The Eighth Day of Christmas with Krystal Lake: Xmas Cocktails

Okay, so anyone who knows me is well aware that I am a Maker's Mark girl! I have even ventured out to Kentucky to do the distillery tour and dipped my own bottle. Yeah... I'm that girl.  I also raided the gift shop and if I'm ever out and see a gift set with a bottle and glasses, I have to have it! I can't help it, I have been this way since I turned 21. I will never forget the first time I had whiskey and I realized that is what grandma's breath smelled like at holiday parties. So, I guess you could say it's a family thing. As a result, I will try and have tried many of the Maker's Mark drink recipes that do not have dairy in them and aren't super complicated. All of the drink recipes I am sharing with you today are from the Maker's Mark website, but I have tried them all and love them! So if you like whiskey and or cider flavored cocktails, some of these might just be your cup of tea.

I'm going to share my favorite three Maker's Mark Cocktails: Kentucky Mulled Cider, Bourbon Cider Cocktail, and Kentucky Bubbly.

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Kentucky Mulled Cider

"Hot, spicy and sweet, the Kentucky Mulled Cider is perfect for cold-weather parties or just sipping by the fire." - Maker's Mark Official Website

Ingredients

-1 1/4 parts Maker's Mark Bourbon
- Hot Apple Cider
- Dash of allspice
- Tall cinnamon stick and lemon slice for garnish

Instructions

1. Add Maker's Mark Bourbon to a footed mug.
2. Fill Mug with hot apple cider and a dash of allspice.
3. Garnish with a tall cinnamon stick and lemon slice.

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Bourbon Cider Cocktail
By Anthony Caporale - Host, Art of The Drink and Mixology Consultant

"The dry apple flavor in the cider pairs perfectly with the Maker's Mark Bourbon and bitters. This easy-drinking cocktail goes with almost anything." - Maker's Mark Official Website

Ingredients

- 1 part Maker's Mark Bourbon
- 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 3 parts dry hard cider
- Maraschino cherry and orange slice for garnish

Instructions

1. In a champagne glass, stir together the sugar and the bitters until the sugar dissolves.
2. Add Maker's Mark Bourbon.
3. Top with cold cider.
4. Garnish with a cherry and a slice of orange.

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Kentucky Bubbly

"A favorite around Derby time, this sparkling drink is a perfect way to celebrate your winner - or your also-ran." Maker's Mark Official Website

Ingredients

- 1 part Maker's Mark Bourbon
- Chilled Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider
- Maraschino cherry

Intrsuctions

1. Add Maker's Mark Bourbon to a champagne flute, then fill with chilled sparkling cider.
2. Add a Maraschino cherry,

If you are interested in more recipes with Maker's Mark, I highly recommend checking out their website here. If you have any drink recipes you think I might like, please share them in the comments below!

Stay Sweet and Twisted,

Krystal Lake

The Seventh Day of Christmas with Krystal Lake: Favorite Xmas Songs

Yeah, as soon as Thanksgiving is over, there is no freaking way to avoid Christmas songs. In the car, shopping, watching tv... I mean these songs are everywhere!!!!! I have a bunch of weird favorites. Some traditional and classic while others are more contemporary. Regardless, they hall have that holly jolly spirit that, no matter how hard I try to resist, I just effing can't!

Here is a quick list of some of my favs:

1. Judy Garland "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" I am sort of a huge Judy fan. Maybe it's because we share the same birthday, maybe because The Wizard of Oz still makes me smile ear to ear when I see it's on tv... who knows! All I know is I love this lady, even on her not so classy and sober days.

2. Brenda Lee can do no wrong in my eyes! I want her "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree", "Jingle Bell Rock"N, telling me about "A Marshmallow World", and even about those darn "Silver Bells"! My absolute favorite of hers is "I'm Gonna Lasso Santa Claus". Don't ask.

3. "Oi to the World" by The Vandals. No Doubt also covered this punk rock Xmas song. I first heard it working at Spencer's during the holidays and it quickly became a favorite of mine... well, as far as holiday songs are concerned.

4. Something Corporate's "Forget December". Yeah, this is my inner 16 year old, pop punk princess coming out. If the name of this band rings a bell, but you can't place them... the lead singer of this band went on to front another band called Jack's Mannequin. After that, he went by his own name, Andrew McMahon and has a little band with him called The Wilderness. I love seeing a talented musician from when I was high school who is still able to make incredible music today. It warms my little heart!

5. Another person who can do no wrong in my eyes as far as holiday music is concerned is Bing Crosby. Yeah... I love em all! "White Christmas", "It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas", "Here's Comes Santa Claus", and "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!" ... Just to name a few. Side note: Bing Crosby and David Bowie sang a few Christmas songs together... "Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy".

6. The Ramones and "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" is another one I freaking adore. Again, heard this one when I worked at Spencer's and it became a regular in my Xmas Music rotation. Yeah... I have an Xmas Playlist. I play it when I go creeping around at night to look at Christmas lights. That is my #1 favorite thing to do during the holidays. I'm allllllll about those lights!

7. This last one, I can't explain, I just know I love it. A lot. Like a lot a lot. Waaaaaayyyyy more than I should admit. Yeah, it's "We Need A Little Christmas" by Angela Lansbury. Yeah... I don't know.

Okay, so that it my Xmas Playlist.... well, part of it. I didn't want to overwhelm anyone with feelings and make their heart grow three sizes today. Have a favorite Xmas song you think I might like? Or maybe one that is a favorite of yours? Leave a comment below or even a link as well and I'll check it out!

Stay Sweet and Twisted,

Krystal Lake

The Sixth Day of Christmas with Krystal Lake: Books to Read in 2016

A new year brings so much to look forward to. A new outlook on life, a fresh start, the new season of Shameless on Showtime. Okay, I snuck that one in there. While I do love a good lifestyle change, I love looking forward to pop culture stuff way more! New albums, new tours, new seasons of tv shows, new movies, and new books! Today, I want to take a moment and share some of the titles that I am super excited for in 2016!

