Books I've Recently Read #8

I’m finally back with an updated Book Review post! Reading is probably my favorite hobby after cooking, and I love sharing what I’ve been discovering with you. As usual if you want to support a small local bookstore near you and purchase one of these books, you can click the link below and the entire list of books mentioned in this post will be available to shop at Bookshop.org.

My shop with Bookshop.org

Otherwise, you can click the title of each book and shop it on Amazon. (Warning, I do receive a small commission if you choose to use my links, but it does not change the price of the books for you, and helps me keep creating more content for you)!

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

I wish I had read this book before I read The Great Alone and The Nightingale both by Kristin Hannah. I think I would have enjoyed it more because it was just not what I was expecting. I love Kristin Hannah because her writing in those two books truly makes you escape to another time and place. Firefly Lane is more a more modern and typical setting than I’m used to for her, so I think that is what threw me. This is the first in a trilogy I believe, but I haven’t decided if I’m going to continue reading. Not because I didn’t like it, but because there is just so much on my To Be Read list that I’d rather read first. As usual with Kristin Hannah, it was still a page turner and consuming story, just not my favorite from her. With that being said, The Nightingale was hands down the best book I read in 2019, so there’s obviously big shoes to fill and this was written before that.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

I think everybody read this book this year…haha. It was super popular! It was definitely a quick thriller read that you can’t put down, perfect for a vacation. I really liked it. I can see what all the hype was about. I did feel like I could predict some moments, but it still kept me entertained.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Another super popular book that I really enjoyed. If you’ve been following my reading recommendations you know that I love a good WWII era story. This one was very sad but there were moments that were so powerful. I definitely want to read the sequel as well.

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

At this point am I a broken record when I talk about how obsessed with Outlander I am? haha This was the 5th book in the series and again, the longest I’ve read so far. I haven’t picked it back up since I started my reading challenge in June, but I’m excited to get back into it. This is my one exception to the rule of reading only BIPOC authors because if I go too long without reading Outlander, you start forgetting the details. So much happens within these books that they aren’t something you can pick up every now and then and still remember it. I still think Outlander and Voyager are my favorite two so far, but The Fiery Cross was still AMAZING!

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

If you haven’t read this one yet and you are white, you need to because BLACK LIVES MATTER. It’s a great book with a lot of easy to understand information that is so important. Ijeoma touches on some really important topics that should be basic knowledge at this point. It was very eye opening to read. Highly recommend.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

This was probably the most recommended book I’ve seen this year. haha EVERYONE is reading Verity. Again, another fast paced thriller (those seem to be the most popular these days). It definitely had an OMG moment at the end that left you hanging and debating what side you believe of the story.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

When it came time to start my BIPOC reading challenge (you can read more about that in this blog post), I wanted to start with a Maya Angelou classic because I couldn’t believe I had made it through my 30 years without reading it! I had always heard some amazing things about this book and now I know why. Maya has such a gift at evoking such emotion with her words and while at times it was so sad to get through, it really makes you appreciate what you have and the blessings life has given you. I try really hard to incorporate more classics into my ‘Want to Read’ list, and I’m happy I read this one.

How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

This is such a phenomenal book. It is written SO well and has so much important information. I love how Ibram starts more general with the topics, and as the book progresses he gets more and more detailed. This is another must read for anyone wanting to do the work and start learning more about systemic racism and white fragility.

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

One of my big goals with my year long reading challenge, was to read Toni Morrison’s classics. I purchased a special set that included her 3 most popular novels and started with the Bluest Eye. I liked it a lot, however it wasn’t my favorite book. I think this was partly because I had recently read I Know why the Caged Bird Sings and that one really struck me. Of course I think the message is very important and I would still recommend checking it out because Toni Morrison is a phenomenal story teller.

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

With my new BIPOC reading challenge, I’ve been getting into more historical books that teach me about various topics. One topic I really wanted to learn about was the prison system,; it’s history and how it’s currently affecting the country now. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is one of my favorite books I’ve read in a long time because I learned so much. Sometimes these very dense books can be hard to get through because there’s so much to digest, so I was surprised how quickly I got through this one. Michelle Alexander does such a great job of teaching you and keeping you engaged and wanting to know more. If you are wanting to support the Black Lives Matter movement more and understand how the prison system is hurting the black community (WHICH YOU SHOULD) this book has to be on your To Be Read list.

He Said, She Said by Kwame Alexander

I was not expecting this to be a young adult book, which was probably my fault. It was one that I just picked up in one of my book buying sprees. It was a great quick read after such a heavy topic in The New Jim Crow so I’m happy I read it when I did. Kwame Alexander does a great job of writing a modern story line on teens standing up for what they believe in and creating a protest. I think this would be really great for a high schooler to read and discover a perspective other than their own experience.

From Scratch by Tembi Locke

I bought this one in an out of town trip to a small bookstore (one of my favorite things to do). It was sad, but honestly with everything going on in 2020 I feel like this was perfect timing to read. Tembi Locke is an amazing writer. In this book she tells you the story of meeting her Italian husband, his death due to cancer, and the grief that follows. She does a great job of bouncing through different time periods within their relationship which I always love, when it’s done well. She shares her experience of being a black woman marrying an Italian man, which was very important for me to hear; not because I’m black, but because my own Italian family has it’s issues. Reading her experience with the problems of his family not accepting her and the history of Italian families doing things a certain way because that’s the tradition, really hit home for me when reflecting on some of my own family members. The other part that I really loved about this book is how well she describes her grief when her husband dies. I was sobbing when I was reading it because Tembi really puts into words what I would imagine many can’t. While I haven’t experienced this grief that she has, I felt like I was right there with her in it. I wouldn’t recommend this one to someone who has recently been through significant grieving, but maybe down the road this could be healing for them.

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris

I wanted to learn more about Kamala Harris, so I read this one pretty quickly. I liked the format of how the book was written. Sometimes autobiographies can be slow, when you’re working through the beginning parts (i.e. I know Becoming is sometimes a challenge for some to get through in the beginning). However, I found this one particularly easy to get through because the timeline of her stories wasn’t necessarily always sequential. At times it did feel fluffy and obvious that it was written before she wanted to run for president, but I think this just comes with the territory of being a politician. I do feel like I got to know her better and I’m happy she is Biden’s VP running mate for this election!

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

Add this to your list now. I haven’t watched the movie yet (I am a very strict book before movie gal) but I’m super excited for it because this book is amazing. I will say, I’m happy I read The New Jim Crow before I read this one, because I understood the prison system on a deeper level which helped me connect to this book even more. All I can say is the the world needs more people like Bryan Stevenson. It is the perfect mix of storytelling that actually teaches you important lessons.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

I knew this one was going to be a heavy hitter and it did not disappoint. Toni Morrison is such an exceptional writer. Her ability to tell a story and make you feel it, is amazing. This one was really sad, but also really beautiful and important. It was eye opening and there were many times I had to pause and read specific sentences over and over to feel the impact of the words. While Song of Solomon is still on my list (the third book in that trio I purchased), I highly recommend this one to start if you haven’t read any Toni Morrison.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

It took me a second to get into the style of writing for this book, but boy! I see why everyone is obsessing over Elizabeth Acevedo. She can pack a punch with such few words and this story was so powerful. This book is another must read to learn about a perspective different than your own. I cannot wait to buy these books for my future teenage children and I will be buying them for my personal library.

