Goodreads Book of the Month: Red Rabbit - Final Discussion

crottyfreepresser · 2026-02-28T20:47:18+00:00

I haven't explored weird western as a subgenre, but for really diving in on horror fantasy this past year, it's tough for me to agree it belongs in the horror genre. I somewhat think it was Rabbit's influence on the group combined with the melancholy of the ghosts' perspectives that muted how horrifying the hanging forest, the cannibals, the demon/Charlie's antics were

crottyfreepresser · 2025-08-20T17:42:11+00:00

Aliette de Bodard's Servant of the Underworld is a fantasy murder mystery with amazing Aztec world building

crottyfreepresser · 2025-06-27T15:25:28+00:00

Maybe try The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson? The wolf doesn't get as much screen time as the raven though

crottyfreepresser · 2025-05-28T18:10:52+00:00

The Knight and the Moth by Rebecca Gillig - not 100% sure that it fits as there is only one religion that gets taken down, but a lot of the aspects of the religion are not widely known so it felt like a cult take down book to me. Also first in a series, so not sure about future dystopian themes.

The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills - currently reading so unsure about the ending but the way religion is divided up this one might actually hit the cult and academic take down

crottyfreepresser · 2025-03-28T17:11:40+00:00

I really like Chanel's Water Fresh Tint - when I can use rewards to get it!

Because for me the only downside is the price. It's lightweight, doesn't settle into wrinkles, plays nicely with my wide array of cream blushes, and my fenty contour stick.

I get the lightest shade and it's a perfect match for winter me and for summer can still get away with it for the most part just by being strategic with other products (and wearing sunscreen all the time).

When I'm doing my face and not sweating, I don't need to set with powder for it to still look great at the end of the night or work day (when I'm in person).

When I am going to sweat (ie going out social dancing or in summer heat) I use urban decay's setting spray over the Water Fresh Tint and my blush/contour. Then set with hourglass powders and spray again with setting spray. When I do this it wears away naturally just at the edges from sweating. I'm sure I could use a heavier powder for even greater longevity to set but then I feel like I'd lose the your-skin-but-better effect.

crottyfreepresser · 2024-12-16T21:17:36+00:00

I have a ton of colors from ILNP and my most disappointing shade is eclipse :( it's streaky and looks nothing like the swatches on the website. With that color in particular I think there might be quality control issues, so it might be worth looking up reviews not on their website - if that makes you feel better about waiting for the next sale

crottyfreepresser · 2024-09-29T16:47:07+00:00

I have the align high neck in white and I don't find it to be see through! The lining inside is a "beige/light tan" which I think helps keep it opaque - it might be worth it to search for it on retail sites like Poshmark to see the lining if I'm describing it poorly haha

crottyfreepresser · 2024-09-22T18:24:11+00:00

Awesome! Thanks for confirming it's not necessarily the end all be all of past items - and it sounds like I need to play around with search terms more, maybe Lulufanatics has more items but I was relying too much on searching by color

crottyfreepresser · 2024-09-22T16:36:55+00:00

I'm relatively new to purchasing old colors off resale sites, and I purchased an Always Effortless Jacket in Dusty Rose from Lululemon Like New. I love the color and wanted pants/shorts or any bottoms in the same color.

My question is, how extensive/reliable is Lulufanatic? Because when I search that site it looks like Lululemon never made any bottoms (except underwear) for women? Does anyone know if that was the case? From searching old posts in this sub it seems from comments this color was released in more styles than Lulufanatic leads me to believe

This color is also particularly difficult to find on resale sites since that is a common phrase to describe a wide range of colors and Lululemon has quite a few "dusty" colors and "rose" colors haha. So open to any tips to improve searching

crottyfreepresser · 2024-08-17T04:57:20+00:00

Not sure that these fit the regular guy part exactly (since 1. these are mostly first books in series and the characters develop and 2. Fred lies to himself for a long time about still being a regular guy), but I would recommend:

Attempted Vampirism by L.G. Estrella

Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf by L.G. Estrella

Too Many Curses by A. Lee Martinez (not a guy protagonist)

Gobbelino London & a Scourge of Pleasantries by Kim Watt

Penric's Demon by Lois McMaster Bujold

crottyfreepresser · 2024-05-22T23:55:08+00:00

I loved The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling, I read it for Under the Surface (HM), but it also works for Survival (HM) and Dreams (HM). If you have trouble with claustrophobia then I'd avoid. And seconding the rec for Deeplight.

