Weekly Reading | August 30, 2018

Food

Summer is but dying embers at this point, so throw as many more summer parties as you can before the temperatures start dropping again. Of course, I'm not a fan of summer parties because I'm a fan of dropping temperatures, but I know I'm in the minority, so I found these yummy-looking posts with recipes for summer drinks and food.

"15 Creative Pool Party Drinks for Adults" by Cara Giannetto

"These DIY Summer Cocktails are Perfect for Your Next Party" by Isabelle Hahn

"Vegan, Gluten-Free German Chocolate Cake" via Healthy Helper

Beauty

With changing seasons also comes sick days, so I found a post (from my sister's blog, I'll admit) about the best makeup for sick days. I also found a post about makeup essentials for busy girls, which made me think whether derma rollers should be considered a makeup essential at this point. I don't own a derma roller because I don't know how my sensitive skin will react to it, but they've been raved about in all corners of the interwebs, so I read this Byrdie post about how to use them properly.

"The Best Makeup for Sick Days" via Beauty Nerd by Night

"7 Makeup Essentials for Busy Girls" via Indian Girling

"So You Bought a Derma Roller? Here's How to Use it Properly" by Victoria Hoff

Career

Food and beauty aside, if you're a graduating senior this year, it's never too early to start looking at and applying to jobs. Here's a Forbes post about how to make your LinkedIn profile stand out because even though it's also a social media platform, LinkedIn plays by its own rules. Once that works and you score an interview, here's a post about how to ace that interview as well as a post on how to follow up after the interview because you should always, always, always follow up at least once.

"The No. 1 Way to Get Attention on LinkedIn" by Robert Hellman

"10 Tips for How to Nail an Interview with Your Dream Company" by Erica Elbers

"Here's How to Follow Up After an Interview the Right Way" by Jamie Ammon

For more beauty posts as well as college and blogging posts, check out the previous Weekly Reading.

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Weekly Reading | August 16, 2018

College

A new academic year is almost upon us, and the class of 2022 (Dang, I'm getting old) will be starting freshman year in a few weeks. I was in the class of 2014, and since 2010, I've been finding more and more college posts like the ones below that I really wish I'd found before I started college, so for incoming freshman, forget everything you think you know about college because one of the worst things you can do when entering college is to try to "fit in" and do what you think all college students "should" do.

"10 Things to Complete the Summer Before College" via TheBlondeLifestyle

"5 Ways to Start the School Year in a Great Mental State" via Stnkrbug

"Here's Why It's OK to be Single Your First Year of College" by Erica Elbers

Beauty

Saltiness aside, I also found some pretty rad beauty posts that seem ideal for anyone looking to take the plunge into new beauty territory such as going blonde, splurging on new (or first) lipsticks, and getting a tattoo!

"How I'm Keeping My Blonde Hair Fresh" via From Roses

"10 Qualities of a Good Lipstick to Know Before You Buy" by Haley Kellner

"15 First Tattoo Tips to Know Before Your Appointment" by Ashley Paskill

Blogging

In line with plunging into new territory, for my fellow bloggers (or aspiring bloggers) looking to expand (or start) their brands into Instagram or looking to start an email list or considering working with brands, here are some helpful posts I found last week.

"10 Hard Truths of Instagram: Instagram Algorithm Talk" via Coming Up Roses

"8 Things You Can Send to Your Email List" via Melyssa Griffin

"10 Things Every Blogger Should Know About Working with Brands" via Biz Mavens

For more college posts as well as lifestyle and fashion posts, check out the previous Weekly Reading.

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"Whispers in the Wood" by Clarissa Johal* Review

I received this complimentary book in exchange for an honest review.

Whispers in the Wood by Clarissa Johal follows Rowan the protagonist as she uncovers the mystery of the small town she finds herself in on a backpacking trip through England. Seemingly peaceful and quiet at first, Sheep's Crossing soon reveals itself to be full of deadly secrets. Fueled by the townsfolk's reluctance to talk about it and by her own adventurous spirit, Rowan sets off in search of the whispers in the wood.

What I enjoy most about this book is its natural progression. Events are paced very well, and exposition is provided only when necessary, so the build-up to the climax doesn't feel forced. At the same time, it allows for character development, even of Rowan. I'm usually skeptical of first-person narrative because it's hard to get character development right, and character development is my favorite part of any media, but Johal provides just the right type of exposition in just the right amount at just the right time that we very naturally learn about Rowan and the other characters without feeling like we're being fed exposition fodder just to tide us over to the next crucial turn of events.

A slight, very nitpicky on my part hiccup in this use of first-person narrative, though, is how unnatural some of Rowan's reactions are to the situations she finds herself in. Sure, this book is fantasy with a touch of horror, so there really isn't a natural way of reacting to the situations, but some of her choices seem out of character.

Again, that's a very nitpicky hiccup, so it goes without saying then that I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend Whispers in the Wood to fans of slow-reveal mystery that hints at ecofiction.

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Weekly Reading | August 2, 2018

College

For those of you starting college in the fall or returning for a new semester, here are some articles on getting ready for the fall semester, including a post on how to decorate your dorm or rental without damaging the walls.

"How to Get Organized for the New Semester" via Living in Full Bloom

"How to Prepare for Your Senior Year of College" via Eyeliner Wings & Pretty Things

"How to Decorate Your Dorm Walls Without Causing Damage" via Christina D'Ambrosio

Lifestyle

While you settle into the new semester, here are some posts to consider.

"4 Signs Your Relationship is Codependent" via Rachel Petty

"5 Powerful Reasons to Make Reflection a Daily Habit and How to Do It" via Zen Habits

"Why You Should Unplug More" via Small Towns & City Lights

Fashion

I also looked at some posts with general fashion advice.

"Sweater 101: Keeping Them Happy, Pill Free, and Fresh Between Washes" via Unfancy

"How to Look Stylish Everyday: 5 Ways to Update Your Daily Outfits with Accessories" via Erica Voyage

"How to Find the Right Sunglasses for Your Face Shape" via Rebecca Daly

For beauty, wellness, and travel posts, check out the previous Weekly Reading.

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