It is officially, unofficially summer and I'm already counting down the days until it's fall but what else is new? I have a strong feeling this summer is going to go by really fast because I have so many things to do. There are a lot of bridal showers, weddings, and other parties which is great because I feel like my summer is planned for me without even trying.

May went by pretty slowly, in my opinion, which I am fine with because I cannot fathom how we are already halfway through 2022.  May also brought a slow down in my shopping; I really got my act together this month and stopped myself from impulse shopping many times. That being said, all my favorites I've had for a little bit and I rediscovered them this month.

PS: Don't forget to enter my 10-year anniversary giveaway! 

It has been 10 years since I published my first blog post. It was, of course, a Manicure Monday review where I compared L'Oreal nail polish to Essie polish. The rest is history.

I started Royally Pink after reading Carly's blog, then The College Prepster, and thought 'wow, there is an entire online world here that I didn't know existed. I could do this!' I became obsessed with blogs, obsessed with writing, and obsessed with the idea of making social media my career.

 I do not have the words for what happened this week. I am never one to exaggerate and say that something made me cry when it didn't but I wept this week for the little kids who lost their lives in yet another mass shooting. It's a problem when I am not surprised by it, I don't think anyone is surprised but I am angry. 

I am furious at our politicians who are supposed to represent us, who are supposed to work FOR US and continue to put their own paychecks ahead of the American people. I think a lot of people are angry, angrier than usual and I am praying to anyone who will listen, that those beautiful babies are not another tally, another talking point, another thoughts & prayers moment. I pray that this causes real change. I pray that every American is infuriated by this, by women's rights being stripped away, by LGBTQ+ rights and POC protection... I pray that every fucking state in this country turns blue in November.

The only way to protect ourselves, to demand change is to take it upon ourselves. Everyone tells you to vote and then nothing changes but I have hope this time, I don't know why. I hope my hope doesn't destroy me.

When we got word that Katharine McGee was writing a third American Royals book I was ecstatic. I wanted more of this story and felt like there was so much more to be told. There were a lot of ways McGee could've taken the Washington family story and I was really crossing my fingers for a continuation. 

Well, we got it in the book "Rivals" which comes out next week on May 31st. I was able to get an ARC from Netgalley and read it a few months ago. Rivals pick up where "Majesty" left off so I do recommend reading the first two books before diving into this -- it's essential to understanding the story. 

I was excited to get back into this alternate universe and while I have a few skewed opinions, I did like the book and we better be getting a fourth because Rivals leaves off on a huge cliffhanger.

Happy Friday! This week was fine aside from the excruciating back pain I'm still in. It's so weird that I have so many physical ailments all the time but I'm trying to work through it. This week was also a really eye-opening experience for me; I felt really lonely over the weekend and made it a point to reach out to friends and family, which honestly made all the difference.

I think I also came to the conclusion of some of the root of my problems and I am working through them. It's always satisfying when you have an epiphany and see things from a different perspective. I need to try not to take those moments for granted anymore because I definitely do.

I tend to let things get the best of me; my feelings overwhelm me and I lose sight of everything that I have worked toward. It's like my anxiety and depression paralyze me and I can't focus on anything else. It's something I really need to work on and focus on. Mental health is a real process and I'm still learning.

This weekend will be kind of lowkey but I'll be seeing some friends (and hopefully doing something really fun for the blog) and I'm looking forward to it. 

For now, let's get into the roundup! 

 I am not proud of it but Amazon is an obsession. I mean, isn't it one for everyone? When I got my first debit card at 18 years old and was at college with no supervision, I ordered something off of Amazon daily. It was an issue then and it is an issue now.

Over the years I have definitely gotten better when it comes to ordering things off of Amazon but I'm not 100% cured; I have just gotten better at recognizing what is useful and necessary.

Amazon is just too easy to use and who doesn't love next-day delivery? It comes in handy on so many occasions, especially when you need something in a pinch or don't know where to go to find something.