With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo

This was another stellar hit from Acevedo. While this was another Young Adult story, it still had such a powerful message and I think it’s really important that these perspectives are being shared with our young adults today. I loved that this story involved cooking and again Acevedo is really great at creating a powerful story in a short word count. I can’t wait to read more from her.

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

I was really excited for this one to arrive from my online library account (I use Libby) because I had heard such great things about it! However, I didn’t realize how short it was. It’s a multigenerational family story, that is told from multiple perspectives. In the beginning I felt like I wasn’t sure where the story was going and how anything meaningful that didn’t feel rushed could happen, but then the story flipped and you hear a perspective that changes everything. It all then makes sense and looking back I’m glad that it wasn’t any longer. It was insightful and leaves you realizing how without multiple people’s perspectives, it’s impossible to know the entire truth of a situation. We do not know the battles others could be fighting, and it’s important to remember this.

There you have it! 18 of my latest reads. Have you read any of the books I mentioned? What did you think of them? Tell me below in a comment and as always, leave me all of your book recommendations!

PREVIOUS Books I’ve Read Posts:

Books #7

Books #6

Books #5

Books #4

Books #3

Books #2

Books #1

Happy reading,

Andrea

Disclosure: Some of the above links are Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. This does not affect the price of the product on your end. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty

Books I've Recently Read #7

I have been reading so much that I didn’t realize I haven’t recapped what I’ve been reading since last December! So here we are. These are the 18 books that I’ve read so far in 2020. Overall, I’m pretty happy with what I’ve been adventuring through. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve read anything good too, especially because of quarantine!

**As usual, all book titles are clickable links for Amazon. If you’d prefer to support small bookstores local to you, click this link here and you will be sent to my Bookshop.org Book List for this post!**

Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale - by Adam Minter

If you’re interested in learning more about the secondhand world, especially globally, I highly recommend picking this one up. I found it really interesting to see what happens to a lot of things after they go to the trash or to the thrift store. Reading this one helped strengthen my desire to buy less and purchase more secondhand items outside of just clothing.

Miriam’s Kitchen - by Elizabeth Ehrlich

While I don’t know a lot about the Jewish culture, I loved reading this book because it reminded me a lot about growing up in my house. The kitchen was the center of so many family events. I spent so much time at the kitchen counter learning the Italian and Brazilian cultures of my family through cooking. I always enjoy and appreciate a book that explores this idea, especially with a culture I don’t know a lot about.

The Catcher in the Rye - by J.D. Salinger

One of my goals for this year was to read more classics because I’m finding that as an adult I enjoy them so much more, after a bit of life experience. While I didn’t have to read this one in high school, it was fun to devour this book. I think it only took me a few days because I couldn’t put it down. I know this is kind of a love or hate classic, but I personally loved it so much and laughed out loud reading it.

Outlander - by Diana Gabaldon

I will try to keep this short. I have absolutely fallen for Outlander. I haven’t loved a series this much since Harry Potter and will always remember the first time reading it. While I’m still working through the series, I cannot recommend it enough. I will say that this series is better for someone who has a good amount of time to read because there is a lot of information and details to remember. Gabaldon researches heavily to write these books and it’s obvious. So if you can only read a couple pages a day of something, this might not be the time to read this one. The story is amazing and you will quickly be immersed a story of love, science, history, fantasy and so much more. As I review the rest in the series, I will let you know my thoughts on each book, but nothing will ever beat the first one, because it’s where you fall in love with Claire and Jamie and their story.

First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies - by Kate Andersen Brower

I really wanted to love this book but unfortunately it was just ok. After reading Becoming and Eleanor Roosevelt, I really thought this book was going to suck me in because I love learning about first ladies. However, it felt like a long string of facts about them without much of a story line or purpose. While, there was some interesting facts here and there, I wouldn’t rush to read this one anytime soon.

Little Fires Everywhere - by Celeste Ng

I am totally a ‘read the book before the tv show or movie’ girl, so when I heard that this was coming to Hulu I knew I needed to pick it up. I really liked the story and it kept me guessing. Now that I’ve read it though, I don’t find myself desiring to watch the show. Have any of you read it and watched the show? Should I watch it?

The Nickel Boys - Colson Whitehead

I loved Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad so I was excited to read this next piece by him. He is really great at writing historical fiction, which I really love reading. I’ve only read two of his books at this point, so I’m not sure if this is a classic way in which he writes, but I love how he completely shocks you with some detail you didn’t see coming at the end of his books when you think they are over.

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander #2) - by Diana Gabaldon

This was my least favorite Outlander book so far of the four I’ve read, I think because she tackles such a wide time period in this book and jumps around a lot. I know a couple people who have dropped the series after starting this one, so if you are reading it and struggling to keep going because of all the details and info, I can’t stress enough to push through it. The second half is way better than the first and I found myself back in love with the whole story at the end and excited to move forward!

Watching You - by Lisa Jewell

I really liked a Lisa Jewell book that I read last year (Then She Was Gone), so I was excited to pick up a few from her section at the library. This one was just as intriguing as the one I read last year. It kept me on my toes guessing and I finished it in only a couple of days. I still love Then She Was Gone more and recommend you read that one first, but this is a great story too!

I Found You - by Lisa Jewell

While this one was again a classic Lisa Jewell Thriller that alternates between different characters points of view, I liked it the least of her books so far. The story was a little more predictable.

An American Marriage - by Tayari Jones

I can see why everyone was raving so much about this one. The story is so good. It’s heartbreaking at times, but is the perfect example of how life can throw curve balls at you that are no one’s fault. There is power in accepting the cards you’ve been dealt and making the best of them.

Voyager (Outlander #3) - by Diana Gabaldon

I absolutely loved this Outlander book. There are so many moments where you are sucked into Claire and Jamie’s world and you cannot put it down. I liked that Gabaldon took the story onto the waters and into a different climate because it brought something new to the story which I loved.

The Last Romantics - by Tara Conklin

I was worried that this book would be over-hyped but I was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed it. I love stories about families and this one was really interesting. I love a story that is portrayed as a reflection or memory when it’s written well and Conklin did a great job with this.

Such a Fun Age - by Kiley Reid

Now for a book that was VERY over-hyped that I did not understand why everyone loved. I think Reid had a great potential for the story line but it was not executed well. It felt like Reid was trying to write a relatable story, except it felt very fabricated and inauthentic; as if trying to write about an experience that she had no experience with. I’m not assuming anything about her experiences by saying this, just relaying how it felt as a reader. I would not recommend this one.

The Kind Worth Killing - by Peter Swanson

This one was recommended by someone I follow on Instagram and I devoured it quickly. It is an awesome thriller that keeps you on your toes. A little gruesome at times, but it is very unpredictable and I love when a book takes me in a direction I was not expecting.

