Page 58

What I Love Wednesday: February 10, 2020

Happy Wednesday everyone! This week is going to be a short week for me, and I am so excited for it. I’m hoping that there isn’t any snow, because snow has been constantly in the forecast.

That said, this week’s What I Love Wednesday is a more product-heavy one than in weeks’ past. Many of these are items that I’ve had for a few weeks now, and have been loving, while others are newer.

So here are this week’s favorites:

Kendra Scott Ansley Small Heart Earrings: Kendra Scott has been a hit or miss jewelry brand for me. I either find something that I really love, or something that I end up selling on my Poshmark because the earrings are too heavy for my liking. These earrings are ones that I really love. I purchased these a few weeks back, along with a necklace that I ended up returning. These are really lightweight, and they are perfect for Valentine’s Day. I have the silver color, but you can also get them in gold and rose gold. I love hearts, so chances are, I will be wearing these past Valentine’s Day.

Kendra Scott Maggie Small Hoop Earrings: I just recently started wearing these earrings as well, and I really have been enjoying them. They are pretty much lightweight as well, and they are perfect for everyday use. I’ve had these since September, but I’ve just started using these now. And, like the other earrings, these also come in gold and rose gold as well.

Fitness Boxing 2 Nitendo Switch Game: I mentioned this when I first got this game, but I’ve been playing this a lot lately and enjoying. It basically is a game that lets you cardiokickbox with different music. It is a really fun work out, and it’s something that progresses as you progress.

Trader Joe’s Cocoa and Almond Spread: I’ve been addicted to this since I opened it. Basically it is a healthier version of Nutella, and it is so good. You can use this spread for so many things, such as: waffles, crackers, and more.

Barefoot Dreams Blanket: This blanket is deemed as the best blanket, and for a while I’ve been skeptical. Mainly because I make blankets in my spare time. However, there is a reason that the blanket is hyped. I purchased this for my living room, which is a little fancier than the rest of the rooms in my house. Therefore, I didn’t want to have a handmade blanket. However, I got one off of Nordstrom Rack for a fraction of the price. I took it out, and pretty much have used it nonstop to the point where I ordered a second for my bedroom. What I love about this blanket is that it is really comforting. Whenever I use it, I feel so relaxed when I use it, and I highly recommend it if you suffer from anxiety like I do. I can’t attest for the quality of this, but I really am loving this so far.

Apple Fitness Plus: I got three months for free thanks to my Apple Watch. This week, I have been loving the spin classes. What I love about it, versus the Peloton app, is that you can use any bike. I have a cheap bike that I bought from Kohl’s a while ago, and this app worked great with it. I have done three classes in a row, and I have been enjoying them because they are fun and have a positive energy to them where I look forward to working out. If you don’t know anything about the app, it gives you a ton of different types of workouts, such as running, cycling, walking, HIIT and more. For me, I would probably keep the app so I can use it with Jazzercise.

Online Shops You Should Know: CC Malden

For years, I’ve always lusted after a Louis Vuitton Neverfull. However, I didn’t like the pricetag of the Neverfull, because at the time, it was a purse that was over a thousand dollars.

Yeah, no. Even though Louis Vuitton purses do last forever and you can get it repaired.

In my search for this handbag, I checked both Poshmark and Ebay without much success. The ones in decent condition were close to the price at Louis Vuitton, and the ones that weren’t in decent condition made me swipe down.

One morning, I came across an advertisement for the Neverfull on this luxury consignment seller. The price was good. The bag looked great, and was from 2007. Was it too good to be true?

I messaged the seller, and she sent over some more pictures which was amazing. I purchased the bag, and the price ended up being less than a third than the Louis Vuitton one.

When it came in the mail, it was in excellent condition and was well wrapped. It soon became my favorite purse, and still is one of my favorites to this day. Since then, I purchased a makeup bag, a pouchette, and the Speedy 30. All of which were a fraction of what the retail is from this shop.

