Lynn’s Library: Bookshelf Tour and How to Save Money with Books:

               

 As stated previously, I am an avid reader. With the invention of E-readers and my lovely Kindle Fire, I have no longer had a need to purchase new books. However, I still have a bookshelf with books that I keep on hand in my apartment. These books are located in my office. Some of them are my favorite books while others I find at thrift shops, book sales etc.  

 
Some of the highlights of books I have include the following:

• Twilight Series: I read this series in college and loved the characters. I like the books more than the movies.
• Confessions of a Shopaholic Series: The character reminds me of myself. Who else wouldn’t want to buy all this equipment to save money to make food besides the character and myself? Anytime I think about saving money I end up spending more money on ways to save money! It’s a vicious cycle.
• Nicholas Sparks' books:  Some of these are my favorite, some I plan on reading and then donating to those who want to read.
• Harry Potter Series: A beloved series. I love the first few books more than the last. I hope to reread them soon.
• A variety of “chick lit” books that I have yet to read.

             As soon as I read a book I make myself think, will I read it again? For example, I LOVE the Janet Evanovich series but I don’t want to keep 19 books on hand. So I decided if I really want to read them again I will borrow them from the library. That is a big way that I save money. If a book that I really want to read comes out, I usually purchase it on my Kindle. If I am somewhat interested in the book I will put a hold on it at my library a few months before it comes out, then I will be on one of the first to borrow it. It has saved me tons of money!

          I have a few books series I plan on purchasing simply because of my love for the series, like the Vampire Academy series. However, I will wait until I finish the many books on my bookshelf.  I also like to buy used books on Amazon. This saves me money as well. I can get them for a $1 or 2 and then the shipping is only $3.99. I think the cost of regular books is way too much these days.

          Finally, to save money I frequently look at the “free” books on Kindle. You have to go to the website to find them, but once you do you can find some good buys. I will warn you that most of the books that are free are part of a series. They get you hooked to the series with a free book and then you want to purchase the rest. To me it is not a big deal when I get to read a free book.

              hatever you do to get books, I hope you get a chance to read! Reading opens the door to so many new worlds and experiences. It makes you think about life and also can help you relax and enjoy your life. So no matter what you do, get out there and read, or stay in with a nice cup of tea and cuddle with your fuzzy animal and read! 

Lynn’s Lovely Life: What’s in My Walking Pharmacy?

                One of my top 5 favorite YouTubers is OrganizedLikeJen. One of the terms that I credit her with creating is “walking pharmacy.” I consider a walking pharmacy to be defined as a series of necessary objects in a small pouch. I carry a lot of items in my walking pharmacy. The majority of my items are lip products because I’m a lip product junkie.

Here is what I carry in my walking pharmacy:

• Stamps: I keep these in my purse because I use them frequently. They are the best place for me to hold them without losing them.
• Lip Balm: I have always been a fan of the Blistex Fruit Smoothies and I also enjoy the plum baby lips.
• Pens: I carry several pens around with me.
• Lotion: I enjoy carrying around the Nivea lotion because of its gender neutral smell and its size.
• Neutrogena Moisture Smooth Color Sticks in Fresh Papaya and Plum Perfect:  I love these products. As Emilynoel83 calls them, “they are the sweatpants of lip products.”
• Maybelline Vivid Lipstick in Brazen Berry: This is one of favorite lip products. The purple is not too obvious and makes me happy when I wear it.
• USB Drives: I carry two USB drives, a penguin one from my mother and another from my best friend’s work.  These are a necessity in my profession.
• Medicine: I carry Tylenol in case of a headache.
• Rollerball Taylor Swift Wonderstuck: I love Taylor Swift’s fragrance and enjoy using this when I am on the go.

 What do you carry in your Walking Pharmacy?

Lynn’s Lovely Life: What’s In my Purse

                As I have stated, I am an avid YT watcher. One of my favorite videos to watch is the "What’s in my Purse" videos. I have a lot of purses. I enjoy purchasing purses because they add a pop of color and complete an outfit. Also, I suffer from social anxiety and I feel safe and comfortable with my purse in hand. I feel more comfortable being out and about with all of my necessities and things that make me feel safe. I switch out my purses constantly. I am currently using a beautiful Coach purse my parents got me for graduating from grad school last year.  