Drums of Autumn (Outlander #4) - by Diana Gabaldon

My favorite Outlander book so far (besides #1 obviously). I loved where the story headed in this one. There was some amazing reunions that I was hoping for and I cannot wait to see where the story takes me next.

A Week in Winter - by Maeve Binchy

I loved the format of this book, but I was hoping for more. Each chapter is told from the perspective of a character and the story slowly builds as each is introduced. As more characters get involved, the story starts elaborating and it’s cool to see how all of these people’s different perspectives and lives intersect based on this ‘week in winter’. However, I expected it all to be building up to something big in the end and it fell short of that desire. It was still interesting though, and I always appreciate when I read a format that I haven’t seen before.

The Paris Wife - by Paula McLain

I was really excited to dive into this one because Ernest Hemingway is from Michigan and I didn’t know much about him. While this story was a fictionalized story of his first marriage to Hadley Hemingway, it was hard to get through at points because I felt like it was somehow lacking. While I know historical fiction can be a difficult genre to write, I have preferred other books more.

Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts on them below in the comments. Also, let me know what you’ve bee reading! I always love adding to my ‘Want to Read’ list on GoodReads!

Happy reading,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty. 

Books I've Recently Read #6

Here is the latest edition of what I’ve been reading the last few months! Let me know in a comment below what you’ve been reading. As usual, the titles are links to the books if you’d like to purchase on Amazon. Happy Reading!

BECOMING by Michelle Obama:

I mean, how can you not love Michelle Obama? This book really sparked my interest in the stories of First Women. While I think the beginning could have been condensed a little, I loved the message of the whole book. I finished the book feeling very inspired and highly recommend that all women read it.

THE GREAT ALONE by Kristin Hannah:

This and the next book were both recommended to me by a friend who’s book recommendations I trust and I could not agree more with her. The great alone was unique story that takes place in Alaska. It tackles the issues of PTSD, alcoholism, and so much more, while showing the strength of women!

THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah:

This was my favorite book that I read in 2019 (aside from finishing the Harry Potter series….because duh!) If you love fiction stories during the WWII time period, I highly recommend this one. I liked it more than All the Light We Cannot See which I read earlier this year. Put it on your to do list.

MIDDLESEX by Jeffrey Eugenides:

This is such a unique story that I grew up seeing the title of and finally at 29 decided to cross it off my to-read list. This book is such a great mix of coming of age, family history, and genetics! This is another one that I think everyone should read.

PRIDE & PREJUDICE by Jane Austen:

I had never read or watched Pride and Prejudice before reading this and I’m so glad I decided to finally. Mikey gifted me my copy for our anniversary last year, and I finally got around to reading it! At first I wasn’t too into the story, but towards the end I found my self pacing around my house and staying up until it was done! It’s another classic that you have to read.

COLD TANGERINES by Shauna Niequist:

I had really high expectations for this one, since I’ve read ‘Bread & Wine’ also by Niequist and loved that. However, I had a hard time getting through this easy read. It seemed pretty repetitive and didn’t captivate me like her other book did.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE by Lori Gottlieb:

I reserved this one at the library due to everyone hyping it up! I was so worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype, but boy did it! I loved the different perspectives shown regarding therapy, and that it was written by a therapist who shared her experience in therapy as well. I love that more books are being written on mental health and recommend that you read this one as well.

IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT by Judy Blume:

I haven’t read a Judy Blume book in YEARS and happened to stumble across this one while browsing the new releases at the library one day. The back cover summary intrigued me and the book didn’t disappoint. It usually like books that are written from many characters’ perspectives, so I liked how this one was reading. It was a pretty easy read.

LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott:

I haven’t read little women since I was little and while I know the story really well, I had to re-read it once I heard the movie was being remade. Any other 90’s babies here that were obsessed with the Winona Ryder and Christian Bale version? I have probably watched it about 100 times. This book never disappoints and I am so excited for the new movie to come out next week on Christmas!

SUPPER CLUB by Lara Williams:

This was another random library find. You know how much I love cooking so I figured with a title like ‘Supper Club’ it has to be good! haha While the story was completely different than I expected, it’s nice to read a book that is different and unpredictable. However, I wouldn’t necessarily urge you to run out and get it if you have others on your list already.

STAY AND FIGHT by Madeline Ffitch:

This story reminded me a lot of ‘The Great Alone’ mainly because it has a similar ‘women living off grid and having to survive’ vibe going on. If I hadn’t read ‘The Great Alone’ so recently I think I would have enjoyed this one more, because that one was just SO good. Another book that left me feeling pretty meh and lukewarm.

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, VOL 1 (1884-1933) by Blanche Wiesen Cook:

This was one of three books Mikey bought me for our anniversary this year and I sprinted through it. I was captivated by the story of Eleanor Roosevelt and think that Cook did a remarkable job telling her story. I can’t wait to dive into Vol 2 soon (thankfully Mikey bought me both). I think every woman should read her story, but especially if you are an entrepreneur. Her story is so inspiring and it’s amazing how ahead of the times she was. Highly highly highly recommend. Definitely in my Top 5 of 2019.

THE SECRETS WE KEPT by Lara Prescott:

This is one I kept seeing pop up around social media so I threw it on my requests list at the library and next thing I knew it was my turn to read it. I enjoyed it, but I’ve read better this year. I think the time period it takes place during (Cold War) is interesting, but it just wasn’t one I couldn’t put down. Not bad but not in my top 5 of the year.

Tell me what you’re reading and what the best book you read this year was! If you’d like to see some of the other books I’ve read since the beginning of 2018, click on the links below to see my other reviews!

Book’s I’ve Read Recenty #1

Books I’ve Read Recently #2

Books I’ve Read Recently #3

Books I’ve Read Recently #4

Books I’ve Read Recently #5

Happy reading friends!

-Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty. 

My Holiday Wish List

Can you believe it’s almost Christmas?! I can’t. I’m not a big Gift Guide person, but I LOVE reading what people are actually wishing for this holiday season. For this reason, I’ve created a list with links (click the titles), of some items I’d be so grateful to receive this year. And YES I totally realize this is not a very FUN Christmas list, but when you’re almost 30, the holidays become a time when you’re excited to fill your home with things you actually need.

PLANNER AND PEN ORGANIZER:

I am planner obsessed. I would be nowhere without my planner that I hand write in every day. For the past few years I have created my own customized planner from Maydesigns, but this year for 2020 I purchased a dated and already designed planner (More to come on in a dedicated post soon). I am so excited for my new planner but it’s one downside is that it doesn’t have a space for me to hold my pens and stickers and such. Therefore, I’m asking for this organizer so I can put my planner inside and carry everything I need with me wherever I go. Any guesses as to what planner I decided on? Stay tuned until later this month to find out.

BOOK BUCKET LIST POSTER:

I purchased the movie version of this poster for Mikey last year for Christmas and we are still obsessed with it. Since we know what a reader I am, I also am hoping to get this one (cough, dad or Mikey, cough). I love that these are more interactive than a traditional list and they make a great stocking stuffer too! (Hint hint as to what post is coming next week….)