The shop I am talking about is CCMalden, aka Closet Connection Resale. Based in Malden, Massacheutts, this luxury retailer has a wide variety of current and historic Louis Vuitton styles. But, the shop has so much more than Louis Vuitton. The shop occasionally offers other luxury fashion houses, such as Chanel, Tiffany, and Gucci.

How this shop works is that it basically is a online consignment store for luxury goods. All of the bags before they are sold are authenticated. According to the website, they work with a Louis Vuitton and Gucci expert, as well as work in a partnership with a larger resale community to “guarantee authenticity.” And, they back their items up. If an item turns out to not be authentic, you get your money back. You can view more details about that here.

I really like this, because there is no second guessing when it comes to purchasing. This is so much more relieving than trying to scan the internet trying to authenticate items.

What I love about this shop is hands down the customer service. I’ve messaged the owner, Kristina, a handful of times about bags that I ended up not purchasing, and she was responsive and informative. She is also helpful if you have any further questions about the bags that you are about to purchase, whether it may be size, date codes, etc. She also has a Facebook group, where she does Facebook lives of all of the items that she has in stock.

If you have an interest in bags, but don’t see what you’re looking for, I highly recommend that you also follow the shop on Instagram. All new bags are posted in the shop’s stories, and it’s the best way to see new arrivals. It is also another way to ask questions about the products before purchasing.

Now, let’s talk about the fun part — the bags and the prices. Luxury goods aren’t cheap whatsoever. However, many of these bags are less than a thousand dollars. Which is a steal if you’re talking about Louis Vuitton to be honest. What I also like about this shop is that they are vintage pieces, which is really cool as well. With vintage or hard to find Louis Vuitton pieces, it’s very common to see the price increased exponentially. However, these are affordably priced.

That said, I highly recommend this shop to anyone who loves luxury pieces, but not the luxury price. It is easy, it is affordable, and all of the bags are in great condition.

Bag Talk: Is the Dagne Dover Landon Bag Worth It?

We all know that I am an accessories kind of girl, and I have a huge collection of purses (many of which were my mom’s that I can not part with). Many of the bags in my collections are brands that have been around for years, such as Dooney and Bourke, Coach, Louis Vuitton (okay fine one bag), and Longchamp.

However, I am always on the lookout for a new bag to fall in love with. And, this is a newer bag that I am obsessed with.

That bag is the Dagne Dover Cameron Bag.

According to the website, Dagne Dover was started in 2013 by women who “came from different backgrounds but have similar drive and passion.” Their bags come in four different materials — leather, 365 neoprene, signature, and canvas.

The Cameron bag is in the neoprene, and comes both in seasonal colors, as well as the classic core colors such as gray, black, navy and olive. The bag comes in five sizes — the XS, Small, Medium, Large, and Extra-Large.

This bag has life in mind. What is awesome about these bags is the organization. I have so many bags that are pretty much black holes where I have to dig for my items. This is not the case with this bag. No matter what size you go with, your bag is organized which is great and makes life so much easier. It also comes with a lanyard for your keys, which is amazing for someone who spends so much time looking for her keys.

What’s nice about this bag is how lightweight it is. I carry a lot of stuff, especially on the days when I go into the office. And, it’s still pretty light despite that, which is easy.

The bags also come with a removable strap, as well as a pouch as well (small/medium/large/extra-large sizes), which is great for so many different purposes. I believe that the pouch varies, depending on the size of the bag that you have. And, what is unique about this bag is that you can actually wash them as well. How cool is that!