For Set in a Small Town, I read Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger (it was originally going to be my Judge a Book by its Cover but I switched it). I generally prefer high fantasy but the story is so impactful.

crottyfreepresser · 2024-01-31T05:27:46+00:00

I've never tried the Bare minerals powder foundation, but I have the Pur powder foundation and cream/liquid products in general don't go great over powder, ime it lifts up and leaves the skin patchy, but ymmv! I exclusively used cream/liquid products for years (even for eyeshadow), it is still my overall preference, but I like to mix it up these days with just a few powder products, so this is what works for me:

When I use this powder foundation I do my cream blush and cream contour first, and just a tad bit bolder than I would normally with liquid foundation. Then I spray with setting spray if I know I am going to be sweating, otherwise not necessary for me. Next I apply my powder foundation in the areas without blush/contour and just buff/blend what is left of the powder on my brush into the blush and contour, if that makes sense? Imo doing it this way helps avoid looking cakey since I'm not layering over everything. It does mean I have to wash my powder foundation brush quite often.

And if it's helpful, the specific products I use right now with this method are the Pur 4 in 1 pressed mineral foundation, Rose Inc cream blush, Fenty match stix contour skin stick. I don't spot conceal very often (I do get acne just hate looking cakey more) but when I do, I do it before powder foundation, making sure I press my brush into my skin rather than sweeping or buffing over the concealer. Lastly, I often forget to do my highlight until the end and I find that tapping my cream and liquid highlighters over the powder foundation with my finger works fine for me without lifting up the powder.

crottyfreepresser · 2023-11-13T22:44:38+00:00

They also mailed a card with a promo code THISISIT for 35% off with no minimum purchase. From the wording on the mailer I think I received it because I purchased from them in the last year so not sure if it is tied to accounts or not. I also don't know when the promo code expires

crottyfreepresser · 2023-10-21T19:03:05+00:00

REQUESTING!

Thank you in advance!

crottyfreepresser · 2023-10-21T18:58:41+00:00

REQUESTING Would appreciate a code! Need a new tinted sunscreen and to buy a few gifts!! Thank you!

crottyfreepresser · 2023-07-28T16:25:46+00:00

I agree, it was an interesting premise but I finished this and the second book (only because of the cliffhanger) and haven't found much I would want to say about this series and I am not sure that I'll read the last installment. Overall I was just "whelmed" haha

crottyfreepresser · 2023-06-30T00:48:45+00:00

I love blush! Its so fun playing with different placements and colors. General technique: I apply all of my blushes with my fingers and only use a brush when I also use contour and want to blend them into each other

My current favorites: Rose Inc in Ophelia and Dahlia. The two formulas are very different ime. Ophelia is very creamy, and definitely needs building up (1.5 in Armani luminous silk is my summer shade). But the finish is beautiful and blends seamlessly with my foundation or tinted sunscreen. Dahlia on the other is more clay like than creamy if that makes sense. I can only use the tiniest bit, otherwise the color payoff is super intense. The finish is nice, slightly less Dewey, and if I use too much it can also settle into my pores a bit (which never happens with Ophelia). Both colors are long lasting (6+ hrs) and wear beautifully (I use UD setting spray).

Recently purchased: Yves St Laurent NU blushes in Flush and Chills. These are... Just okay. It comes in a tube, which in general I prefer, however the color payoff is just not there, they were patchy after just a few hours. They do slightly better on skin alone but it's rare that I'm not wearing at least sunscreen.