SOURDOUGH BREAD MAKING SUPPLIES:

One of my big goals for 2020 is to perfect how to make my own sourdough bread. Good bread making is a true art and I have been waiting until I am debt free to purchase the supplies to get started on this goal. There are some basic supplies you need and I really hope I get some of them.

• Bread Proofing Basket and Scraper

• Dutch Oven for bread baking

• 2-Six QT Container w/ Lid for Dough and starter storage.

GIFT CARD TO THRIFTBOOKS.COM:

Are we shocked at all that this is on my list? I will never stop buying books and I LOVE buying them through thriftbooks so that I am purchasing secondhand!

BOOKLIGHT:

I can’t believe I don’t own a book light but I figured it was time I ask for one. Very often I’m reading in a room that is dim at night and I hate turning on big and bright lights so I can see better. This one from Amazon looks nice and adorable.

RUNNING SOCKS:

Yes I actually have socks on my Christmas list this year. Hahah talk about feeling almost 30! My favorite brand has been discontinued but these pairs look similar to the ones I love. I prefer a tab on the back of my socks for optimal comfort when I’m running or cycling.

APRON:

Would you believe that I don’t own an apron? I guess I just embrace the mess when I’m cooking, but since I started Biscuit Sunday a few months ago, I have decided that it is time to own an apron. I love the look of a neutral gray or cream apron!

What is on your wish list this year? Leave me a comment below and let me know! I am doing my best to gift as much as I can from small businesses or secondhand ways. Don’t forget to shop small this holiday season and support those you know and love!

Have a great holiday season,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a small commission off the purchase of the product through my link. This does not affect the price of the product. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

Books I've Read Recently #5

I’m not going to lie. This book post is kind of sad. Not because of the books, I loved the books! More so because I just haven’t been reading like I normally do the past few months. I’ll explain more later as you read because I’m 100% blaming it on a book I was reading… (Click the book titles for links to the books)

BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (By Truman Capote):

I can’t believe I had never read this one yet. I watched the movie years ago, but couldn’t really remember the story. I spotted it at the library one morning and decided now was the time. It’s a quick read and an interesting one. I feel like it’s one of those that everyone just has to read because it’s such a classic. Now I want to watch the movie again.

CALL THE MIDWIFE: A TRUE STORY OF THE EAST END IN THE 1950’S (By Jennifer Worth):

I absolutely adored this book. Apparently the PBS show that is based on these books (this is the first of a few) is really great too, so I’m excited to add that to my list. I loved hearing all the different stories about being a midwife in the Post-War East End of England. I was actually surprised how advanced they were with childbirth and everything they did at people’s homes. I will probably end up reading the rest of the series later on. If you are interested in childbirth, science, or just love this time period (I’m all of the above haha) I would definitely recommend this one.

BIG LITTLE LIES (By Liane Moriarty):

This was another one that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t read yet. I will say it was a little predictable. I totally called what was going to happen, I just didn’t know it was going to go down the way it did. I’m a big believer in reading the book before the movies/tv shows so you bet I haven’t seen the HBO series yet. I am also terrible at watching TV shows unless Mikey is encouraging it, so I want to get to this one eventually too. I really loved the book and it was a quick read. Great if you need a vacation read this summer!

THEN SHE WAS GONE (By Lisa Jewell):

This is another that would make for a great vacation read. I think I read it in two days because I was so sucked into it. This was a book chosen for my book club and I loved it. I don’t know if I would have ever come across it otherwise, because I’d never heard of it. It’s another thriller that will keep you guessing. I love when a book surprises me with a story line and this was definitely one of those!

THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY: MURDER, MAGIC AND MADNESS AT THE FAIR THE CHANGED AMERICA (By Erik Larson):

One of my best friends (Thanks Margie!) recommended I read this one when I met up with her last summer in Chicago and I was happy to finally snag a copy from the library to read. I absolutely LOVED this one. It’s kind of hard to get through at some parts, but keep going. It’s definitely one of those that you have to read frequently so that the names and facts stay fresh in your mind, but I learned so much about the history of Chicago, the Ferris Wheel and the huge fair. It was written really well. I have another Erik Larson book on my shelf that I’m excited to read now because I love his writing. The only thing that made me sad was that I wished that the two main stories (one about the fair and the other about the murderer), intertwined a little more. It felt like a lot of buildup, but then the stories didn’t mix as much as I assumed they would. If you like history and love Chicago, this is a must read.

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING (By Delia Owens):

Another one that I read super quickly because I was so sucked into it. This one reminded me so much of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’. Not because of the story line, but the way it’s written and some of the characters and such made me think of it. I was so excited to hear that it will be becoming a movie because I think it’s going to be great.

THE SHAPE OF WATER (By Guillermo del Toro):

This is the book that ruined me the last few months. I renewed it from the library three times before finally giving up. I just couldn’t get through it. I HATE not finishing books because I’m always hopeful they will turn around, but I was so uninterested in this one that it made me not want to read. I finally told myself to return it and move on to something I was excited to dive into. It probably didn’t help that I had a lot of people telling me that they hated the movie, so it didn’t give me much hope that things would turn around. I doubt I’ll ever watch the movie or pick the book back up at a later time.

ANIMALS (By Emma Jane Unsworth):

This was another book club book and I have to say it was my least favorite that we’ve read so far. The summary on GoodReads seemed so good, so I’m surprised that I didn’t enjoy it that much. The book wasn’t that long and it took forever for anything to start happening which frustrated me. I will say though, it ended better than I thought it would and I didn’t predict it, which is a huge determining factor in if I love a book. However, I’d say this one is a skip.

What have you been reading so far this summer? Let me know in the comments below and happy summer reading!!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

11 Things With Andrea #2

Let’s just jump right into it!

1. I recently tried Fabletics for the first time and overall I loved my first purchase. I got two pairs of cropped leggings, one full length pair, and a sports bra that zipped up the front. I was really hoping to find a sport’s bra that was thick and good quality (the zipper ones usually are for higher impact sports), but unfortunately the fabric is just too thin to be super supportive. I LOVED the leggings though. The trinity high-waisted leggings are amazing. I highly recommend them. I asked you guys on IG your thoughts on Fabletics and most of you said that it’s not really great for sports bra, but the leggings and tops are awesome! While it is a monthly subscription I don’t think I’ll be purchasing every month (you can skip months), because I’m pretty set with leggings for now!

2. I have been reading a lot recently (I’m on my 6th book for the month if that tells you anything). I did a book post recently (click here to check it out) and I’m excited to have some extra time next week to relax and read because the families I nanny for are on spring break! I picked up ‘The Shape of Water’, ‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘The Devil in the White City’ from the library and you all voted for me to start with ‘Big Little Lies’! I’m excited to read all three of these so make sure to check back in a little while to see my review on them.

3. I currently have a GIVEAWAY going for a $100 Gift Certificate to JORD watches! If you haven’t entered it yet, CLICK HERE to check out the watch I was gifted for Mikey (my sweet watch obsessed other half). You don’t want to miss out on this awesome chance to win! You also get a 10% off code for entering so what do you have to lose?