Here’s a breakdown of the sizes:

Extra-Small: This bag is honestly the best for errands, and can be carried crossbody or shoulder only. The dimensions are 9” L x 4.75” W x 6.25” H
Small: The perfect workbag, as I use it for work everyday. It can be carried by the handles, crossbody, and over the shoulder. The dimensions are 12” L x 6” W x 7.5” H.
Medium: This one looks like it’s meant for moms to use as a diaper bag as well as a gym bag. Like the small, it can be carried by the handles, crossbody, and over the shoulder. The dimensions are 14.5” L x 7.5” W x 9” H.
Large: This one looks perfect for a weekend getaway. Like the medium, it can be carried by the handles, crossbody, and over the shoulder. The dimensions are 16.5” L x 9” W x 11” H.
Extra-Large: This one looks it’s a great carryon/weekend bag as well. Like the large, it can be carried by the handles, crossbody, and over the shoulder. The dimensions are 20.5” L x 10” W x 10.5” H.

I have the extra small and the small sizes and was able to grab them thanks to sales and Nordstrom notes. Therefore, I can not attest to the sizes of the bags because I don’t have them.

That said, I really love the two that I have in my collection. One thing that I have found with the extra small is that it’s too small for all that I take with me when I go to work. The small fits my Longchamp Makeup case, my Coach Double Zip Wristlet, my Louis Vuitton Mini Pochette, my car and house keys, my headphones, my phone, my Kindle Oasis, my sunglasses, and my checkbook. Basically, these are items that I don’t always need, but I like to carry.

The extra small could not fit all of that. I use that one more for the weekends, because I am the type of person who likes to take her Kindle everywhere. However, what fits in the bag is as follows: my Coach Wristlet, my Kindle Oasis, my iPhone 11 Pro, a pouch that has my essentials (chapstick, hand sanitizer, hand lotion), and sunglasses. And, there was room for more, if I chose to out more things in it.

I do love this bag because everything seems to have a place. The one thing that I don’t like about it is that the purse is sometimes it can be hard to get your stuff. I don’t know if this is because I still am getting used to having a bag with so many compartments, or if it’s because I just throw everything in the middle of the bag and hope for the best.

That said, I want to say that I love the organization with this bag. The pockets are great, because everything has its own place and I can find it easier. Because of the organization, you can fit a lot despite their smaller sizes.

What I also love is the crossbody strap. Your girl loves herself a good crossbody purse. I love that I can have the crossbody style, but still have other options as well. Furthermore, while you can’t carry the XS Landon without the strap, you can still get the tote option as well.

That said, I really love this bag. While they are errand and work bags, I can see myself using them for many purposes down the road such as vacations and day trips since they fit so much with a small bag.

There is one downside for this purse that I did want to mention. It can get dirty/color transferred very easily. I wear a lot of black, and I noticed that there was a little bit on the bandage color. Thankfully, it was soon able to be resolved after dabbing it with water, but I did want to be honest with you.

If you are deciding to get this bag, I highly recommend it. However, if size is what you’re deciding on, I would recommend the small. It still is small enough to be a purse, but large enough to serve in multiple roles, such as errands, and travel.

January Reading Wrap Up/February TBR

Usually it feels like January is the month that seems to go on and on. However, it seems as if this month flew by.

January was one of my slower reading months. I read 7 books, but I feel like I have entered a huge reading slump since Goodreads had said that I am already falling behind by two books.

That said, I am proud to get to one of my Mashed Potato Books, which was such a good read. So, here are the seven books I read this month:

Untamed by Glennon Doyle, Five out of Five Stars: I loved this book. I started reading the audiobook, but finished reading the physical. This was one of the most inspirational reads that I could have entered the new year reading. It talks all about being free and learning to avoid being unhappy, as well as living a life that is true to you. I did purchase Love Warrior, but haven’t read it yet.

This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens, Four out of Five Stars: This book was amazing to kick off the new year with as well. It is about Minnie Cooper, who was born on January 1, and suffers through string of bad luck on her birthday. Quinn Hamilton on the other hand, is extremely lucky. And, he shares the same birthday as Minnie. Both of their mothers gave birth to them at the same hospital at the same time, and the two have crossed paths and never met. That is, until now. This book was a really cute read. I love it that it reminded me of Nora Ephron movies where the love interests would never get together until the very end. I liked it, but I was not head over heels over it.