Items in my Purse:

• Wallet: This is something I always keep in my purse. My current wallet is a beautiful polka dot wallet. I love the mint green color and polka dots.
• Cell Phone: iPhone 4s , This is always in my purse or in my hands (stay tuned for an iPhone cover collection post!)
• Keys: Another necessity in my purse at all times.
• Planner: I am an avid planner and prefer to use this over my iPhone any day.  
• Mints: To keep my breath nice and fresh!
• Sunglasses: A necessity when I wear my contacts.
• Lotion: For my dry hands!
• Checkbook: For appointments as needed.
• Cover Girl Powder: I use to constantly wear Cover Girl as a teen and recently purchased this product. I use this as my go to “foundation” when I am on the run and don’t have time to do my makeup in the morning.
• Coupon Organizer: This is used to hold my cash. I am in the process of using cash to effectively budget.
• Walking Pharmacy: I credit OrganizedLikeJen as the inventor of the term “walking pharmacy.” This holds a variety of little products that I use frequently. Stay tuned for an additional post about what is in my walking pharmacy.
• I carry several lipsticks and hand sanitizer in the front outside pocket of my purse.
• In the inside pocket I carry headphones and other essentials that I prefer to keep discreet.  

 What is inside your purse? What is your biggest necessity?  

Lynn’s Lovely Life: Top 5 YouTubers!

                I am a fan of TV and YouTube. I love to watch YouTube after a long day. There are so many videos out that can show you how to do your hair, makeup, etc. I really have learned a lot from different videos online. There are specific “Beauty Gurus” that I really enjoy watching on YouTube. One thing they all have in common is they all love beauty products and all have animals!

• Allthatglitters21 I really enjoy watching her videos. She relates a lot to me. She is an avid reader and likes to make her home comfortable with candles and other home decor. She is the one who introduced me to Lush. Her cat, Pinecone, is also adorable!
• Alovetart: Mary is absolutely wonderful at describing a product in the most efficient and effective manner. I really enjoy her face of the day videos. They seem so simple and easy to follow. I like how she shows a variety of high end and drugstore products.
• Organizedlikejen: Jen reminds me so much of myself! She mentions that she suffers from social anxiety disorder like me. She does a lot of videos on organization and on topics relating to the home. Also, she likes to do daily blogs that I find interesting. She loves tea and has a furry little pet named Winnie.  BTW: Jen would not consider herself a Beauty Guru.
•   Emilynoel83: Emily is absolutely wonderful at describing products. She used to work at a news station. I really appreciate the fact that she has the background knowledge to deliver the news but also can share beauty videos. I also like her little cat Cupcake and her husband is very sweet as well as funny. He often will make some hilarious appearances in her videos.
• Missglamorazzi: Ingrid is very sweet girl who you would love to have as a best friend. She is very kind and caring. She offers a lot of information on beauty products. I also like how she has a personality that is not so traditional. She loves video games and I love how she once had a game boy cell phone cover. She also has a little cat named Nugget who is adorable!

 Do you watch YouTube? What channels are you subscribed to? 

Lynn's Library: $16 Book Haul

Today has been one of those perfect Saturdays, you know those days, when you wake up and are ready to face the day. I put on one of my favorite outfits and headed out to a book sale that was being offered near me. I picked up my brother and we went on purchasing spree. I ended up getting 15 books for $16. Here is a list of my books and a note or two about them.

•  Three Sisters Island Trilogy by Nora Roberts: This three book series is one of my favorites that I read as a teen. Sadly I did not keep the series but I remember reading the series and am looking forward to reading the books again and again.

• The Girl Who Played with Fire Trilogy by Stieg Larson: This is a series that I have wanted to purchase for quite some time but didn’t want to shell out the cash for. So I was so happy to find it on sale at such a great price!
• Message in a Bottle, The Guardian, A Bend in the Road, At First Sight and True Believer by Nicholas Sparks: I truly enjoy Nicholas Sparks books. I have read a number of his books turned into movies and have not been disappointed yet. My favorite would have to be Safe Haven. I keep some of them and donate the others when I am finished reading.
• A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn: This is one of my favorite top 5 books. I love this book and wanted a copy and now I have a nice hardback to keep!
• Kick the Clutter: I love organizing and these books always interest me so I’m excited to start reading it.
• Small Spaces: A book on interior design, which is a passion of mine. Can’t wait to read.
• In Style Getting Gorgeous: A little book about ways to take care of yourself and your body.

I was very happy with my purchases! I went a little crazy with Nicholas Sparks’s books, but I love the author so I wanted to get as many as I could. I wish I could have gotten more young adult novels, sadly the crowds were too hard to deal with that I didn’t have time or space to select books. 

On another note my brother left the book sale happy as well. He only spent $5.50 for 7 science fiction books! As I close this post I am looking forward to putting away my books on my bookshelf (stay tuned for a bookshelf tour) and spending the day with the windows open being productive around the house. Maybe I will take some time for a bike ride later on! Another successful day in the making if I say so!

What books have you read or purchased lately?