So Sad Today: Personal Essays
By Melissa Broden
Release Date: March 15, 2016


Melissa Broden has always struggled with anxiety. Her response to it? In 2012 she created an anonymous Twitter account called @sosadtoday. She asked questions most people would never ask and even more would never even dream of answering. This book is filled with her personal essays on love, sex, death, love self-esteem, addiction, and the drama of waiting for the universe to text you back. This is one of those books that will, more than likely, take on you a whirlwind of emotions from happy to sad to laughing out loud to on the verge of tears. Yeah... I can't wait to have my heart toyed with.


Living Like a Runaway: A Memoir
By Lita Ford
Release Date: February 23, 2016

That's right!!!!!! The long awaited autobiography of Lita Ford is only two months away!!!!! I can't wait to hear her spill on her experiences as a female musician in the 70s and 80s. In case you don't have a clue who Lita Ford is, she is known as the Godmother to Rock N Roll. She was the lead guitarist to the pioneers of rock, The Runaways. Still lost? Remember that film where Dakota Fanning ran around painted up like David Bowie and was in her underwear half the time? Lita Ford was the guitarist who wasn't Joan Jett or Kristen Stewart for you special folks.


13 Minutes
By Sarah Pinborough
Release Date: February 18, 2016

This one is a teen drama. You'll see what I mean. Check out this little teaser from the author:

"I was dead for 13 minutes. I don't remember how I ended up in the icy water but I do know this - it wasn't an accident and I wasn't suicidal. They say you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but when you're a teenage girl, it's hard to tell them apart. My friends love me, I'm sure of it. But that doesn't mean they didn't try to kill me. Does it?"

Ohhh yeah, it's gonna get real!


This Is Where It Ends
By Marieke Nijkamp
Release Date: January 5, 2016

This is another teen title, but with a rather tough subject - a school shooting. In this book, a high school principal gives a speech to an auditorium of students. When she is done, the student get up to leave, but the auditorium doors are locked. That is when the shooting begins. This book covers spans the course of 54 minutes told through four different eyes and how one students revenge turns into everyone else's survival. In case I never warned anyone, I don't always read feel good books, and I don't anticipate this tale to have the happiest of endings.


A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedics Wild Ride to the Edge and Back
By Kevin Hazzard
Release Date: January 5, 2016

Meet Kevin Hazzard! He went from being a failed salesman to local reporter and now paramedic. After the attacks on 9/11, Kevin found himself needing to give his life more meaning and really wanted to test himself as well as make a difference. What did he discover about himself? He really has a knack for emergency medical treatment. This autobiography let's you get to know Kevin as he shares his tales from being an EMT in Atlanta. Kevin has a way of telling the most tragic stories that remind us of how precious life really is paired with laugh out loud moments to keep you smiling through the worst. I am so excited for this book! I love a good bio, especially one that makes you more aware of yourself just because it really reminds you how short life is.


Gena/Finn
By Kat Helgeson and Hannah Moskowitz
Release Date: April 5, 2016

This is a story about two girls who would have never met if it wasn't for a mutual love for a tv show. Both are young adults and are sharing their life stories with one another. From job hunting to whether or not to marry the current boyfriend. Something goes wrong for Gena and her life is turned completely upside down and Finn is the only one who can save Gena from complete destruction. This is the story of friendship and love in a digital age, which I see more and more with each passing year. I have friends that I would have never met if it hadn't been for apps like Instagram. People I have met, hung out with, met their spouses, and even have become good friends with. This story is told through texts, e-mails, blog posts, and journal entries. I can't wait to read this one!!


Alrighty, those are just a few books that I am looking forward to reading in 2016. Is there a book you think I might like or one you want to recommend based on my choices? Leave me a comment below with the title and the author! I love a good read!

Stay Sweet and Twisted,

Krystal Lake

The Fifth Day of Christmas with Krystal Lake: Favorite Xmas Foods

Let's be real... Christmas, like every holiday, comes with expectations when it comes to food. Valentine's Day has chocolate, Independence Day has hot dogs, and Thanksgiving has turkey. Christmas is that one holiday where everyone has their own traditions. Some people make a Christmas ham while others might have a Tofurkey, but one thing is for certain: everyone has cookies! Today I am going to share some of my favorite Xmas foods. I am going to try and keep it short, so don't be mad if it seems like I left something out.

1.  Green Beans!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know why, but I have always loved green beans. I like them cold, cooked, crunchy, in a casserole! I have never been that kid that hated veggies, no matter how green they might be. The one exception being brussel sprouts. However, I recently learned that I do like brussel sprouts as long as they aren't steamed. Halve those suckers, coat them in olive oil and spices, and roast those satan vegetables!

2. Cranberries

I hated these as a kid. I liked cranberry juice, but even that I could only take in small doses. As i got older, I realized I really liked these little guys. I want them on my potatoes, on my stuffing, on my turkey. In my world, cranberries are the new gravy. I said it! I'm not taking it back!!!!

3. Gingerbread

Yeah, this stuff is like crack. I love something sweet with a bit of a kick to it. Yummy!!!!!!

4. Christmas Cookies

If you don't love Christmas cookies, you probably don't have a soul. Just kidding... sort of. I want all the cookies except for rum balls. Those things can burn in hell. I had one as a child and spit it out instantly. Rum balls are why I have trust issues, not oatmeal raisin cookies that look like chocolaty chip.

5. Grandma's Kid Friendly Bev

When I was a kid, I was all about sparkling cider, but when There are a zillion grandkids, a bottle of that does not go a long way. Grandma had a solution. Something sweet and something bubbly so it looked like champagne in our fancy stemware. She mixes a bottle of cranberry juice with a bottle of 7 Up. Yup.... that's how we roll!

