Author: Samantha Sarti

Samantha is a full-time student at Ventura College, majoring in Social Media Marketing, with plans to transfer to a four-year university. In my free time, I enjoy reading, baking, shopping, and spending time with my dogs. My ultimate goal is to become a social media marketing manager in the luxury fashion industry.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment Books & Literature

Can’t get enough of these shows or movies? Read these books!

Have you ever finished a show or movie and wished you could experience something like it again? If you have, this is for you. Keep reading to find books similar to some movies/shows you love! Whatever genre you’re looking for, there is a book that can replicate that feeling.

Romance 🩷

Gossip Girl → Magnolia Parks

Both the series and the novel have similar themes—high society, “whodunit” mysteries, Drama, and huge parties—that follow wealthy friends as they navigate their lives. Much like Gossip Girl, Magnolia Parks dives into relationships, betrayals, and scandals that come with growing up in a world where reputation is everything.

Where to watch: Netflix, Max, and Hulu
Buy the Book: Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

Gilmore Girls → The Pumpkin Spice Café

Both the series and the novel have similar themes, like small towns, tight-knit bonds, and cafés. Both are cozy and comforting, with not a lot of drama. If you love the warm, familiar feeling of Gilmore Girls, this novel will be the perfect escape.

Where to Watch: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+
Buy the Book: The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

Mystery/Crime 🔍

Criminal Minds → The Naturals

Both the series and the novel are about FBI agents solving crimes. They’re both quick and easy to get through, keeping your attention the entire way through, and have a psychological thriller aspect. Criminal Minds focuses more on skilled agents, while The Naturals is about teenagers who were picked by the FBI to help solve crimes.

Where to Watch: Hulu, Paramount+, Sling TV,
Buy the Book: The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Knives Out → The Inheritance Games

The movie and the novel involve wealthy, dysfunctional families, games, twists, and secrets. They will do whatever it takes to get the inheritance. Both are high-stakes and fast-paced. Knives Out is about solving a murder, while The Inheritance Games is about a series of games a girl has to go through to claim her fortune.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube
Buy the Book: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Pretty Little Liars → One of Us Is Lying

The show and the novel are similar because both focus on a murder where the main characters try to figure out who did it. In both, the characters are being watched and blackmailed into doing whatever the unknown person wants. Pretty Little Liars and One of Us Is Lying follow groups of teens whose lives change when their darkest secrets are threatened to be revealed.

Where to Watch: Hulu, Max
Buy the Book: One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Fantasy 🔮

Divergent → Shatter Me

The movie and the novel have similar aspects that follow a fight for freedom, dystopian settings, and different economic statuses. Both have strong female leads and are fighting against a controlling Government. In Divergent, Tris uncovers secrets while navigating a world divided into factions. In Shatter Me, Juliette fights against the cruel reestablishment with her lethal powers.

Where to Watch: YouTube, Amazon Prime
Buy the Book: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

The Witcher → Throne of Glass

Both the show and the novel follow skilled fighters on missions, in magical worlds, with intense action. The novel leans more towards young adults, while the show is for a more mature audience. While The Witcher has more mature themes like politics and tough life choices, Throne of Glass has thrilling battles with personal growth.

Where to Watch: Netflix
Buy the book: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

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Whether you need some romance, mystery, or fantasy, these books will capture that same feeling. My personal favorites would have to be Magnolia Parks or The Naturals. If I have missed any that you would like to share, be sure to comment. I hope this helped you find your next read!

Categories
Food & Beverage Local Business

Ex Voto Ventura Interview

Sara, Samantha, Brooke, Ella, and Jaime visit Ex Voto Chocolate Shop to talk with owner Jennifer about all things chocolate. Trying different treats, like chocolates and gelato. Click the video below to see our reactions and the chocolate-making process.

Special thanks to Jennifer and the Ex Voto staff for all your help and delicious chocolate.

