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Bronzed & Glowy: Your Guide to the Perfect Summer Look

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There’s just something about summer that makes us want to look like we’ve spent the day lounging by the pool—even if we’ve actually spent eight hours answering emails. Enter bronzer, your shortcut to that warm, sun-kissed glow without requiring a beach vacation.

The secret? Don’t think of bronzer as something you use to completely change your complexion. Think of it as adding a little summer magic exactly where the sun would naturally hit.

Start With a Fresh Base

Before reaching for your bronzer, keep your base light and fresh. A tinted moisturizer, skin tint, or lightweight foundation is perfect for summer. You want your skin to still look like skin.

Add a little concealer where you need it, blend everything well, and let your natural glow do some of the work.

Follow the Sun

Now for the fun part!

Using a fluffy brush, lightly sweep bronzer across the areas where the sun naturally kisses your face:

  • Across the tops of your cheekbones
  • Along your forehead near the hairline
  • Across the bridge of your nose
  • A little along your jawline

Think “I spent the afternoon outside”, not “I painted a stripe on my face.” Start with a small amount and build the color gradually. It’s much easier to add more than it is to undo an enthusiastic bronzer situation.

Don’t Forget Your Cheeks

For an extra summery look, bring your bronzer slightly onto your cheeks before adding blush. Then pop a peachy, coral, or rosy blush right on top.

The combination of warm bronzer + fresh blush gives you that just-back-from-the-beach look—even if the closest you’ve been to the ocean is watching beach videos on TikTok.

Add a Little Glow

Summer is the perfect excuse to embrace a little shimmer. Tap a subtle highlighter onto the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and just above your cupid’s bow.

Keep it soft. You want “sunlight catching my skin,” not “I am personally responsible for reflecting sunlight into passing airplanes.”

Take It to the Rest of You

If your face is bronzed and your shoulders are noticeably not, things can get a little suspicious.

For special occasions, lightly dust bronzer or body glow across your collarbones and shoulders to create a more seamless look. Just make sure your formula is designed for the body if you’re applying it over a larger area.

The Final Summer Touches

Finish your look with fluffy brows, a swipe of mascara, and a juicy lip gloss or tinted balm. If you want to go all-in on the summer vibe, try a warm peachy or coral lip.

And there you have it: glowy, bronzed, and ready for summer.

The best part about bronzer is that there really are no hard rules. Want more glow? Go for it. Prefer a matte finish? Gorgeous. Want to look like you just returned from a week in the Mediterranean when you actually spent the weekend at home? Bronzer understands the assignment.

Just remember: blend, build, and have fun. Summer makeup should feel less like a complicated routine and more like an excuse to glow a little brighter.

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Book Review: Marla by Jonathan Janz

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PLOT SUMMARY:

Every small town has ghosts. King’s Branch has Marla.

A reclusive young woman who lives with her mother in a creepy Gothic house, Marla Gorman is the stuff of urban legends. Some believe she’s a prisoner. Others claim she’s a witch.

The evening of the first murder, Detective Carl Lancaster sees Marla leering at him from her bedroom window. He sees her again at the exact moment a second man is killed. And though Marla was nowhere near either murder site, Carl is convinced she’s connected to the crimes.

To Carl, Marla is a menace. To social worker Annie Frost, Marla bears a bizarre connection to her past. To Dylan Ellison, a struggling college student, Marla might be the companion for whom he’s been longing.

But none of them understands Marla’s true nature. She’s about to plunge them—and everyone in King’s Branch—into an unspeakable nightmare and teach them the true meaning of terror.

GRADE: A-

REVIEW:

Strange deaths begin to plague the small town of King’s Branch, and Detective Carl Lancaster finds himself at a loss. He can’t figure out what—or who—is behind the growing body count. One thing keeps nagging at him: every time someone dies, Marla seems to be somewhere in the periphery. The problem? Carl can’t prove a thing.