I hope you enjoyed today's list. What are some of your favorite holiday foods? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay Sweet and Twisted,

Krystal Lake

The Fourth Day of Christmas with Krystal Lake: Best of 2015

This year had lots of ups and downs. I wasted so much time focusing on the bad, that I think all of the good things need some special attention! So many amazing things happened this year. I had an amazing vacation to Myrtle Beach, my first trip to NYC, I met an actress in a Universal Monster movie, I drove from Vegas to Baltimore, and I got to meet Matthew Lillard! I don't know where to start! Here they are in no particular order, My Best of 2015 List!

1. NYC Trip #1

This year started with my very first trip to NYC! Not only did I run around the city, I also drove there. I know... what the hell was I thinking!?!! I had an amazing time despite the cold weather and traffic. I had amazing coffee, saw a John Waters art exhibit, saw where Debbie Harry lives, and fell in love with the subway.

2. NYC Trip #2

This time around, I took the bus. I did touristy things like run around Time Square and visited places I had heard about on TV. I went to St Marks and bought a million t shirts of Blondie at Trash and Vaudeville. I visited Obscura, the shop that the show Oddities revolves around and bought a post mortem photograph of a baby. The best, was seeing John Cameron Mitchell reprise the role of Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. If you had told 16 year old me that I would be seeing John Cameron Mitchell as Hedwig I would have told you to go eff yourself, but it happened. 

3. Road Trip

So, this summer had a lot of crazy things happen. I turned 30, I vended at Hon Fest, I saw Florence and the Machine, and I drove from Las Vegas to Baltimore. Yup. And I did it in four days with my sister and her 3 small kids. I was able to see so many states in such a short period of time and it was amazing. My favorite to look at was definitely Colorado, but my favorite to act touristy was Kansas. I had to see The Wizard of Oz Museum. PS They have a Wizard of Oz Winery next door. I highly recommend paying them a visit as well. 

4. Ouija Con

The weekend the riots started in Baltimore, I was spending the weekend with my mother celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Ouija Board! I have never had so much fun hearing people talk about history in my life! There were vendors, a museum, guest speakers, and even cake! That's right.... cake! Guests included Robert Murch, Jeff Belanger, Mike Zohn, Chip Coffey, John Zaffis, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, and Darren Evans.... just to name a few. I'm really happy I was able to attend all three days of this event. I met some very awesome people and learned so much more than I thought I would. 

5. Meeting Julie Adams

This summer, I went to a screening of Creature from the Black Lagoon. It was in 3D, as it was originally intended to be seen and it was stunning! After the screening, Julie Adams did a quick Q&A session followed by a signing. I had her sign a poster I already owned and bought a copy of her bio which she also signed. I was so excited! I am 30 years old and I can say that I have met someone who was in a Universal Monster movie!!!! 

6. Meeting Matthew Lillard

Ever since I was a kid, I have been obsessed with Matthew Lillard. Honestly, all you have to do to win my heart is be in a John Waters film and this guy happened to be in my favorite one, Serial Mom. Throw in Scream, Hackers, and SLC Punk and I am sold! He was so sweet and humble. He even stayed signing autographs an extra few hours on his last day at the convention so that everyone who wanted to meet him would be able to. He later went to a Scream panel with the voice of Ghostface and stole my heart forever. 

This year had even more goodies in store for me. Lots of live music, new tattoos, and lots of festivals. It was a blast despite some of the stressors and rough times. I know 2016 will have more amazing experiences and memories coming my way!

The Third Day of Christmas with Krystal Lake: Favorite Xmas Funny Films

As much as I love horror, I freaking love a good laugh! That is why I am bringing you a list of my top five favorite Xmas comedies! So let's just dive right in starting with number five and counting down!

5. The Ref - In this film, a man takes a family hostage only to realize he has picked the most dysfunctional family possible. The film takes place on Christmas Eve which makes it all sorts of holly jolly. All I know is that any film where a kid tells his mom that he is going to get her a big wooden cross so that every time she feels unappreciated for her sacrifices she "can climb on up and nail herself to it" is alright in my book!

4. Four Christmases - This one features a married couple who has their Xmas plans cancelled last minute and struggles to visit all four of their divorced parents. Best line: "Boys, I don't want to speak ill of your mother on Christmas, but she's nothing but a common street whore."

3. Bad Santa - This one has a conman and his little partner in crime dressing up as a mall Santa and an elf to eventually rob the department stores at the mall. However, this bad Santa ends up befriending a troubled kid and meeting a foxy lady. Throw in mall security and you have one crazy film. As much as this movie makes me laugh, it also kills me when I see the scenes with John Ritter and Bernie Mac, may they rest in peace.

2. Home Alone - My husband always says that every generation has that one Christmas movie that they can see themselves in just because they were a kid when it came out. For his Dad, it is A Christmas Story, for my husband it is Christmas Vacation. My film is Home Alone. I was five when this came out and I remember trying to set up traps whenever I left home for vacation. You know... juuuuussssst in case. For those of you who live under a rock, this movie is about a young boy who is accidentally left home alone on Christmas by his entire family. While his family is away and trying to get back home, this young boy must protect his home for a team of burglars.

1. Scrooged - This is just the funniest Christmas film ever! It makes me go through a whirlwind of
 emotions. Here we have a different take on the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. A cynical tv executive is haunted by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. I watch this one every Xmas, several times with my husband and you always know when we are watching it because my husband will update his Facebook status to say, "The bitch hit me with a toaster!"

I hope you enjoyed my list of Xmas comedies! What films do you love watching this time of year? Leave a comment below and tell me your favs!