At the same time, I have never really shared Amazon finds, I just haven't been one of those bloggers. I think it's mostly because I really only buy odds and ends versus fashion and beauty. I am more of a home, wellness, tech, and book type of Amazon shopper. But, I'm deciding now that I can share all my favorite finds, no matter how big or small! 

 This book review is coming at a good time since Jessica Goodman's latest novel, "The Counselors" will be out in a few weeks. This was the first novel I've read by Goodman and it did not disappoint. I've been wanting to read "They Wish They Were Us" for a long time and finally got around to it a little over a month ago, and it was everything and more.

It was a really nice mix of YA (I do think it is classified as YA but felt more mature), Gossip Girl and true crime. It felt very reminiscent of "The Good Girl's Guide to Murder" which is similar to another book I recently read and will review soon.

I enjoyed this book so much that I immediately purchased Goodman's 2nd novel, "They'll Never Catch Us"  but I am still holding out hope for a sequel to this novel. 

Let's get into the review...

When looking back at my brand buzz posts I was surprised to see that I have never, not once, done a round-up of Charlotte Tilbury. I was shocked because it is the beauty brand I purchase from most often and I figured that at least within the past 3-4 years I would've talked about my all-time favorite products from the brand. 

Charlotte Tilbury is my favorite beauty brand of all time and I will buy anything they put out. Charlotte Tilbury, the person, is a world-renowned makeup artist who has taken over the beauty world with her innovative, beautiful, luxurious makeup and skincare. It all started a few years ago with her cult-classic lipsticks, especially the award-winning shade, Pillow Talk which is known for being universally flattering.

Her empire has since expanded to include even more lipstick formulas, blushes, bronzers, highlighters, skincare, and everything in between. There is something about her products, about the marketing, about the way she speaks about makeup that makes me lose my mind. Charlotte Tilbury and her band of celebrity ambassadors could sell me a water bottle and I would buy it.

You might think I'm a sucker but there are very few things from the brand that I do not like. Everything I try, which is most of her products, I like and continue to repurchase. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to include them all on this list but I cut it down to only include the items that I truly love, use consistently, and have repurchased. 

 Friday, Friday, Friday... thank God it's Friday! This was such a weird week, I don't even know where the time went. I was working from home most of the week and went into the office for a bit on Thursday. I'm also dealing with a terrible backache which I think is a mix between my period and a bad mattress.

It's so bad that I can't even bend down and it's hard to walk. I'm praying it goes away soon because it's really painful.

Anyways... I don't think there is much else to say, I'm blanking pretty hard right now so I'll just dive right into the roundup.

Thriller is my favorite genre of book, ever. I like it more than I like reading romance and I will never think something is too intense or too scary for me to read. I have read some of the weirdest, most disturbing novels and I love each one. 

It's very weird since, in real life, I am a cautionary tale. I am very careful, very scared, and always looking over my shoulder. I won't even go throw the garbage out at night and will park in front of a fire hydrant if there are no spots in front of my house. 

When this book, The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon, came across my email with a link to a Netgalley ARC I was intrigued. It didn't sound like anything I have ever read before and when I see something unique I tend to be drawn to it.

I immediately accepted the arc and got to reading. Well, I ate this book up and was surprised at how much I liked it since it is a step outside my comfort zone. The Children on the Hill is a modern retelling of Frankenstein so it has an element of supernatural mixed with the classic mystery thriller I'm used to.

When you combine both you get a really interesting, thrilling, and twisted story.

 Mental Health Awareness month is so important to me because I struggle so much with mental health. It is so empowering to me that so many other people around the world struggle with the same things I do and I am so grateful to live in a time where speaking about your mental health is normal. 

Perhaps I am lucky because I grew up in a household where mental health struggles were normal. Whenever I was feeling sad, anxious, or just out of sorts, those feelings weren't pushed away. Because my family members understood what I was going through my feelings were taken seriously and they pushed me to get better. 

I've been extremely open with my issues on the blog and social media over the years. I have never been ashamed that I have anxiety and depression because I have never felt shame around it.  The last time I gave an update was in May 2021, aka the last Mental Health Awareness Month so I guess we're making this a tradition.