4. Wedding season begins this Saturday. While I had one wedding in January, this weekend starts the doing something almost every weekend for weddings and I AM SO EXCITED! I love my brides! I only have 2 Saturdays left and many Fridays and Sundays available so if you’re a 2019 bride who still needs a makeup artist, please contact me ASAP! (Click the CONTACT tab in the menu on the left).

5. I’m really excited to be on track to be under $10,000 in debt by my 29th birthday this May (my goal is to be debt free by 30, which I am also on track for)! I know I don’t talk about it a lot on here, but for all of you working your butts off to become debt free, I AM WITH YOU! It’s probably my biggest goal that I’m working towards every day and if you’re also going through it, I know the struggles and tough work it takes. WE CAN DO IT!

6. Please send all Netflix/Hulu/Prime recommendations my way. Like I mentioned before I have spring break coming up and am going to attempt to watch something since I suck at it. Working on learning how to be comfortable being relaxed and lazy, but it’s a process.

7. I’m happy to report my anxiety is much lower than it was in January and February. I know I talked about it a lot on my IG and a little here, but if you don’t see me talking about it as much as I was, just know it is always something I am dealing with and working with. You are not alone. Always message me if you want to talk to someone.

8. I’ve been trying a lot of new to me products from Drunk Elephant, Herbivore Botanicals, Tarte, Mad Hippie, etc and I’m excited to put together a post devoted to what I liked/ didn’t like.

9. Cookbook writing is still coming along well! Every week I feel like I see the vision of my final cookbook becoming a little stronger which is really exciting. To all of you who consistently ask me how it’s going and are as excited as I am…you will NEVER know how much I truly appreciate your support and love. I am writing this cookbook for you and I think you’re going to love it! If you haven’t already signed up for cookbook updates, please click here to be added to my email list!

10. If you’re in the Midwest, you’ve been experiencing some lovely SUN the last few weeks and it’s been AMAZING! Am I the only one who’s always constantly amazed at how much it affects our mood. We are different people when the sun is out and I love it! Spring is my favorite season so I’m excited to return to running outdoors and stopping to check up on all the blooms.

11. If you caught Samin Nosrat’s phenomenal Netflix series, ‘Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat’ you might have checked out her cookbook of the same name. If you checked out her cookbook you probably oo’ed and aaah’ed at the beautiful artwork in it. I preordered these TO DIE FOR prints from the cookbook and if you need some extra kitchen art (I’m planning a beautiful kitchen gallery wall) you NEED to order these prints. They are so inexpensive for what beauty they really are!

12. BONUS: This last one isn’t about me. It’s about you. You’re great. And I hope you’ll keep coming around to read what I write. I still get such amazing messages from you all about how my content is inspiring you and lifting you up and all I can say is, YOU are the one inspiring and lifting me up when you say these things. You are great! Thank you

Have the best weekend you tootie cutie patootie people,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

Books I've Recently Read #4

I’m back again with my last 10 reads! I love how much you guys love these posts. Reading a lot is one of the many gains I have added to my life since quitting my job and owning my own business. As always, be sure to leave me good recommendations in the comments!

CLICK EACH BOOK TITLE TO BUY ON AMAZON***

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS (by J.K. Rowling): I started my year off with finishing the Harry Potter series for the first time. In case you missed me talking about it on my Instagram, it truly changed my life. I totally understand why people are so obsessed with it. I cannot recommend enough for you to read the series if you haven’t. I also watched the movies which I obviously loved but not as much as the books. At first I was upset with myself for waiting until 28 to read them, but I really think I was meant to read them at this age. I am excited read them every few years and relive the magic again.

ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE (by Anthony Doerr): I have a fascination for the WWII time period (Shout out to everyone else who had Molly the American Girl Doll. I think this is where my fascination started)! When it came time for me to pick the monthly book club book I picked this one because it was rated really well and I love this era. I absolutely adored this book, but everyone else in the group while still liking it, wasn’t quite as obsessed as I was. I will say it does take a good 150 or more pages to get really into it. I was just in awe of how well Doerr was able to write from the perspective of a blind girl in France during WWII. I’m super excited that it is being turned into a Netflix Miniseries, but you know I’m going to tell you to read it first if you want to watch that! The book is ALWAYS better….haha

BREAD AND WINE: A LOVE LETTER TO LIFE AROUND THE TABLE (by Shauna Niequist): One of my best friends put this in my hands and said READ THIS, so I did! I absolutely loved the stories and the format of this book. Every chapter is a story and a recipe that relates to it. I think this book is a must for anyone who treasures a meal around the table with the ones they love, but also any woman from late 20’s to 30’s. It has a lot of great quotes and meaningful stories that hit home. I also picked up Cold Tangerines, by the same author, so read soon.

INTO THE DARKEST CORNER (by Elizabeth Haynes): This was my February Book Club read. This is not a typical genre of book for me to read, but I was really excited to read something that I normally wouldn’t. It’s a thriller and if you like intense page-turners, this book is great. It’s intense until the last page. If you like thrillers this is a must. If you don’t normally read this type, I think it’s a good one to switch it up with.

THE LIBRARY BOOK (by Susan Orlean): If you are a book and library lover, you HAVE to read this one. I was excited to receive it as a gift for Christmas, and was in love with how Orlean formatted and wrote the book. It’s a great mix of history of the LA Public Library, information of the mystery of the LA Public Library Fire of 1986, and look at how the library operates today. My only complaint is that some of the chapters on the history of establishing the library were a little too detailed and long. I preferred the chapters on the fire mystery and what libraries do for us today, more! If you love libraries and want to learn more about the magical buildings they are, pick this one up!

COMMONWEALTH (by Ann Patchett): I stumbled upon this one at my library and since it seemed like I was the only one who hadn’t read it yet, I checked it out. I was really excited to read it, since I’d heard so many people rave about it, but I honestly wasn’t a fan. I felt like many of the chapters went in circles and nothing really happened. I normally love when books cross into different decades, but this one just felt too spaced out and like I wanted to know more. If you’ve read this one, I’m curious to know what you thought of it.

THE CROWNS OF CROSWALD (D. E. Night): I was sent this book by the Publisher for free to review on Goodreads (Let’s be friends on it if we’re not already), but sadly I didn’t love it. I think if I hadn’t just recently finished Harry Potter with details fresh in my head, I would have enjoyed it more. I couldn’t help but compare every character/location/detail, to a Harry Potter equivalent. It felt like the exact same story as Sorcerer’s Stone and that made me sad. I will say the author did a great job describing some magical details that helped them come alive, but I just couldn’t get past the Harry Potter similarities unfortunately.

AM I THERE YET? THE LOOP-DE-LOOP, ZIGZAGGING JOURNEY TO ADULTHOOD (by Mari Andrew): Stop righ there, click the link and go buy this book. It is A MUST. It’s a super quick read (I read it in a day). I think every woman should own a copy and re-read it once a year. The watercolors are beautiful and the content is just so freaking relatable. I think it would be the perfect gift for someone in college or just after graduating, because it talks about the topics of moving to a new city, finding your home, finding yourself, dating, loss, and so much more. It will definitely be a book I leave out on my coffee table for friends to peruse when they are over. Thank you to my best friend Emily for giving this to me for my birthday last year. She just knows me so well.