Stay Sweet and Twisted,

Krystal Lake

The Second Day of Christmas with Krystal Lake: Favorite Xmas Horror Films

Let's be real... it wouldn't be a perfect Christmas without movies to go with it. However, I also wouldn't be Krystal Lake if I didn't want my holly jolly films to come with a dash of madness and mayhem. #ClassicKrystal I have complied a quick list of my five favorite Xmas horror films that I watch every December. I've listed them Letterman style with my most favorite last.

5. Santa's Slay - This is the most ridiculous holiday movie I have ever seen. Okay... maybe not the most ridiculous, but it is definitely up there. Basically, Christmas was originally a "Day of Slaying" until a demon lost a curling match (yes, a curling match) to an angel and was sentenced to deliver presents to children every "Christmas" for 1000 years. When Santa's 1000 years are up, he goes on a killing spree in a town called Hell. Yeah... not lying.

4. Gremlins - If you haven't seen this, you might be dead to me. It's an effing classic and so is the second film as well. Basically, a guy gets a little critter and doesn't follow the guidelines when it comes to caring for his new pet. No bright lights. No getting the little guy wet. No feeding him after midnight. worst pet owner ever! As a result, a bunch of evil monsters terrorize this small town. Merry Christmas, sukkas!

3. Krampus - Yes, this film is new. Yes, I already saw it. Yes, it is an instant fav. Yes, you should effing see it! Your basic boy having a bad Christmas accidentally summons a Christmas Demon aka Gruss Vom Krampus. I know, oldest story in the book! This movie goes from funny to creepy, back to funny, and then back to creepy again. And PS, for anyone who thinks this film is strictly horror with a cast that includes Adam Scott, Toni Collette, and Conchata Ferrell is probably the same type of person who shocked when 5pm hits on a Tuesday and finds themselves mysteriously stuck in traffic. I mean seriously? Get it together!

2. P2 - A favorite of mine and my husband. Pretty lady goes to leave work on Christmas Eve and is locked in a parking garage while being pursued by a psycho security guard. Sounds stupid, but I love it! And it won't cease to amaze you at the crazy crap this guard pulls. Mmmm, Wes Bentley makes crazy so damn sexy!

1. Black Xmas - That's right!!!! I like the remake better than the original! This film is the reason I line my hallways and living room with Christmas lights. It is the reason cookie cutters seem kind of badass. it is the reason I suck the end of a candy cane into a sharp point. I love the cast. I love the music. I love the house. I love the storyline. I love that Andrea Martin has a role in this remake since she was also in the original film as well.  I love everything about this film!

This is the story of a group of sorority girls who live in a house with quite a colorful past. A boy named Billy grew up in this home with a rare liver disease that turned his skin yellow. His mother hated him. Billy gets a bit crazy after witnessing Mommy and her lover kill Daddy and then is locked away in the attic. Throw in a little incest with mommy, attacking his sister, and killing mommy followed by making xmas cookies out of the skin on her back and you have yourself one effed up guy! Ohhh, did I mention this all went down on Christmas? Well, guess who escapes a mental institution and returns home this Christmas and starts knocking off sorority girls? Ohhh yes! Ohhhh and did I mention there is a snow storm, most college kids are gone for the holidays, and campus security and the police can't get to the house? Ohhh yes!!!!! Just talking about it makes me want to watch it now!!!!!

I hope you enjoyed my top five favorite Xmas horror films! have a favorite I didn't mention? Leave me a message in the comments below and tell me what your favorites are!

Stay Sweet and Twisted,

Krystal Lake

The First Day of Xmas with Krystal Lake: My Favorite Things of Xmas

I’m a spooky gal and as such, Halloween will always be the holiday that is #1 in my heart. However, Christmas will always be a close second… followed by Independence day. What can I say, I love a holiday that ends with a bang! Today is my first day of twelve where I will be talking about my favorite things about Christmas from horror films to cocktails. I will also share look back on the previous year as well as past Christmases and share a few stories. While I do cover a lot in the upcoming eleven days, there is still a lot I don’t. So here are five of my favorite things of Christmas that won’t be covered!

1. NUTS!!!!!!!!

Yeah. My Grandma on my moms side has a recipe for bourbon spiced pecans and they are basically the most addictive nut you will ever taste. My Grandma’s nuts have shamed fellow nutters for years. I don’t know what I enjoy more… watching my friends enjoy their ration of nuts I disperse over the holidays or the looks from my neighbors when we open our doors and all you can smell is bourbon. In any case, both reactions are epic! At this very moment, there are about twenty pounds of pecans in my kitchen waiting for the magic to be worked! #soon I will not give out this recipe. There are plenty of them online, but ours is sacred. 

2. Candles!!!!!!

I have a candle problem. I’m talking I have an overstock on tea lights (scented and unscented), small ones, large ones, three wick, special ones that a decoration only, and a wide variety of scents. I keep 3-5 lit at a time most days. I wish I was lying. I have one in my long hallway, one on the tv stand, one on each book shelf, and sometimes I have one lit in the bathroom. This time of year is my favorite. I love marshmallow scents and balsam fir. I call them my calming scents this time of year. In fall it is anything apple and pumpkin. When spring and summer hit, I like floral scents and “ocean” scents. I say “ocean” because they never smell like the beach unless they remind me of sunblock. Just saying. #getontheboatthebananboat

3. Candy Canes!!!!!!!!!

I love candy canes. I love peppermint. I have two boxes of them on my coffee table. They also remind me of myself because we are both sweet and twisted. #shamelessplug

4. Christmas Cookies!!!!!!!

I love a good Christmas cookie and I have a feeling that this year I will sit and cry while I eat them. I know… sounds like a bad episode of The Biggest Loser: Xmas Edition. When I was a kid, someone always made those butter, drop cookies with a Maraschino Cherries. I hated them. I ripped out the cherries and ate the cookie. My grandfather on the other hand, loved them! As I got older, they kind of grew on me. This will be my first Christmas since my Grandfather passed away and I have a feeling those cookies are going to do me in this year. But none the less, I will always enjoy baking, sharing, and eating Christmas cookies. I always find baking cookies to be a great stress reliever. 