The Vanishing Half by Bri Bennett, Five out of Five Stars: Stella and Desiree Vignes ran away from Mallard in the 1960s. One sister came back, while another found a life of luxury while trading her identity of African American to white. While the sisters may lead separate lives, their daughters eventually end up crossing paths. I really loved this book, and I highly recommend reading it if you haven’t yet. This book gives you so much insight on how race was perceived, and is just an amazing story.

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson, Five out of Five Stars: Enchanted has a dream of being a famous singer. After auditioning for a talent show, she meets Korey Fields. Months later, Korey is found dead and Enchanted wakes up with blood on her hands. This was definitely one of my favorite reads of the month, because the writing was amazing. The content of the story is definitely one that is triggering, and I don’t want to forget that. It talks about grooming, rape, and abuse.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Five out of Five Stars: I am not going to write a review for this since I have a post about it. I already wrote my opinions down in that post, but I still highly recommend it.

November 9 by Colleen Hoover, Five out of Five Stars: Fallon and Ben met by chance at a restaurant on November 9. Despite their instant attraction, the two decide to wait to begin a relationship. However, they do decide to meet every November 9th for the next five years. This book was amazing, and I think that I will always be a fan of Hoover’s writing. That said, I loved the romance, and it was a story that tugged at my heartstrings from beginning to end.

Confess by Colleen Hoover, Five out of Five Stars: Yes, another Colleen Hoover novel. This one is about Auden, who has lost so much before turning 21. She just moves to Texas, where she encounters Owen a painter with a mysterious past. The two fall in love, despite many forces that are keeping them apart. Okay, so Colleen Hoover can write. This novel was one of those novels that have kept me engaged from the moment I picked it up to the second it finished. This was not my favorite one by Colleen Hoover, but I definitely enjoyed reading that one.

Now that I talked about January’s reads, let’s move on to February. I hope to read a lot of romance during this month, and I have a ton to choose from on my shelves. I also hope to read Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, since that was my Book of the Month choice.

What I Love Wednesday: February 3

Happy snowy Wednesday everyone! This week has been a mixture of snow and recovering from a stomach bug. I’ve been spending much of this past few days sleeping it off, as well as eating all of the soup.

Dagne Dover Cameron Purse: Stay tuned for the complete review of this purse, but I have been really loving this purse. I have the xs in bandage, and the small in gray. I have been using the gray for work, while I have been using the smaller one for errands. Both purses are amazing! They have a ton of compartments, which make it really easy to organize, and they are great little crossbody bags.

Spotify Playlist: I found this playlist that consisted of all of the alternative songs that I was obsessed with in the mid to late 2000s and it’s been on repeat ever since. It’s called xliVE.LauGh.l0vEx, and has songs from Good Charlotte, All Time Low, and Boys Like Girls — just to name a few. If you were in middle/high school in the late 2000s, you will definitely love this playlist.

Mario Kart 8: I have been feeling sick lately, so I decided that it was time for me to finally purchase this game. And I’ve been obsessed with this game ever since. I have not played any other version so I can’t compare, but so far, I have been really enjoying it.

The Bling Empire: Something else that I’ve been doing while being sick is watching a lot of TV shows. Other than 90 Day Fiancé, I have been watching the Bling Empire on Netflix. The Bling Empire is best described as a reality TV version of Crazy Rich Asians. There is so much drama going on and it’s really easy to binge.

Wireless Keyboard: Last but not least, I recently bought a new keyboard for my iPad. I did have the folio case, but I found myself really not enjoying using it because it was so bulky. This keyboard is sleek and I can use it anywhere with my iPad stand. I also find the keys really easy to type on as well as responsive when typing.