GO SET A WATCHMAN (by Harper Lee): I reread ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ in my book club in December and loved it so much more than I ever remembered. I was really excited to read this sequel because my good friend Sammy said I needed to read it. I am so grateful that she told me to because so many people HATED it. haha Don’t read the reviews on Goodreads. On it’s own, I don’t think the book is that great, but as a sequel it is awesome. I think it does such a great job of following up with Jean Louis ‘Scout’ Finch after all of those years. I learned that this title is what Harper Lee wanted to originally name ‘TKAM’ so I found that really interesting. If you haven’t read TKAM since high school days, please do yourself a favor and reread it & then read this one just to see how it ends.

Have you read any good books recently that I should add to my Want To Read section of Goodreads? Comment below and let me know!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

Books I've Read Recently #3

I realized the other day while I was wrapped up in a cozy blanket and yet another book, that I haven’t shared what I’ve been reading recently. If you’re anything like me, you love to see what people are reading so I am back today with quite the long list of books I’ve recently read. As usual, I’ll share a few cookbooks at the end as well. I am pretty proud of how many I read this year.

In case you missed the big announcement over on Instagram and Facebook, I am writing and publishing a cookbook of my very own! I’m still in the writing process, but if you’d like to be the first to know any updates with the book, please CLICK HERE to be added to the list. I’m excited to share more of this adventure with you all in the coming months.

THE FEMALE PERSUASION by Meg Wolitzer: I really liked how this book highlighted the role of a mentor and how we can sometimes build things into such fantasies in our heads. This was one that kept me intrigued the whole time and I couldn’t put it down. I honestly picked it up because I was drawn to the cover, but was pleasantly surprised to see how much I enjoyed the story. It felt very relatable  for those fresh out of college figuring out what they want to do with their lives.

EDUCATED by Tara Westover: I was in awe of the author’s story in this book. It’s a memoir and tells the story of the childhood, growth and success of Tara Westover. It truly leaves you feeling like if she can accomplish whatever she put her mind to, so can you. I found her story so interesting and I think you will too.

ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE by Gail Honeyman: This one has gotten a lot of buzz this year and I can definitely see why. Talk about a book with a plot twist! I was sucked into this one and read it in a few days. I really shows how in order to survive you have to open your heart. I heard it’s being made into a movie so if you are a ‘read before you watch’ kind of girl like me, get on this one!

SHARP OBJECTS by Gillian Flynn: After the HBO show came out, I knew I wanted to read this book before I watched the series. It was a quick and easy read for me and I really liked it. The ending was different than I had predicted and I always love being surprised by a book like that. I still need to watch the show because I LOVE Amy Adams.

THE SPY by Paulo Coelho: I hated this one. I really thought I would like it but it was just really boring and hard to get into. It tells the story of Mata Hari, and how she became this incredibly talented spy. While it’s fun to read about a woman who was able to snake her way in and out of relationships and places she didn’t belong, I would say skip this one.

THIS HOUSE IS HAUNTED by John Boyne: If you read my previous book posts, you might notice that I read John Boyne’s newest book earlier this year. I loved that one and while I did like this one, it was a completely different style of book. It’s a haunted thriller (duh Andrea…look at the title), but it wasn’t as scary as I had been hoping.

HARRY POTTER AND THE (SORCERER’S STONE, CHAMBER OF SECRETS, PRISONER OF AZKABAN, GOBLET OF FIRE) by J.K. Rowling: I am 28 years old and had never read anything Harry Potter before this year. My boyfriend finally convinced me that with as much reading as I do, there was no excuse not to pick up the books. So I did it. I technically am on the 6th book but read #5 this year in 2019, so it’s not included here. You guessed it; I have become a complete Harry Potter nerd and I am obsessed with everything, especially all of the fine details. I can say it, I LOVE HARRY POTTER.

THE ALCHEMIST by Paulo Coelho: I finally read this one after hearing basically everyone I know talk about what a classic book it is. I really did like it, but I don’t know if it was because it was so hyped up for me that it wasn’t really what I expected. I’d say if you haven’t it’s a great story that you can get through really quickly.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee: My good friends and I started our own book club in December which I am very grateful for. First up was this classic and I’m happy we read it. I’m sure 99% of you reading this had to read it at some point in school. I remembered nothing about it except the name Boo Radley, and was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up loving this book. I highly recommend picking it up and visiting others that you may have read when you were at a different point of your life. I find it fascinating to see how different books can affect us just based on what stage of life we are going through.

SALT, FAT, ACID, HEAT by Samin Nosrat: I practically worship the ground Samin walks on at this point haha. If you haven’t watched her Netflix series of the same title, do it now. Then go buy this cookbook. I think EVERY cook needs to have this in the kitchen. It’s full of knowledge and I really think it would help those who want to feel more comfortable in the kitchen.

THE SOPRANOS FAMILY COOKBOOK by Artie Bucco & Allen Rucker: I have found myself referring to this book a lot in the recent months for classic Italian recipes. Fun fact: Mikey bought me this book awhile ago because he always gets hungry when he watches the Sopranos. haha It’s a good one and if you like good Italian food, highly recommend. I’ve been thinking recently about cooking my way through an entire cookbook, and this one might be the one I do it with.

Share in the comments below what you’ve been reading and loving! Book recommendations are something I will NEVER stop wanting.

Happy reading,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

April Obsessions

I cannot believe we are already at the end of another month. I feel like I was sharing my March Must Haves with you last week, but here we are! April was an interesting month for me. It was jam packed as I'm gearing up for bridal season and doing trials and prep for all of the weddings I have booked this year. Regardless, I managed to try more products this month than normal, so I'm here to share the things I was obsessing over this month.

Weleda Skin Food is a moisturizer that I've known about for years but never remembered to pick up. It has seriously been on my wish list for 2 years but I always manage to get something else instead. It wasn't until I started doing my skincare cleanout that I realized that it was a 0 (aka really clean) and I saw one of my favorite makeup artists to follow on Instagram (@katiejanehughes) use it in a live makeup tutorial underneath her makeup for glow. Once these both happened, I knew I finally needed it and I am kind of pissed at myself for living this long without it. First off, the smell is amazing and citrus-y and clean smelling. It is a very thick cream designed for really dry and even chapped areas. At night I like to add it just in the areas where I have dryness or fine lines. If I use it like Katie Jane does, I put it on my cheekbones under foundation to give me more glow and it works so well. Check out my latest YouTube video here when I show you how I use it before applying my makeup.