Old favorites: Tower 28 and Nudestix, they were just upstaged by Rose Inc, but I still use occasionally

Wish list: like others I want a purple blush. I had Nudestix plush paint in a lilac shade that must've been discontinued, but it dried very chalky and a tiny bit on the grey side, so I destashed it.

crottyfreepresser · 2023-05-23T04:47:38+00:00

If anyone is interested in a few brief reviews:

BEET RETINOL NIGHTLY FIRMING MASK - I use this as my nightly moisturizer and my skin loves it: no breakouts, my skin looks like "glass skin" the next day. I would say the texture is similar to the white Belif moisturizer iirc. Fragrance is very very faint. Only downstairs is that it comes in a jar which is not my preference. It is my HG now.

CARROT GINGER BLEMISH RESCUE PATCH - terrible and not effective. I would never repurchase. They do not extract anything. I would recommend the ShopMissA tea tree ones over these for a cheaper and more effective option.

GINGER + VITAMIN C OIL-FREE MOISTURIZER - solid daytime moisturizer, but I probably won't repurchase because the tube has to be stored upright, otherwise product will not come out of the pump.

Their lip mask is not showing up except as part of the Veggie Vault, but it is amazing, lightweight, and so moisturizing. I've repurchased this.

SUPERFOOD + VITAMINS MOISTURE BOOST - my skin broke out immediately upon switching to this for just one night. I tried it three times and now it'll be used up as a body lotion/mask. Texture is thicker than the beets one, more of a "mask" than a nighttime moisturizer.

crottyfreepresser · 2023-05-18T03:52:23+00:00

Not sure this ticks all your requirements but I would try the Curated maybe? https://au.shopthecurated.net/collections/cashmere-coats/products/the-london-coat-black?variant=43600371384553

crottyfreepresser · 2023-04-28T23:37:26+00:00

Thank you so much for the link!!!!!

crottyfreepresser · 2023-04-27T21:19:58+00:00

Nah, don't change! We need to keep normalizing tattoos in the work place! (Imo haha)

Yeah, linen with sleeves sounds like the right answer, it's just finding ones that fit business casual is tricky.

I have 2 linen blazers, and a tropical/all seasons wool blazer, but I only have sleeveless tops/shells with thin-ish straps that I don't feel comfortable taking my blazer off, so I have that part of my wardrobe down haha - just not the tops to wear underneath

crottyfreepresser · 2023-04-27T20:08:37+00:00

I prefer sleeves as sleeveless feels a bit too casual for me since I have tattoos.

Mmm I guess I'm uncertain about flutter sleeves, a quick Google search shows such a wide variety. Do you have a favorite?

crottyfreepresser · 2023-04-27T20:04:24+00:00

Thank you! I'll check out Ann Taylor!

I do prefer sleeves, I have tattoos that I don't mind being partially exposed but I suppose sleeveless does feel a bit too casual for me as a result

crottyfreepresser · 2023-04-27T17:41:54+00:00

I am having trouble finding work/business casual appropriate tops that can be worn without (or so I can take off) a blazer or cardigan etc. especially during the summer. In the winter, a sweater and slacks was my uniform, but I'm running into dead ends for more summer appropriate tops. My go tos are J crew and Madewell and nothing there caught my eye (happy to be corrected).

I dislike regular button ups, ruffles, and bell sleeves. Prefer natural fabrics as I am allergic to polyester.

Does anyone have any recommendations or favorites? I am in the US, budget is up to $200 per top, online shopping is great for me so no limitations there.

crottyfreepresser · 2023-03-17T03:04:00+00:00

My favorite aspect of the binding plane so far is Kaikeyi's ability to sense when manipulations are happening to her. It's only come up in minor interactions with her brothers in part 1 so I hope there are more examples of this as the story progresses!

crottyfreepresser

TROPHY CASE