Go Red For Women Day is February 5, 2021: Why You Should Wear Red For this Cause

Almost two years ago to the day, I woke up to my mom being unresponsive, and learned that she had passed away overnight from a heart attack. Her death was sudden, and crippling to my family and I. Yes, she suffered from high blood pressure, but she was always healthy and the person who had taken care of me since day one.

The sad thing is my mom was not alone.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, according to the Go Red for Women page on the American Heart Association website. It causes one in three deaths each year, killing one woman per minute. That thought is scary I know.

February is National Women’s Health Month, which promotes awareness in Women’s Heart Health. The common misconception is that men suffer from heart attacks more than women, but that is simply not the case.

What is even more frightening is that symptoms of heart attacks are different from men to women. If I had known my mom’s symptoms were in fact related to a heart attack, maybe she would have been one less death.

According to the Go Red For Women site, those symptoms include:

Indigestion
A case of the flu
Feeling as though you strained a muscle in the chest.

Now, there are many factors that can cause a heart attack in women. According to the website, they include age, high blood pressure, obesity, family history, high cholesterol, and whether or not the person smokes.

While I have a personal tie to this cause, I know that my mom is not the only person to suffer from the effects of a heart attack. My mom is the reason why I choose to wear red every February, and continue to be healthy by eating right, and exercising. My mom is also the reason why I continue to promote the cause of heart health and support women’s heart health.

That said, I hope that this post inspires you to not only wear red, but also promote healthy choices year round. It may be walking or exercising more. It may mean eating better. Or, it may mean putting your mental health first, as we know that I am a huge advocate for mental health awareness. Whatever that may mean, let’s try to make healthier choices this month and every month.

Women Who Work: Jess Costa

For Jess Costa, her career as a filmmaker started with music videos in her preteen days. Fast forward ten years later, Jess graduated from NYU, and is now working on her first feature film, Sleep Talking (it sounds so amazing so definitely check it out when it’s released).

I was introduced to Jess from my friend Danielle, and I am so grateful for the chance to interview her for my blog. I am not as familiar with the technical end of film making, so it was so interesting to get a chance to talk with her and learn about something that is outside of my expertise.

That said, here’s my Q and A with Jess:

1. What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

I became a filmmaker because of the play of it; I started off having film days with my friend, Elana, when we were 11, making music videos to All American Rejects, and posting them to YouTube. From then on I was set, I was a filmmaker. It’s obviously taken different roles in my life. It’s still fun and now it’s really cathartic. I tend to use film to work out whatever I’m learning in life at that moment.

2. What is your filmography?

I have pieces I made in high school, but I start counting my filmography with my NYU senior thesis, Once Upon a November, because with that project I admit to myself I was a writer then and took full ownership of my work! I write and direct fantastical/magic realism pieces with a heart center. They tend to revolve around the moment we realize the world isn’t what we always thought it was (and sometimes how we move on from that, which has been in more of my recent work, like 99¢ Dreams). I’ve made many shorts (like Once Upon a November, Dreamers (about the DACA program), 99¢ Dreams, and more) and now I’m creating my first feature (a full-length 90 minute movie!)!

3. Do you have any directors that you look up to?

Ava Duvernay for her strength and heartfelt characters, Pheobe Waller-Bridge for her vulnerability and her ability to say exactly what we’re feeling – and with humor, and Tim Burton for his magical realism and world-building.

4. Tell me about your latest film, Sleep Talking.

Sleep Talking is a fantastical thriller feature film about a 12-year-old girl Maya who needs to learn she can’t fix everything. When her mother’s need to resurrect their family’s past takes over their lives, Maya starts scheming to solve the mystery, but instead, discovers the terror infiltrating her family when her sister starts to sleep talk. There’s a “true” crime element, there’s a magical moth lore and lots of sisterly love. It focuses on the older sister who grows up too quickly to protect her younger sister from the cruelties of the world, which is what my sister did for me so this movie is dedicated to her.