Marla is a recluse who lives in an old, unsettling house with her mother, Irene. The townspeople have always been wary of the two women, but as the deaths pile up, Carl finds himself drawn back to their doorstep again and again. The closer he gets to the truth, the more disturbing the mystery becomes.

Marla was a fascinating, deeply creepy read, filled with just the right amount of small-town lore and dark secrets. Fans of Stephen King will feel right at home, especially those who enjoy stories where an entire town seems to be hiding something.

The audiobook was especially well done. The two narrators brought an added layer of tension and unease to the story, making the already creepy atmosphere even more unsettling.

Highly recommended for anyone who loved Carrie but wished she were even creepier.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & Blackstone Publishing for the audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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Book Review: Grief Eater by Emma Osborne

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PLOT SUMMARY:

When Kristina rises from her violent death, she’s not the same fragile woman her family once abandoned. She’s rageful, powerful, and hungry—for the blood of the ones who were supposed to love her. With a newfound craving to see vengeance and grief served, she launches into a once-in-an-undead-lifetime journey across blood-slicked highways to the scorched Australian bush and her hometown. As her body fails and her mind fractures, she’s left with one final question: Is she here to forgive, or to feed?

GRADE: A

REVIEW:

I’m usually not a big fan of zombies in books, but Grief Eater by Emma Osborne tells a very different kind of story. Sure, there are infections, gore, and plenty of human flesh-eating, but at its heart, this is an emotional journey through sorrow, anger, and, yes, grief.

When Kristina wakes up transformed, she’s filled with rage and an overwhelming hunger for human flesh. Instead of simply accepting her monstrous new state, though, she decides to use it to get revenge on the family who wronged her. As she sets out on this dark journey, we learn more about her past—including her friendship with her best friend and the love she once had but ultimately gave up because she was too afraid to come out at the time.

What follows is an emotional reckoning that gives the story far more depth than your typical gory zombie tale. There’s plenty of gore for horror fans, but beneath it all is a story about love, loss, identity, and the weight of unresolved grief.

Highly recommend this one for horror readers who like their books with a little more heart beneath the blood and guts.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & Interstellar Flight Press for the ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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🍒 Cherry Makeup Is the Sweetest Beauty Trend of the Summer (And Yes, You Need to Try It)

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Move over, strawberry girl—there’s a new fruit taking over our feeds.

This summer, cherry makeup is everywhere, and honestly? We’re obsessed. Think juicy red cheeks, bitten lips, glossy skin, and a fresh-faced glow that looks like you just spent the afternoon picnicking under the sun (minus the sweat).

The vibe is playful, romantic, and just a little bit flirty. It’s giving “main character at a summer festival” energy.

So…what exactly is cherry makeup?

Imagine your cheeks after you’ve been laughing with your friends for hours. Your lips after eating a cherry popsicle. Your skin catching the golden hour light.

That’s cherry makeup.

Instead of heavy contour and dramatic glam, this trend is all about:

  • 🍒 Rosy cherry-red blush
  • 💋 Soft stained lips or juicy gloss
  • ✨ Glowy, hydrated skin
  • 🍓 Natural freckles (real or faux)
  • ❤️ A subtle wash of red or berry-toned eyeshadow

The result? You look healthy, radiant, and effortlessly cool.

Why everyone’s obsessed

Cherry makeup somehow manages to be both minimal and eye-catching. It’s quick enough for an everyday look but pretty enough for brunch, concerts, beach dates, or your next vacation photo dump.

Even better? It works on every skin tone. The trick is finding a cherry shade that complements your undertones—from bright candy reds to deep black cherry hues.

How to get the look

You don’t need a brand-new makeup bag to jump on this trend.

Start with lightweight, glowy skin. Skip the heavy matte foundation if you can and let your natural complexion shine through.

Next, apply a vibrant red or berry blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend it upward toward your temples. Don’t be afraid if it looks bold at first—the fresh flush is the whole point.

For lips, use a tinted balm, lip stain, or glossy cherry-red lipstick. A softly blurred edge makes the look feel effortless instead of overdone.