5. Christmas Lights!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I’m obsessed with Christmas lights. They are my favorite of all the Christmas decorations, ever! I love putting them up, I love creeping around neighborhoods to see what everyone else has put in their yards, and I love a good professionally decorated display. I even line my hallways and living room with lights where a boarder would be near the ceiling. I have to!!!!! It makes me warm and fuzzy. I also have special battery operated lights that I keep on my tv stand year round. Ohhh, and I have a spider web candelabra that has lights on it year round as well as some other weird web lights and led spiders. What can I say? I stock up every Halloween! If you can’t tell, I really like spiders. 

Alrighty! I was trying to keep this first post short and simple and filled with exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!! and I think I have succeeded. What are some of your favorite things about Christmas? Let me know in the comments below! 

Don’t forget to check back tomorrow when I list my favorite Xmas Horror films! Did Krampus make the list? You’ll have to wait to find out! 

Stay Sweet and Twisted, 

Krystal Lake

Krystal Lake Spills the Tea on Ipsy's Glam Bag

I like make up. I like it a lot. Also in my ever-growing list of likes are discounts, packages in the mail, things that smell pretty, and glitter. Yes, I sound like most teenage girls in America, I am well aware! Based on these likes, it shouldn't come as a shock when I say I have a subscription to a make up bag that comes in the mail once a month. Yeah, I did it. I had been itching to sign up for a box full of fun crap to show up at my door, shrouded in mystery until I would receive said box and open it. I looked all over the internet and read reviews before I finally settled on a little make up bag from Ipsy.com. From there I started my love/hate relationship with the Ipsy Glam Bag.

Now, before I get rolling on the who, what, where, when, and what hells... I just want it to be made clear that I am not going to be reviewing the specific products I was given. No, no, no! There is enough of that crap out there on every make up site ever. What I am doing here is talking about Ipsy and share my experience with the notorious Glam Bag!

I started my journey with Ipsy back in March. There are a few reasons I settled on Ipsy to pop my monthly subscription box cherry. First off, I wanted make up. I can never have enough. Second, I liked the way the site was set up as far as screening for your preferences (I'll come back to this one). Third, it had YouTuber Michelle Phan backing it and that made me want to trust the service. Lastly, it is only $10 a month. That's it. No shipping added (unless you live in Canada), just a flat rate of $10 per month. So let's see... we have a box with a mystery assortment of make up from a mixture of brands as well as an excellent price point, yeah... I signed up that night.

When you decided to sign up with Ipsy you go through a "3 minute quiz" to get a feel for you and help personalize your Glam Bag. There are 13 questions total. They start out with skin type and tone, eye color, and hair type and hair color. PS There is no option apart from "other" if you have more than one color in your hair or something like pink. Next, they start asking about your style and what kinds you are interested in. That's right! You can pick more than one style!!! Like the club look for Saturday nights and a more natural look for the day? Guess what? You can pick both! You can pick every possible style they have if you like, which I thought was awesome! They even ask a second style related question where they show you images of Ipsy Stylists, including Michelle Phan, and ask which ones you could relate to the most based on their make up style. And yes, you can pick more than one! They also ask how comfortable you are with make up and how adventurous you are with it, which I also thought were great questions. Let's be real, if you aren't comfortable with make up just yet, maybe liquid eyeliner isn't a good fit for you just yet. After this, they start asking about what brands you love and would like to try as well as where you normally buy your make up. They also ask what products you normally use or would like to. They get very specific with this and ask, not just about make up, but about skin care, hair care, hair and make up tools, and even fragrance. Like I said, the process is super thorough. Once you go through all of this, you can finally give your info and sign up for real.

One thing about signing up that I did not expect was the wait. When I first signed up in March I got wait listed. They had already shipped the Glam Bag for March and April's subscription had sold out. Damn. However, you do not get charged until you get off the wait list, so I was okay with it. When May rolled around, I got the e-mail saying I was off the wait list and would get my first bag in two weeks. I was excited! Finally!!!! I was getting my first Glam Bag, but it never came. I checked the tracking and it got held up at some warehouse I had never heard of. I contacted customer service and never got a response. I was pissed, but at the same time, it was only $10. This could have been a lot worse. June came about and I got the same e-mail saying my Glam Bag was on the way, and this time it showed up! Since signing up I have received a total of three bags and have another that should arrive within the next week. Like I said, I am not going to review the specific products, but I do have pictures to share as well as my opinion on what I received.

June's Glam Bag contained the following: a small bottle of Formula X Nail Color in Power Source, treStique Mini Shadow Crayon in Kona Coffee, OFRA Eyeliner in Turquoise, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer .25 fl oz, and Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Body Butter in Pure Vanilla. I used all of the products and only kept using three of the five. If you've ever met me, that nail color was not my style. At all. Ever.

June's Glam Bag

July's Glam Bag contained the following: Eyetini Swizzle Stick Eyeliner in Blue Hawaiian, Jersey Shore Sun's Mongongo Anti-aging Lip Conditioner in Vanilla Coconut Cream, Bella Pierre Cosmetics Lipstick in P.I.N.K., Jor'el Parker Classico Perfume .30 fl oz, and Tarte's Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess. I tried all the products and still use three of the five.

July's Glam Bag

August's Glam Bag contained the following: Lather's Ultra Mild Face Wash, Doucce Cosmetics Ultra Precision Eye Liner in Black, Hikari Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Salsa, Briogeo Ginseng and Biotin Volumizer Blow Dry Spray in Blossom & Blossom, and City Color Cosmetics HD Powder. I used all of the products and still use four of the five.