Since YA novels are my jam, I realized the flow of the script on the page reads very similarly to a YA novel (this girl can leave the YA target range, but the genre never leaves the girl haha).

5. When will it be released?
We will be finished with the film in December and then in 2022, we are going to taking it on the road with a Drive-In Tour of America and, if the state of the world warrants, a special seated cemetery screener with ghost stories and a breakdown of the moth mythos.

6. How has COVID-19 affected the film?
For all of the bad COVID brought, my silver lining is that with the shut down in March, I was able to take an online class and finally finish the first draft of Sleep Talking within a month. Since then I’ve had the space to work remotely and refine the script to really make it what it is today. I finished the script at the beginning of the year and now I get to put on my director hat and my producer/business partner, Danielle Benedict, can breakdown the logistics of the script. We’re at this fun step where we’re getting everything together to film in July so it’s the work that demands we stay at home and buckle down.

7. Where can people view the film once it’s released?

After the tour, we are going to partner with online distribution so everyone can watch from the comfort of their couch!

8. How do you get ideas for a film?
Sometimes it’s a writing exercise; for 99¢ Dreams, I saw a neon sign reading exactly that, “99¢ Dreams” and I started to picture what that store would look like. For Sleep Talking, it started from a friend sleep talking and I made a passive joke saying, “what is he possessed.” Then this idea flooded of a nightmarish sheet being pulled out of someone’s mouth and wrapping another person in a cocoon – which became the jumping-off point for this script. From there, I started seeing the characters and remembered I used to sleep talk when I was younger so, since that’s what I connect sleep talking with, I made it from the point of view of children, and then it’s just lego blocks piling on top of each other to make the first draft!

9. Finally, what is some advice that you have for someone who wants to be in the film business?

Start off by making a project, whether you’re creating every bit, whether you’re working on someone else’s set – just jump in. I’ve seen folx who spend most of their time dreaming it up, but they don’t take action on it, waiting for “that break” or that perfect moment. By being on set and making a short from beginning to end you learn what parts you love, hate, that you do out of survival – and then find amazing people you admire that love doing the parts you hate and there’s a beautiful partnership to make a fun movie. Keep at it, it takes some time, but, for me, I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else so I don’t see the point in stopping.

Interested in checking out Jess’ work? Be sure to check out her website, her Instagram, and her YouTube channel!

What I Love Wednesday: Wednesday January 27, 2021

Happy Wednesday everyone! This Wednesday is a snowy one for me, and I couldn’t be happier.

This week’s favorites are a bit random, as I have less to share than usual. That said, I still have a few awesome picks for you this week to share.

UV Nail Lamp: I love having painted nails. However, I am the worst at keeping them still and waiting for them to dry. So, for many years, I never had painted nails. Last week, I discovered this and I bought it instantly. I did my nails, and they were dry in less than ten minutes. And my nails look great. I am loving this, because it gives me a chance to have pretty nails, but it also does them quickly.

Essie Gala-Vanting Nail Polish Set: With the UV Lamp, I also purchased a new nail polish color — this beautiful Essie red color. I have had this on since Friday and so far, my nails have been really holding up. I also love txhat for about $15, I get the nail polish and the top coat. Definitely a great deal, and this color is perfect for Valentine’s Day.

SV Decker Sleek Heart Necklace: I saw this piece on their Valentine’s Day drop and I became instantly obsessed with it. I bought the silver, and I have already worn it a few times. I love how simple this is, yet it’s different than any other heart pieces that I own. I also can layer it with a few other pieces as well, which I am really excited for.

Eating My Way In CT: Katz Deli In Woodbridge CT

Katz Deli is famous in New York City. However, what many don’t know is that there is one in Woodbridge, CT as well. It may have no affiliation with the one in New York City, but still worth the trip. This location is convenient for travelers who want to grab lunch or dinner, as it is located just off Exit 59 on the Wilbur Cross Parkway (aka Route 15).