Finish with fluffy brows, a touch of mascara, and a dab of highlighter anywhere the sun would naturally hit.

That’s it. Seriously.

Cherry-coded accessories

Want to lean all the way into the aesthetic?

Pair your makeup with:

  • Cherry hair clips
  • Red ballet flats
  • Glossy cherry nails
  • Tiny fruit jewelry
  • White sundresses or denim overalls
  • A cute woven tote

It’s the ultimate “clean girl meets Y2K” crossover.

The verdict

Cherry makeup is proof that beauty trends don’t have to be complicated to make an impact. It’s fresh, fun, wearable, and gives that healthy summer glow without spending an hour in front of the mirror.

So if you’re looking for one trend to wear on repeat this season, consider this your sign to go cherry-coded.

Trust us—this look is the cherry on top of your summer beauty routine. 🍒

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Book Review: Indie Darling by Lauren Nossett

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PLOT SUMMARY:

Nashville is a city of two faces, where the glitter often masks the grit.

Kelly Williams, a Dolly Parton–loving, sports-car-driving private investigator in Nashville, helps women. Sisters in search of lost siblings. Wives determined to uncover affairs. Daughters haunted by men lingering outside their windows. Clients trust her because she listens, she believes them, and over the years she’s honed a specialized skill set.

Her latest client is Sarah Owens, better known as Seraph, the magnetic and polarizing lead singer of the indie sensation The Garden Snakes. After a series of threats turns violent, she hires Kelly to identify her assailant. With feminist anthems, cryptic lyrical easter eggs, and an electrifying stage presence, Seraph has built a fiercely loyal following—and attracted a number of critics. At that level of fame, her attacker could be anyone.

Then, in the middle of a Nashville performance, Seraph is shot on stage. The ambulance carrying her disappears. As the city reels and conspiracy theories swirl, Kelly is pulled into a dangerous web of secrets involving Seraph’s bandmates, her troubled past, and the high cost of stardom.

GRADE: A-

REVIEW:

Indie Darling was such a delight, made even better by narrator Amara Jasper, who delivers an excellent performance and absolutely nails the Southern accent.

Kelly Williams is a Dolly Parton-loving private investigator who gets called in to help one of Nashville’s biggest stars, Sarah Owens, better known by her stage name, Seraph. Seraph has been dealing with a relentless stalker and a series of frightening attacks. Then, in the middle of a concert, she’s shot. But before anyone can make sense of what happened, her body disappears, leaving everyone asking the same questions: Who shot Seraph? Who stole her body? And was there ever a body at all, or was the entire incident an elaborate setup?

This was a fun, fast-paced mystery that kept me guessing. Kelly is a fierce, determined protagonist with plenty of Southern charm, making her impossible not to root for. I especially loved the Nashville setting and the music industry backdrop, which gave the story a unique twist. Overall, I had a great time with this audiobook and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries with a musical flair.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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🍓 The Ultimate Summer Fruit Fiesta Bowl

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When summer rolls around, I have one rule: the less time spent in the kitchen, the better. Give me sunshine, flip-flops, and a bowl overflowing with juicy, colorful fruit.

This Summer Fruit Fiesta Bowl is sweet, refreshing, and comes together in about 10 minutes. It’s the perfect treat for pool days, backyard BBQs, or those afternoons when it’s just too hot to bake. Bonus? It looks gorgeous on the table and tastes like summer in every bite.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups strawberries, sliced
  • 2 cups watermelon, cubed
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 2 peaches, sliced
  • 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Fresh mint, chopped
  • Optional: vanilla yogurt, whipped cream, or toasted coconut for topping

Directions

  1. Add all of the fruit to a large bowl.
  2. Whisk together the honey and fresh lime juice.
  3. Drizzle over the fruit and gently toss until everything is lightly coated.
  4. Sprinkle with fresh mint.
  5. Chill for 20–30 minutes, then serve on its own or top with yogurt, whipped cream, or toasted coconut.

Why You’ll Love It

🍉 No baking required.

🍓 Ready in 10 minutes.