Thriftbooks.com has become my newest obsession! One of my favorite things to do is visit a used bookstore and peruse the shelves to see what they hold. One day I discovered Thriftbooks.com and it's like going to a used bookstore and finding exactly the book you wanted. I cannot believe how many different books they have. You can choose different levels of wear for different prices. I've gotten some great $20+ books for under $4. It's insane! I love to buy my cookbooks here because they are so much cheaper. Plus I feel good about buying used instead of new. My favorite thing is the wish list option because anytime I see a book I want, I add it too my wish list so I don't forget. If it's not in stock, I get emails letting me know when it is which is awesome! If you use this code here you can get 15% off your first order (P.S. I do not make any money off of these links)! 

I bought a Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise mascara a few months ago because I had been hearing such great things about it but it never quite made it into my makeup bag to use until the last few weeks. I have to say I was surprised how much I like this one. It's supposed to be the dupe for Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara which I do not like, so I didn't have high hopes for Lash Paradise. I have to say I love it as much as the original Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black. The brush is nice and gives both length and volume similar to Voluminous. I'm happy to say it's not flaky like I find the Better Than Sex mascara to be. 

I know I've only had the Fenty Beauty Matchstix Matte Skinstick in Amber for 10 days, BUT I'M OBSESSED. If you missed me freaking out over it in my most recent YouTube video, click here to watch it. This cream contour stick is so blendable, but not only is it easy to use, it is the perfect shade for contouring. It creates the best shadow on the face and I love using it. I can tell you this is a product I will be using so much in the summer for a dewy, bronzed glow. I cannot wait. 

I am a member of Grove Collaborative and am obsessed with it. It's a company that specializes in more natural products for cleaning, body care, skincare, and more for your home! I like it because if I don't need anything that month I can delay my shipment as long as I need. Last month they gave me a free lip balm in my order and I am obsessed with it! It's not too greasy, but moisturizes my lips super well. I love the oval shape to it, because I can apply to both my top and bottom lips at the same time. The best part is that it is super clean! No toxic ingredients and has a minty refreshing scent. I love it! Click here for the Mint & Argan Lip Balm.  If you want to sign up for Grove, use this link to get a free 5-piece gift set! 

So there we have my favorites for April! Short but sweet. I can guarantee I will have many more favorites in May because I am testing out some awesome products right now. Leave a comment below and let me know what you loved this month!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Books I've Read in 2018 #1

Welcome back! 

I used to share my favorite books in my monthly favorites post, but you guys requested that I save them for a quarterly book post instead. Seeing as one of my goals of 2018 was to read more, I think this is a great idea because I actually have a good sized list of recommendations. I will always include my favorite cookbooks as well, because those are a huge part of my life. #extremecookbookaddict

Each title will be a link to the book for you to purchase to make things easier for you! These links will be amazon associate links that allow you to purchase the book at the same price but support Andrea Fontana Beauty at the same time! (Mega thanks to all who use these links as you keep my wallet ready to support my love for testing new products and recipes). But to the books we go!

"The Heart's Invisible Furies" by John Boyne:  This was the first book I devoured in 2018. I say devoured because I was sucked in from the first 5 pages and barely came up for air until I reached the last of over 500 pages. I was captivated by the story of Cyril Avery and I hope you will be too. I mentioned it a few times in January, but am sharing again because they recently released a more inexpensive paperback copy and I highly recommend you go get it! 

"Better than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives" by Gretchen Rubin:  Gretchen Rubin wrote "The Happiness Project" which I remember being super popular but I never read it. I liked the overall message of this book about the wrong and right ways to develop new habits for yourself, but I don't know if I would follow the specifics. It sometimes felt a little repetitive. Overall, I recommend it if you struggle with creating new habits and would like to gain some perspective on how to be better at it. 

"You are a Badass" by Jen Sincero: I feel like this book was super popular last year and it lived on my 'To Read' list on my phone but never made it further than that. I came across it when I was scanning my dad's home library (we're talking like thousands of books to read...aka heaven), picking out new reads for my trip to Florida in February. I loved this one and see why it was so popular. It was quick and easy to get through (I only deem books this if I can read them in a week) and I found myself needing to take notes because there were so many quotes I needed to remember. I feel like this is one that I will want to have a copy of on hand for future reference.

"Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World" by Michael Hyatt:  I already have a permanent copy coming in the mail of this one because I checked it out from the library and know that I will want this one for future reference. If you are trying to sell a product, business, anything you NEED this one. Especially bloggers! I cannot recommend it enough. A very wise woman who I met when I joined a Women's Entrepreneurship group recommended it and I cannot put it down. It's full of important info from 'How to write your bio' to 'How to Keep Conversations Civil'. I just love it. 

And now for the cookbooks....(TOP 3)

"250 True Italian Pasta Dishes: Easy and Authentic Recipes" by John Colette & Nancy Ryan: If you love pasta you need this one. There's a section on quick 30 minute dishes, recipes for fresh pasta, and more. I use it most when I have a few specific veggies or protein that I need to use up and want to create a quick and delicious pasta dish. I just look up my ingredient in the index and I usually have a few recipes to choose from. It was inspired by one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago called Quartino. 

"Eat Beautiful: Food and Recipes to Nourish Your Skin From Inside Out" by Wendy Rowe: This one was written by one of my favorite makeup artists and highly recommend it for those of you who are into skincare and makeup. I firmly believe in nutrition being a huge part of your skincare routine so this is a must have for me. It's divided into seasons and the beginning of each sections highlights ingredients of the season and how they benefit the skin and body. Wendy eats according to what is in season, so I love this one for those of us who try to do the same! Thank you always to my best friend Emily for gifting me a cookbook last year on my birthday that is so ME!

"Bobby Flay Fit: 200 Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle" by Bobby Flay: I know this one probably doesn't come as a shock, but I'm still cooking from it all the time. I have so many favorite recipes from this one and while it's only a few months old, based on the wear and tear it looks like I've had it for years. If you don't want to sacrifice flavor for health and want to get more into using different types of spices I highly recommend this one.

What have you read so far in 2018? Comment below and let me know! I'm always looking for more book recommendations!

Have a beautiful weekend,

Andrea

January Favorites

I'm back with some favorites from the month of January! As you know, I had a rocky start to the new year but I'm happy to say that things have turned around and the second half of the month was amazing! The thing I am most proud of this month is that some of my friendships have grown tremendously and I feel like I went through a lot of self growth. One of my favorite YouTubers mentioned that she often finds that the greatest things come out of challenges and I feel like my January was a great example of this. What was your biggest accomplishment this past month? Leave a comment below and let me know! I'd love to congratulate you on your journey!

Now for the favorites! I'm trying a new style this month as I've become an Amazon Associate recently. This means that if you buy products through these links I will earn a small commission. If that bothers you, feel free to find the products separately. If you choose to buy, THANK YOU for supporting Andrea Fontana Beauty! You are awesome! Let me know how you like this format!

I don't have a Trader Joe's by me but had heard quite the buzz about this seasoning all over. Luckily a store opened up recently in the city I'm from so when I went home for Christmas I made sure to pick up two bottles because I knew I would love it. I put it on everything; hard boiled eggs, avocado toast, homemade bagels, and more! I highly recommend trying it out ASAP!