August's Glam Bag

Overall, I have liked the majority of the products that have been sent to me. I have found some brands I hadn't tried in the past that I now love and some I wouldn't ever use again. I also had some familiar brands and products that I already liked swing my way as well. Plus, the bags they come in are freaking adorable! On top of the Glam Bags, Ipsy also has special offers for subscribers.

When you log onto the site, there are special offers, giveaways, sneak peeks for your next bag, and ways to earn free stuff. The special offers are all products that you can purchase at a discounted price. I've seen skin care kits go for $25 off and lip stick for $15 off and I'm talking some high end stuff with big names attached. However, you have to hurry to save because these deals sell out fast and or have a time limit. The giveaways kind of piss me off. You enter giveaways by sharing pictures on Instagram and or Facebook while using three specific hashtags that are usually #ipsy #sweepstakes and something specific to the brand of the giveaway. I don't do this because I don't share that kind of crap on-line. I share horror movies and John Waters news because I'm classy. Okay, that's a lie. I did enter a sweepstakes for free stuff from Horror Decor. But I don't want to promote something I've never tried before just to get the product that may or may not be good. Sneak Peeks for your next Glam Bag work in a similar fashion... you have to share that you are getting a Glam Bag on a bunch of social media sources via links on the Ipsy site and then you get to see what is coming your way. Yeah, I don't play that. I'm half embarrassed that I am subscriber to this thing in the first place and the last thing I want to do is brag about it. Plus, I like the mystery factor, so I will never share that I am getting a Glam Bag. Last, but not least, the free stuffz! You earn points on Ipsy for every Glam Bag you get as well as reviews, following them on Instagram, following them on Facebook, subscribing to them on YouTube, and sharing the arrival of your Glam Bag. Once you hit 500 points you can use them to get free stuff like make up and make up brushes. Since I don't like sharing this kind of stuff I have just over 100 points, but I also don't see anything I would want when I check the stuff up for grabs. However, the second they put up something like a make up brush with a spiderweb print, I'm going to be all over that mess! But I'll keep dreaming.

God, I feel long winded! Overall, I am happy with my subscription with Ipsy despite the rocky start with wait listing and missing out on a Glam Bag. The majority of what comes in the mail is a variety of items from deluxe samples to full size products. No little packets of foundation that barely cover half your face. I like the options the site gives you for free stuff if you are willing to go the extra step and give them a shameless plug on social media. Not my bag, but a lot of people do it and don't seem to mind at the chance of winning free stuff. If you are a make up person and are looking for an inexpensive, monthly subscription; Ipsy is not a bad start.

I plan on continuing my subscription at least through the holidays. If you are interested in what I get in the next few Glam Bags, leave me a message in the comments below. Do you have a monthly subscription you would or wouldn't recommend? Share that with us as well! My next monthly subscription post will be after the holidays and will be on Horror Block! I am expecting my first Block in October and I can't wait to share my experience with all of you!

Stay Sweet and Twisted,

Krystal Lake

It's #takemebacktuesday: Buffy and Angel edition!

Buffy and Angel are almost vintage shows, but they are totally awesome and really led the way for mainstream supernatural tv. Buffy was originally a movie (a classic awesome one) about a cheerleader who becomes a vampire slayer.

Whedon's formula for the show: Create a show about teenagers having normal problems while battling the forces of evil. Include gorgeous guys playing ancient vampires. Add drama, up and coming actors and actresses, and an awesome soundtrack, and you have a cult classic.

Buffy is still no longer a cheerleader, but she is the new girl at Sunndale High. Giles, the librarian, is her mentor. Xander and Willow are her friends, known as the Scooby Gang. Angel is a vampire, and he is cursed to never have true love. Spike is a bad boy turned good. These are the main characters. There are so many other good people on the show, but you need to watch it to find out!

Angel is a spin-off of Buffy. Angel moves to Los Angeles and becomes the head of a Wolfram and Hart Law office, which is run by mythical Senior partners. (This is a long story that's explained in the show). Gunn, Wesley, and a variety of other characters make this a memorable and equally interesting  series. The episodes run in tandem with Buffy, and in my opinion, was cancelled too soon.

Buffy and Angel live on in a comic book form. I suggest watching the show before picking up the comic! It's excellent!

#TakeMeHomeTuesday - Itty Bitty Kitty available pet update!

Hey Everyone,

I have some news about Itty Bitty Kitty! They are no longer using the Petco on Tighlman Street in Allentown, but you can still visit Quakertown or inquire online.  If everything works out, (keep your fingers crossed) there will be a true shelter by the end of the month! If you would like to donate, please click on the link below:

https://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/help-itty-bitty-kitty-get-a-shelter-/300732

The following cats are still available for adoption:

Roland is a friendly and beautiful orange tabby! Handsome, laid back, friendly, he's the kitty man of your dreams. Ginger cats are super lovable! I mean that face and those markings! He'll be the love of your life!

Braxton is a cutie! He's a sweet little kitten that needs your love and affection! Those ears and that face! He's friendly, outgoing, and super sweet. He'll be good for any family or multiple kitty household!

Geisha (who is actually a male) is another young cutie! He was recently brought in, and needs lots of attention! If you're adopting young kittens, it's best to get two at a time! 

Just click on one of their names above if you want to adopt them!

Itty Bitty Kitty Update, just in time for #TakeMeHomeTuesday

Hey everyone! I have great news! The shelter was approved! Itty Bitty Kitty will be able to have 35 cats, and the plan is to open up its doors in January. Now you'll be able to come and visit kitties like this in person!!

By the way, he's available for adoption. Check him out here!