The deli has been a staple for Westville/Woodbridge dining for many years, and still remains standing after an electrical fire in June 2020. As a side note, Katz became a staple for me while in college, and is still remains to be one of my favorite places to get sandwiches.

So, what can you get there?

Their menu has so many different items to choose, including: breakfast foods, sandwiches, soups, salads, burgers, and more. You can truly get any meal at this place. And, of course, you can get the classic Jewish deli staples — Reuben sandwiches, potato pancakes, and of course, black and white cookies. The menu also offers “Rachels,” which is a sandwich with your choice of meat, Swiss cheese, Russian Dressing, Homemade Cole Slaw on Rye Bread.

And, while Katz is a great takeout place, you still can sit down and enjoy your meal. Recently, my boyfriend and I went there for a lunch during our day off. I had a grilled chicken wrap with avocado, and he had the Reuben. One thing that is worth noting is that they have a ton of wraps and sandwiches to choose from, and it’s so easy to customize them to your liking. We both also got fries, which I highly recommend, because they are one of my favorite places to get French Fries.

And, it was amazing. The wrap was so delicious, and you can tell that the ingredients were fresh. The sandwiches came out pretty quickly, which is something that I enjoy in a restaurant as well. With the fries, you can definitely fill up pretty quickly, and not be hungry for the rest of the day.

Overall, I highly recommend checking out Katz deli if you’re in the New Haven area, or even if you’re passing through. It’s a deli that has something for everyone, and you can definitely find something for everyone on your list.

Have you been to Katz deli in Woodbridge? Let me know in the comments below.

Book Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

It is safe to say that one of the most hyped books of 2020 on Bookstagram and Booktube was the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. It was my October Book of the Month, and has been sitting on my shelf for a few months.

That is, until now.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue tells the story of Adeline, “Addie” LaRue. Addie lives in eighteenth century France, and wants to explore the world. At the start of the novel, she is in her early 20s, and by those standards, she is considered to be an old maid. On her wedding day, she runs out of the chapel to meet up with this man with curly black hair, and green eyes. Adeline has been dreaming of this man, and has been praying to them to avoid getting married.

She then makes a deal with this gentleman — her soul with the ability to live forever. However, there is a catch. As soon as she meets someone, they will forget her. Addie accepts.

The story is told in two different time frames — Addie’s life in the past and in New York City in 2014. She eventually meets Henry, who is the first person in 300 years to remember her. The two fall in love, until they realize that he has made a deal of that nature.

This book was really hyped, and with good reason. This story is definitely one of the most unique novels that I have read to date. Schwab’s writing was beautiful, and I loved reading the story about Addie’s relationship with both Henry and “Luc.”

Some may argue that this novel is a love story with the devil, but I personally do not agree. I think that Addie was lusting after Luc, however, I believe that Addie was truly in love with Henry. Addie’s relationship with Luc was more of the captor/captee type, while Addie fell in love with Henry.

I also loved the main character Addie. Addie was a true feminist, but she was born in the wrong time. She wanted to see the world, versus getting married with children, which is something that wasn’t allowed in that time period. I believe that was a realistic desire for women who lived in that time period. I also thought it was interesting that Addie had tip-toed on the line between right and wrong. Addie obviously couldn’t have a job because her boss would forget her on her second day, which resulted in her stealing food and clothing in the efforts to be fed and clothed. And, in a way it worked, because people forgot about her the second she left their site.

Furthermore, I can not imagine what it is like to be Addie. She can not leave her mark on the world, and everyone that she encounters will forget her. How can someone live with that knowledge and survive the mundane day to day tasks? I am sure that she leads a lonely life.

One final point that I would like to bring up is the different time lines. I’ve read on some reviews online that it is confusing. I disagree. I think that they are essential to the story, because each flashback sheds some light on what’s happening in the present. I personally enjoyed it, and I thought it added a great element to the book.

So, have you read the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue? Let me know in the comments below.