Ex Votos Chocolates Ventura Instagram

Ex Voto Chocolates & Confections

Contributors: Ex Voto Owner: Jennifer Smith Ex Voto Employees Featured: Sophia Soule & Kate Main Cinematographer: Sara Bowman Students Featured: Brooke Wiley, Ella Morgan, Jaime Adame, Samantha Sarti, & Sara Bowman. Editor: Brooke Wiley

Categories
Beauty & Wellness

Skincare Made Simple: The Essentials for Radiant Skin

Skincare can be confusing, especially since social media influencers have 15-step routines and all recommend different products. Truth is a simple 3-5 step routine can give the same results. Sometimes even better since you aren’t overwhelming your skin with various products. In this blog post, I’ll cover the essential steps, my personal routine, and affordable products. As a bonus, I will also talk about makeup that has skincare in it.

Essential Skincare Steps

  1. Cleanser: This washes away all the dirt and makeup, giving you a clean base for the next products.
  2. Serum: A treatment for specific things like acne, wrinkles, or brightness of the skin.
  3. Moisturizer: Locks in the hydration for the day so that your skin isn’t dry or irritated.
  4. Sunscreen: Protects the skin from sun damage and prolongs aging. This step is only used in the morning!

My Personal Routine

This is the routine I use to get clear and glowy skin! Each of these products plays a vital role in my skincare to maintain healthy skin.

Cleanser: La Roche-Posay Purifying Toleriane Face Wash for Oily Skin (Target $17.99). Use both AM and PM
Link For Facewash

Serum: Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum (Ulta $12). Use AM
Link for Hyaluronic Serum
Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum (Ulta $12) Use PM
Link for Niacinamide Serum

Moisturizer: Pacifica Glow Baby Hydrodew Moisture Gel
(Amazon $16.40) Use AM
Link for Pacifica Glow Baby
Cocokind Resurrection Polypeptide Cream (Target $28,49) Use PM
Link for Cocokind Cream

Sunscreen: Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing UV Lock Korean Sunscreen. (Target $24.99) Use AM
Link for Round Lab UV

Makeup and Skincare in 1

For people who love to wear makeup and still want to take care of their skin, here are some amazing products that range from low to high end! Not only do these products make you look good, but also keep your skin hydrated and protected from the sun. (* next to products, are the items I use)

Primer: Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas* ($54) / Elf Power Grip Primer + Niacinamide ($10)
Foundation: IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Foundation with SPF 40* ($47) / L’Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum ($16)
Blush: Rhode Pocket Blush Infused with Peptides* ($24) / Elf Halo Glow Blush Beauty Wand ($9)
Setting Spray: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray* ($38) / Elf Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray ($10)

Budget Friendly Skincare

Here are some budget-friendly skincare products that can give the same results as high-end products without breaking the bank.

Cleanser: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin ($11.99)
Serum: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum with Ceramides ($9.90)
Moisturizer: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($13.29)
Sunscreen: CeraVe AM Face Moisturizer with SPF 30 ($13.29)

Build Your Own Routine

If you want to build your own skincare routine, the first step is finding out what skin type you have and what kind of products you need. Dry skin, oily skin, normal skin, or sensitive skin. If you have Dry skin, lean towards more moisturizing and thick products. Look for ingredients like Hyaluronic acid or Ceramides in your products. For Oily Skin, more lightweight and oil-free products would be best. Look for ingredients like Niacinamide or Salicylic acid to keep the oils under control. For Sensitive skin, stick to fragrance-free products to prevent flare-ups. Ingredients like Aloe Vera and Glycerin are best because they are soothing. Normal skin is really easy since there is nothing more the skin barrier needs. As long as you are balancing your hydration and using gentle products, your skin will thrive.

I hope this guide helps you simplify your routine and start your skincare journey without all of the extra stress about products and steps. Keeping it short and simple is the best thing you can do for your skin. For any further questions, feel free to Contact Me.