Itty Bitty Kitty needs your help! We need the following items for the shelter:

Covered Litter boxes - Large or XL
Stainless steel dishes for food
Large ceramic dog dishes for water
litter scoops
toys
beds
twin sized comforters in good condition
canned food - no store brands please
gift cards to petsmart, target, home depot, and petco

National Penn Bank - 5700 Hamilton Blvd. Wescosville will be a doing a benefit drive for Itty Bitty Kitty. You can drop off any needed items at this location until December 4th

There is also a wishlist available here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2JPNAJK7821Q4

If you are interested in volunteering, please email ittybittykitty@bdog.org or call us at 610-973-7400, option 4.

Feel free to contact me with any specific questions! Feel free to leave a comment below. Anything you can do will help give these kitties a better life!

#TakeMeHomeTuesday: Glitter and London are available, and foster homes are needed!

Hi Everyone, it's Tuesday, and that means it's rescue highlight day, and I have two cats from Itty Bitty Kitty that are available right now!  I love showing you available animals. Seeing these guys go to a good home makes me so happy!

This week I want to introduce you to Glitter and London.

Glitter is an adorable tortoise shell kitty. She's super sweet and friendly. Her coat really does look like glitter when the light hits it. She's also young, a little over a year old, so she'll be a part of your family for a long time.

Glitter doing what she does best, lounging in a cat tree.

I mean really, look at that face and those markings! I have a soft spot for this particular color pattern, and their personality really matches their unique coloring. She does really well with adults (children are not her thing), and can be alone or with other kitties.


London purrs like a fiend! He's dog like, and loves to be close to people. He's very laid back and super friendly.

He's camera shy, so he closes his eyes when you try to take a picture. He's between 1-2 years old and is super fuzzy and soft. He does well with people and pets.

If you're interested in adopting either of these kitties, please go to the IBK website and fill out an application. If you're willing to foster kittens or volunteer in some way, please click on this link  for more information. We desperately need people to take in a litter. They are usually adopted very quickly, so it isn't a long term thing (unless you want to keep the whole bunch!)

PHDS: Post Halloween Depression Syndrome

At this very moment, I am looking around my house at all of my Halloween decorations and I am dreading taking them down. Yes, this spooky ghoul has special Halloween decor that I only bring out for the season. Right now, my biggest struggle is knowing I need to put away my Spooky Town Village. So many little pieces and so many boxes to pack up and move. They wait all year to be put out on display and now I have to crush their dreams and put them away. I know… suck it up cupcake and just do it. I know… I will. Trust me, I don’t want an animal or tall husband accidentally breaking any part of my village and I sure as hell don’t want to have to dust this mini village every week. Nope. I know what I need to do, but I don’t even want to get up from the couch. I don’t want to wear anything except pjs. I don’t even want coffee because I am worried it will make me perky and take charge and before you know it every speck of Halloween has disappeared into some box packed away in a closet. I can’t! If any of this sounds familiar or relatable, you too might have PHDS: Post Halloween Depression Syndrome. 

Don’t laugh. PHDS is all too real for us creepy folks. Sure we get excited for the sales after Halloween is over, but it still breaks our hearts at the same time. Home Goods is one of my most favorite stores to buy spooky home decor. They are responsible for more than half of my coffee mugs, hand towels, and tablecloths alone! I have a deep relationship with Home Goods as the season goes on and then I notice things… suddenly the shelves don’t get restocked like they used to. All of a sudden this holly, jolly son of a bitch named Santa starts showing up. At first he is here and there and then it’s like he never leaves! When Halloween finally shows up, Home Goods says, sorry boo, this is our last day together; I want a divorce. Without even thinking, Home Goods tries to get rid of everything that brought us together with cheap prices. I’m not even down from our Halloween high when I realize all that’s left of our love is a small clearance bag of gourmet candy corn with half the candy crushed and the decorative ribbon no longer in a perfect bow. My soul is crushed just like the candy corn. So what do I do? I try and see friends who will understand. 

I visit Target, craft stores, Hallmark, and even Home Depot. Hey! Home Depot has awesome decor for your front yard and is a great place to pick up a hammer to cover in blood for a photoshoot. Don’t judge me! Anyways, guess what happens when I arrive at these places???? They have all sided with Home Goods and have replaced our friendship with that jolly SOB! Damn it! I go home in defeat and start looking on-line. I find solace in Etsy shops and websites like Horror Decor. I can start to breathe. I know the first month will be the hardest, but I will move on. I will conquer this depression. 

When I finally come out of this funk I will take great joy in the fact that come September, Home Goods will be begging me to come back for more; which just goes to show, no one can resist a spooky girl. I will go back and once again, and I will restart the vicious cycle that always ends with PHDS.

#TakeMeHomeTuesday - you know you want to adopt a kitty!

Hi Everyone, I'm back with more available kitties from Itty Bitty Kitty. If you are interested in adopting, donating, or volunteering, click on the link above!

Cinnamon and Pumpkin were adopted and returned to our care because they were too playful. Look at these guys, they're fun! They're young! They're kitties!

Cinnamon

Pumpkin

Cats with this coloration are lovely and very friendly. These guys need love and toys! They are goofballs and enjoy being companions. The adoption fee for each individual cat would be $50, but if you adopt them together, it's only $75! Consider taking them home together! They'll be a great addition to your home.

The next cat is Scout.

Scout

He's a floofy tuxedo kitty. He's likey a Maine Coon,  which is a very cuddly and loving breed, but they need to be brushed daily so they don't get matted. This guy was rescued from a kill shelter and he needs your love! He's regal and friendly!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Drowning in Books with Krystal Lake Vol. 1

Welcome to the very first installment of Drowning in Books with Krystal Lake! I know, catchy, ain’t it!?!! Anyways, I since I am an avid reader, I thought I would start making posts sharing what I have read and my opinions on said books. You know, since my opinions are all that matter. Just kidding. Sort of. I am going to make a post once a month where I talk about three books I have read and because I like things to be wrapped up in a neat little package, there will be a theme. Not all books will be brand spanking new, but I will try to pick ones that are still in print or available as an eBook. You’ve been warned.