🫐 Naturally sweet and bursting with fresh flavor.

🍑 Easy to customize with whatever fruit is in season.

Pro Tip

Pop your watermelon and grapes in the freezer for about 30 minutes before mixing everything together. They’ll keep the salad extra cold without watering it down like ice does.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself, this fruit bowl is proof that the simplest recipes are often the most delicious. So grab your biggest bowl, load it up with your favorite summer fruits, and enjoy every juicy, refreshing bite. Summer never tasted so good!

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Book Review: Make Me Better by Sarah Gailey

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WELCOME TO KINDRED COVE.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Celia is so tired of being alone. All she wants is to have a family—to belong to someone. That’s why she’s going to Kindred Cove for the annual Salt Festival held by the secluded community that lives there. They promise that healing is possible. They promise that transformation is inevitable. There is no grief at Kindred Cove, because there is no suffering. Nothing is ever lost.

Celia knows that, at that mysterious island surrounded by that impossible, ever-growing reef — she will find herself.

She’s ready to be healed. She’s ready to be transformed.

She’s ready to believe.

GRADE: C

REVIEW:

I made it through Make Me Better, but it was a struggle. If I hadn’t been listening to the audiobook, this probably would’ve been a DNF for me.

The premise—a cult that promises to transform you into a better version of yourself—hooked me immediately. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t live up to the concept. The story dragged, the pacing was painfully slow, and it felt much longer than it needed to be. The only thing that kept me going was Xe Sands’ fantastic narration.

If you enjoy a slow-burn story, this one might work for you. For me, it was just too slow. That said, the ending was absolutely devastating, and it delivered an emotional punch that almost made the journey worthwhile.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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Book Review: Morsel by Carter Keane

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Bite the hand that feeds you…

PLOT SUMMARY:

Lou did what the children of parents with backbreaking, poorly paying jobs are supposed to do: pulled up her bootstraps, went to college, and got an office gig with coworkers who won’t stop talking about their multilevel marketing scheme disguised as self-betterment.

When Lou accepts a property appraisal assignment in the rural hills of Ohio, she knows it’s her last chance to save her job and keep making rent. But she quickly finds herself stranded in the middle of nowhere with a sabotaged truck, her dog, and someone–or something–stalking her through the ancient Appalachian woods.

If she can’t escape the woods in time, she’ll see firsthand that her job isn’t the only thing that wants to eat her alive.


GRADE: A

REVIEW:

Morsel is a pulse-pounding folk horror novel that grabs hold from the very first page and never lets go.

Lou is sent by her boss to the remote hills of rural Ohio, accompanied only by her loyal dog, Ripley. What begins as a routine assignment quickly spirals into a nightmare when she realizes someone—or something—is stalking her through the forest. As the tension mounts, Lou finds herself fighting not only for her own survival but also for Ripley’s.

This is a fast-paced, relentless read filled with suspense and dread. The audiobook narration was particularly effective, capturing Lou’s growing fear, paranoia, and determination as she navigates the dangers lurking in the woods.

And then things get even darker.

When an ancient god awakens, the story erupts into bloody, supernatural chaos, elevating the terror to another level entirely.

If you’re a fan of atmospheric folk horror, isolated wilderness settings, and escalating supernatural dread, Morsel is well worth picking up. Highly recommended for readers who loved The Blair Witch Project and enjoy horror that blends folklore, mystery, and survival.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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Book Review: Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim

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The border cuts you in two.

PLOT SUMMARY:


When you immigrate, you leave a copy of yourself behind, an instance. One person enters their new country; the other stays trapped at home.

Some instances keep in touch, call each other daily, keep their lives and minds in sync in the hopes of reintegrating and resuming a life as one person. Others, like Soyoung Rose Kang, leave home at ten years old and never speak to their other selves again. Rose, in America, never imagined going back to Korea until her grandfather died and her Korean instance called her home for the funeral.

She doesn’t know that Soyoung plans to steal her body and her life.

How far would you go to live the choice you didn’t make?