The theme of Olive & June's Spring 2022 was on-brand with Bridgerton and the entire grand millennial vibe. I have been thoroughly enjoying that aesthetic and I couldn't pass up the chance to add to my collection. 

I am slowly but surely replacing all of my nail polish to be Olive & June because I don't think anything compares to this polish formula. I feel as if it's better than Essie and OPI combined; they are easy to apply, aren't patchy, and don't bleed onto your cuticles. I also think they dry a lot faster and smudge less than other brands. 

Another week, the start of another month and I'm still feeling out of sorts. This week was a whirlwind and I can't even process everything that happened. It started off so strong with Met Gala Monday; I was so excited and it was honestly perfect... until the Supreme Court document leaked and womens' autonomy over our own bodies is near the end. That threw me for a loop and it was just so enraging and upsetting.

I don't really have the proper words to explain how I feel but no one should be forced to give birth; it doesn't matter if you were raped, if the condom broke, if the fetus or your own life are in danger... we have the right to choose what happens. You can't donate organs without consent, even if you're healthy when you die. It's just outrageous and I can't wrap my head around it.

I donated to Planned Parenthood but there are so many other state and local abortion funds to donate to. I'll share a few articles below that have great information.

In other words... the Johnny Depp trial has captivated my attention and it's all I'm thinking about, I'm addicted and enthralled.  I could talk about it for hours but I won't go into it; the only thing I'll say is justice for Johnny Depp.

Let's get into the round up...

 I have always been someone who will take a pill to make me feel better. I don't really care if that is right or wrong, it's just how I feel. Modern medicine has come such a long way and as long as you do your research, talk with your doctor, and make a decision that is right for you, I think why not. 

If I'm sick I always want to feel better. I will take anything to make a headache or a stomachache go away. I don't want to be in pain so if I could take two Advil I will. 

That idea has also come with me in my wellness journey and how I feel about supplements and vitamins. I am not someone who loves vegetables and I'm allergic to every single fruit so I always need the extra vitamin and minerals from elsewhere. 

Over the years I've been pretty good about taking a multi-vitamin but this year when I went off birth control (separate post for a separate day) I had some crazy side effects and I felt like I needed to take better control of my own health. 

That is what inspired this post... my experience with a new wellness routine, including some new products and some that I've been using for at least a year. 

Please note that I am not a doctor or have any medical education, this is just what works for me right now.

 When I found out that Ruth Ware was coming out with a new book this summer I was completely overjoyed. She is one of my favorite crime/mystery authors and I love almost everything I read from her (aside from The Death of Mrs. Westaway which I DNFed). 

I was even more excited when I was approached by the publisher to receive an ARC of the novel titled "The It Girl". I have never received an ARC like this (ARC stands for advanced reader copy and what I usually receive from Netgalley) because it was a print copy but a completely unbound one. It looked like it came straight from the printer and I think that is so exciting! 

I read the book within a day or two and it is definitely one of my favorites of the year, and one of my favorites by Ware. The It Girl isn't being released until July 12th but I feel like I need to talk about it now.

Press-on nails have always been a distant thought of mine. They looked beautiful but they were difficult to put on, made my nails weak, and didn't last. I just didn't have the patience to put on a set of press-on nails, gather all the products necessary for a press-on session, and take my time with it. I need instant gratification, the kind that a quick paint session gives me. 

All of that was true until Olive & June released their Press On System a few months ago. I immediately placed an order because I trust Olive & June with my life (...that's dramatic but it's how I feel). I know that the brand takes its time when it's developing products and they don't cut corners. 

Olive & June is going to give you everything you need to perfect a manicure, even if it's a press-on one. And that's exactly what they did. With the press-on system, there was no guessing game of what you needed or buying bits and pieces from a bunch of different places. The press-on mani system gave you an entire kit from start to finish.

I decided to go in full force and order the entire kit along with one press-on manicure. I've had the kit since December but haven't tried it out until now... and I'm not really sure why but better late than never!