This month, I have decided to pick three books that make me remember what it is like to be scared, confused, different, and just a girl. Yeah, sorry guys, these are chick reads that are coming of age tales. They are all easy reads which is perfect for anyone looking for a good beach read while they are on vacation. However, these aren’t sappy tales where the girl gets the guy and he hurts her and true love something something the end. No. I don’t like those… typically. On today’s chopping block I have College Girl, How to Build a Girl, and I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone. 

College Girl by Patricia Weitz is kind of what it sounds like, it is about a girl in college. Natalie Bloom is a beautiful, smart, and highly insecure college student. She is 20 years old and has never had a boyfriend and is also a virgin. While her friends spend weekends at parties and going on dates, she stays in the library. This is where she meets her perfect fellow… or so she thought. Patrick is her exact fantasy of a charming, sweet, cultured, intelligent dream bloke. Yeah, think again. This guy brings out her worst insecurities and she ends up losing her virginity before she is ready. Cue the downward spiral and you’re halfway through this gem. Not only does she lose her virginity, but she also loses herself. She has no direction and he organized life takes a self-destructive turn. Natalie has to get her shit together and take some extreme measures to rebuild her self-esteem, confidence, and motivation. 

This book made me smile, laugh, sigh, and get a little angry. I don’t know anyone who made it out of college without a few ups and downs in their personal lives. Heck! I am 30 and I am still learning new things about myself everyday. I found Natalie to be very relatable just because I have always been an indecisive person, especially when I was in my early 20s. Part of that was due to me being insecure and the other part was because I really just didn’t know what I wanted. I always wanted to go with the flow and not cause ripples because I was worried that I would lose something by speaking my mind or saying how I really felt. The reality is not being honest shielded who I really was, and not just from people I dated and friends, but from myself as well. I always say it took me a long time, longer than I had realized, to be comfortable in my own skin. Which is totally true, but it took me a long time to be comfortable with who I was. It may not have seemed that way with friends, but when it came to dating, that was almost always the case. That being said, if I had read this when I was the age the main character was, I don’t know that I would have liked it because of how close to home some of the content is. None the less, it is beautifully written and I enjoyed reading it. 

Next we have How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran. This is Caitlin’s first work of fiction. It is about a 14 year old girl who had something terribly mortifying happen to her on national television.Throw in her failed rock musician father, clinically depressed mum, and younger siblings she has to take care of and you have Johanna’s life. Ohh yeah, and she is a virgin with body image issues. She wants something more. But how does one build a girl ?That is the real question. It starts with a name change. Say hello to Dolly Wilde! She is a punk rock loving chick who will tear your band a new one. By 16 she is writing regularly for a magazine, has dropped out of school, and is sleeping with rock gods. Oh, to be young and coming of age in 1990s London! The only thing about building a girl like Dolly is that what do you do when you realize being weird is not enough?

I really liked this book. It was weird, it was raw, it was vulgar at times, and it felt like a teenager was voicing the story the entire time. This book is not for everyone. If you are looking for some cookie cutter, coming of age tale that ends with true love conquering all or some Disney-esque crap like that… steer clear! The fact that Lena Dunham wrote a raving review for this book should probably raise a red flag if you don’t like her style of writing. Just saying. None the less, I was so pleased with this book, I went and bought Moran’s non-fiction book, How to Be a Woman. I can’t wait to dig into this one! But first, I should finish the other five books that I am in the middle of reading. I wish that was a joke. #bookwormforlife

Last, but not least, I want to share my love for I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert. That’s right! Not just a killer Sleater-Kinney song! This book is about a girl who was born into a family with a dark secret surrounded by self made soundtrack. Emily Black is a punk rocker with a Daddy who has a heart of gold. When her mother disappeared, Emily’s father set his music aside to take care of his daughter. Emily was a well rounded girl with a knack for nabbing “rock gods”, but soon, her and her partner in crime go from sleeping with rock gods to being them. As Emily’s music career grows bigger and bigger, her personal life begins to suffer. She finally realizes what she needs, answers.. answers that only her mother can give her, but what happens if she never finds her? 

This books was beautiful. Maybe it hit me at the right time, but I couldn’t put it down. It tugged at my heart strings, made me happy, made me mad, and even had me reflecting on decisions I have made in my own love life. I liked that this not only had a female perspective on love, but also as a woman trying to make it in the music industry. One message that i got from this book is that sometimes confronting your person demons form your past or even stepping on stage in front of a room full of people isn’t nearly has difficult has letting your guard down and falling in love. 

Well, I hope you enjoyed this first installment of Drowing in Books with Krystal Lake. There will be many more to come in the near future. Let me know what coming of age tales you would recommend in the comments below. 

Stay Sweet and Twisted,

-Krystal Lake

Skinny Chickpea Salad Recipe

Skinny Chickpea Salad

  I absolutely am in love with this salad!!!    Not only is this salad healthy but also is so simple to make and will keep in your fridge for up to 1 week after its prepared. For best results make sure the salad chills in the refrigerator for 2 hours before serving.

Ingredients

• 15 oz can garbanzo beans, rinsed + drained
• 15 oz can black beans, rinsed + drained
• 15 oz can yellow sweet corn, rinsed + drained
• 1 English cucumber, finely chopped
• 1 small pint red cherry tomatoes, sliced into halves
• ½ yellow sweet onion, finely diced (you may also use red onion or green onion)
Dressing:
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 Tbsp cilantro paste or use finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic

Instructions:

1. For salad, add all ingredients to a large bowl and cover mixture evenly with dressing. Toss salad mixture gently to mix ingredients with dressing together.
2. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
Dressing:
3. For dressing, add all ingredients into a medium size bowl and whisk until all ingredients are well mixed. Place dressing in refrigerator

ENJOY!!!!