GRADE: A

REVIEW:

Sublimation is equal parts tech thriller and diaspora story, set in a fascinating world where emigration creates two versions of a person: one remains in their country of origin while another begins life in their new home. It’s a bold, thought-provoking premise that immediately drew me in, and the excellent audiobook narration made the story even more immersive.

At the heart of the novel are the two versions of Soyoung Rose, each living a life the other envies. Watching them grapple with their separate identities, desires, and regrets was compelling. When they ultimately choose to merge into a single self, they discover that becoming whole comes with consequences neither could have anticipated. Their lives—and their understanding of who they are—can never return to what they once were.

This is the kind of complex science fiction that’s difficult to summarize but deeply rewarding to experience. Beyond its inventive technology, Sublimation explores questions of identity, belonging, and the different versions of ourselves that emerge from the choices we make. As someone who is both Italian and American, I found its exploration of dual identities especially resonant.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy thoughtful science fiction that blends cutting-edge ideas with emotional depth. If you’re looking for a story that combines futuristic technology with a heavy dose of soul, Sublimation is well worth your time.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & MacMillan Audio for the audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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How to Recharge During Spring Without Turning Into a Productivity Robot

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Spring has officially entered the chat. The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and suddenly everyone online is acting like this is the season to “reinvent yourself.” New routines. New goals. Green juice. Sunrise yoga. A personality built entirely around matcha.

Meanwhile, some of us are just trying to recover from winter and remember what joy feels like.

Good news: spring doesn’t have to be about becoming a brand-new person. It can simply be about recharging your batteries like a slightly overheated iPhone. Here’s how to do it without making your life feel like a self-improvement boot camp.

Romanticize Literally Anything

Spring is the perfect time to become the main character of your own mildly chaotic little life.

Drink iced coffee like you’re in an indie movie. Open the windows dramatically. Take a walk while pretending you’re “clearing your mind,” when really you’re just avoiding emails.

Tiny moments count. A five-minute dance break in your kitchen absolutely counts as wellness.

Touch Grass. Seriously.

Winter turns everyone into an indoor crypt keeper. Spring is your reminder that sunlight exists.

You do not need to suddenly hike a mountain at 6 a.m. Just go outside. Sit on a bench. Wander through a farmers market. Stare at flowers like you’ve never seen colors before.

Fresh air is weirdly effective. Nature really said, “Here, have some serotonin.”

Declutter One Tiny Thing

Not your entire house. This is not a reality show makeover montage.

Pick one thing:

  • Your junk drawer
  • Your car
  • The chair covered in “not dirty but not clean” clothes
  • Your camera roll full of blurry screenshots

Tiny acts of organization feel suspiciously powerful. Like your life may not be fully together, but at least your sock drawer isn’t plotting against you anymore.

Make Your Evenings Softer

Spring evenings hit differently. The light stays longer. The air feels lighter. Your nervous system deserves a little softness too.

Try:

  • Reading outside
  • Taking an “I survived today” walk
  • Lighting a candle for absolutely no reason
  • Listening to a playlist that makes you feel like you have your life together

Not every evening needs to end with doomscrolling until your eyes dry out.

Stop Treating Rest Like a Reward

You do not need to “earn” rest by being productive enough first. Existing while exhausted is not a personality trait.

Spring energy isn’t about doing more. It’s about feeling more alive again. Sometimes recharging looks productive. Sometimes it looks like laying in the sun like a sleepy house cat. Both are valid.

Do Something Just Because It Sounds Fun

This is your official permission slip to:

  • Buy flowers for yourself
  • Wear brighter colors
  • Start a random hobby
  • Eat lunch outside
  • Make chaotic spring playlists
  • Say yes to spontaneous plans

Joy is productive too.

Final Thoughts

Spring is less about becoming a “better” version of yourself and more about waking back up after winter drained the life out of everyone collectively.

Recharge slowly. Romanticize your life a little. Open the windows. Let yourself feel lighter.

And if all else fails? Sit in the sun with a snack and pretend you’re photosynthesizing.

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