If you follow me on Instagram, this first favorite probably comes as no surprise! I received a cookbook (Bobby Flay Fit) that I wanted SO badly, from my beautiful friend Sammy! I have made so many recipes already from it and have loved them all. I highly recommend if you are looking to eat a healthier way but don't want to sacrifice flavor. I use it so much that I even burnt an imprint of the coil from my stove burner into the cover by accident (haha!). Be sure to follow my Instagram (www.instagram.com/andreafontanabeauty) to laugh with me at my daily adventures!

I've already mentioned this next favorite a few posts back, but I finished it in only 2 weeks and I CANNOT recommend it enough. Don't let the almost 600 pages scare you away from this amazing story of the life of Cyril Avery growing up in Ireland. It's written well and I couldn't put it down; sometimes getting lost in the pages for hours at a time. 

I received a sample of this facial oil a little while back and when my coveted Rosehip oil ran out and I didn't have any on hand, I grabbed this one and have loved it all month! It's a dry oil made up of Vitamins E and B, apricot kernel oil, coconut oil, and wheat germ oil. I love how it sunk into my skin quickly and didn't leave me feeling greasy which is nice for day time. I love to put on oils with Anti-oxidants to help combat free radicals and pollution throughout the day! You only need a few drops to apply so this bottle would last a long time!

This is my favorite hair product of the moment. It was recommended by a friend Ashley, who is a cosmetologist (as you know I know nothing about hair and rely on friends for help in that area haha). I love this finishing spray because it smells awesome, gives my hair some shine and a slight hold. It's definitely not as strong as a hairspray, but I love it to tame my style when I actually do my hair. It doesn't leave any crazy residues, which I love. 

Love, love love this moisturizer. I've mentioned it before, but it's my go to in colder months or when I've been sick. I had a cold at the beginning of the month and blew my nose so many times that the skin around it was raw and red. This moisturizer saved me (due to the colloidal oatmeal). I highly recommend it for dry skin that can be sensitive. It's one I always keep on hand in case I'm feeling dry.

This one's a classic that I always go back to at least once a year and apparently January was that time. It's great for thick, voluminous lashes and always makes my lashes look amazing. I'm not sure why I ever get away from it haha. Why do we always have to try new mascaras as women? 

I contemplated writing an entire post devoted to these babies, but I couldn't hold off on telling you about them any longer. They are heaven sent if you get blemishes. Always keep them on hand. They are little nude/clear stickers that you put over a blemish at night when you go to sleep. I like to do it before I put my moisturizer on so that they stick well and then apply moisturizer around it afterwards. The trick with these is that you have to wait until there is a white head, then it pulls everything out as you're sleeping and you'll see the white color change in the morning on the sticker. The blemish will still be red in the morning, but it is always so much flatter if not completely flat from pulling everything out. I can't recommend them enough! 

Another favorite worth mentioning is the product that I did a First Impression on in my most recent YouTube video! Click here to watch it! It's the Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Creme Bronzer in Warm Tan. I love this product for everyday makeup use! Also while you're at it subscribe to my YouTube channel 'Andrea Fontana Beauty' to stay notified when I post new videos for you!

As usual, leave a comment below sharing any new products you loved this month so we can all learn from each other!

I hope you have a wonderful February,

Andrea

Dre Does February Favorites

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Happy March friends! We're officially one month closer to spring and warmer weather! While that is one of my favorites I'm here with the things I loved most in the month of February. 

1. tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara: In February, tarte sent out a coupon code for valentines day so I took the opportunity to pick up their Christmas gift set I had wanted since it was already marked down. It came with two of these mascaras and I'm obsessed. It lengthens and volumizes so well and I feel like it holds curl really well too. The only con is that it's a little more difficult to get off at night than some of my other favorite mascaras but it's nothing compared to Benefit's They're Real, so that's good. I gave my sister a tarte eye set for Christmas and this came in it and she's obsessed too! While it is $19, I think it's a great mascara to keep on hand even if you use it only for special occasions. 

2. Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstic in 01: I love the finish of these lipsticks. Great pigmentation and they really do stay on for a long time. I love the finish because it's a happy mix of matte and gloss but I'd say they lean more to matte side. Whenever I wear this shade I get compliments and people think it's a really high end lipstick. So if you're daring enough to try something bold, go out to your local drugstore and pick this one up. I haven't tried the matte line by Kate yet, but after such success with the Lasting Finish line, I know it won't be long. 

3. Aveda Botanical Kinetics Liquid Exfoliant: I'm working on a few posts dedicated to my skin care routine so I'll go more in depth about this product there, but I recently added this chemical exfoliant to my night time routine and I think it's helping tremendously with getting rid of the acne and scarring on my chin. If you're new to exfoliation, check out my post on why it's so important here.

4. Bubble baths: We can't rid our lives of stress, but we can work on how we manage it so it doesn't affect our mind, body, skin, and everything inbetween. Bubble baths are one of my favorite stress management techniques. I made a promise to myself that is was going to take more of them in 2014 and so far I'm doing pretty well. If you're having trouble sleeping at night, try a bath beforehand to calm and relax you. 

5. MAC Cosmetics Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb: How does one stay away from beautifully packaged Rose Gold products? Don't look at me for the answer because I took one glance at the MAC counter and I was sold. Right now since I'm a little paler, I love using a little of this with a matte blush to give me more of a glow. I think in the summer time though this would make an amazing highlight for bronzed skin. I'll keep you updated on that if we ever see the sun again here in Michigan...

6. Thank You Power by Deborah Norville: My dad gave me this book for Christmas and I absolutely loved it. It's a quick and easy read about focusing more on our gratitude in all aspects of life because situations will not only turn out better for us, but we will be much happier. It's filled with many short stories and examples of how thank you power has helped others in all kinds of problems, big and small. I really recommend reading it. We can't control the things that happen to us, but we can control our attitude while we handle them. Gratitude plays a huge part in making us stronger through the tough times. 

7. Sharpie Pens: I'm not really sure how I survived life before these guys, but they are the only pens I will use. I love how they come in many colors so that my planner can be super organized. Just stay away from the clickable ones because I find those dry out faster. I like the simple skinny ones with the caps.

8. tarte Lipsurgence Lip Cremes: This set of 4 came with that Christmas set I mentioned earlier and I'm obsessed with them. The Lipsurgence line has multiple finishes but this is by far my favorite one so far. Great pigmentation with just enough gloss to keep your lips moisturized. I especially love the shade because it's a dark brown nude that I honestly might never have tried if it hadn't come in this set. It's a great color if you want something besides red to stand out boldly. I'm excited to try more shades like this.

9. Stila's Stay All Day waterproof liquid eye liner in Intense Black: I had been hearing tons of great things about this eyeliner so I decided to pick it up last time I was in Ulta. It has the best staying power I've ever seen in a liquid eyeliner which is exactly what I need when I'm doing more dramatic cat eye looks. I also love how fine the felt tip is so you can get a really precise and thin wing. I'm curious to see how long it lasts before drying up though, so I'll keep you updated on that! 

What were your favorites this month? Leave me a comment below if you're loving something you think I should try. I'm always excited to hear what others are loving at the moment!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre