Boxing Day Sales

Hello Lovelies!

So a few days ago, my mother and I hit the shops in the local city to take advantage of the after Christmas sales.Such shops as Waterstones, New Look and Primark were very kind to me indeed. It was literally so busy we couldn't go into as many shops as I hoped but I think we did pretty well.

New Look:

❤ Earring set- £4.99

❤ Dragonfly scarf- £3.99

❤ Butterfly scarf- £2.00

❤ Lacy Vest- £8.00

Hollister:

❤ Solana Beach Body Spray- £8.00 

Primark:

❤ Coca Cola Jumper- £7.00

❤ Black & White Blouse- £10.00

❤ Christmassy Dressing Gown- £10.00

❤ Scarf, Hat & Glove Set- £10.00

Peacocks:

❤ Black & White Satchel- £10.00

Waterstones:

❤ John Green- Paper Town & An Abundance of Katherines- £12.99 (Buy one get one half price)

❤ Sarah Dessen- This Lullaby, The Truth About Forever, Just Listen- £14.99 

Sun Kissed and Crazy Hot

Hello lovelies! 

Eliza, Mara and Jacqui are back in the Hamptons for the first summer however things are different this year. Mara, still dating Ryan has ditched the Au Pair scene for a journalism apprenticeship with the hottest magazine in the Hamptons. She and Ryan spend the summer living on his father’s yacht however it’s not all plain sailing (see what I did there ;) ). Eliza is focusing on her fashion apprenticeship with a big designer which puts a strain on her long term relationship with Jeremy, while Jacqui continues to work for Perry’s and their children, being admired by the three new boys in town. Out of the four books in the series, Sun Kissed was my favourite, especially Mara’s story with Ryan. I love that couple :3. 

The last book in the series is Crazy Hot. I was gutted reading this, knowing it was over as soon as I read the last page. This would have been the first summer the girls spend apart; the Perry’s moving away to the UK, they were no longer needed, however a new Au Pair job came up last minute…with Eliza’s father’s new love interest. Eliza, now making a name for herself in the fashion industry, get a shock in her relationship causing a big misunderstanding. Mara, still wanting to be a writer, discovers a new hobby; writing a book about being an Au Pair. However the only thing in her way is Ryan. Jacqui discovers her looks can get her a long way…so long that she forgets about her real job…looking after the children.

I highly recommend these books to anyone. They are a really easy, feel good read filled with twists. I'm gutted they are over but maybe I’ll come back and read them again. The covers are so cute and if you are like me, obsessed with summer and outgoing, then they are for you. It’s nice to read a book that isn't just about a relationship, but also friendship, which I believe is so much more important.

Decopatch

Hello lovelies!

My cousin and I decided to take a little trip to the local 'Hobby Craft' store after we decided to get creative. I had no idea what I wanted to do, I'm not the worlds most creative person especially when it comes to painting. So that idea was not in the picture. After wondering one of the biggest stores ever we came across 'Decopatch'. This is having a cardboard template and decorating it in different colour/patterned paper. 

I got the 'M' template, as its the first letter of my name. Deciding on the paper I wanted was one hard decision but as you can see I went for a cute red and white one with three types of patterns; Spots, stripes and checks. I wanted to add some sparkles to it so we digged out some glitter glue and diamond stickers. 

Using my very brightly coloured green scissors, I started cutting out pieces and using PVA and a little brush to stick it on. Although I thought it would be messy but it wasn't too bad. That's another reason why I'm not always creative, I'm a bit of a clean freak-.-. 

I started to get way into this thing. We worked on them no stop and I'm thinking of finishing off the rest of my name when I got the time. Of course I want to find new patterns but my OCD may kick in and I'll find another red. It was quite cheap too. The 'M' was £2 and the paper was £3.79. The only disadvantage was how long it did take. Patience is defiantly a virtue. 

This is the finish product. I didn't end up using the glitter glue but I did use the diamond stickers on the top and bottom (My bad photography means you can't exactly see it, sorry). I did two different patterns on each side so when I get bored of one, I can turn it around and admire the other. I hope this post has inspired you too. It was nice to do something new. 

Beach Lane & Skinny Dipping

Hello Lovelies!

Beach Lane is the first book in a series of four. I’d never heard of this book before but when I was on holidays I made the mistake of only taking one book for three weeks so I took a little trip to the book store. When I saw this book I thought the spin of the book and the cover was really cute. Yes I judged a book by its cover. I love these books as they are set in the summer, my favourite time of year. I love the drama between the girls and also I love the Hamptons. I'm one of those girls who dream the life of luxury.

This book is about three girls, Mara, Eliza and Jacqui who get a job in the Hamptons as Au Pairs for the Perry’s, a rich well known family in the Hamptons. Eliza’s family recently went bank cropped so she thinks this jobs is her one way ticket back into the social scene of the Hamptons. Mara is from a small town, saving for college tuition. Jacqui is on the hunt for the love she recently experienced with Luca. Luca met Jacqui in Brazil before returning back to his life in the Hamptons. Now Jacqui is here to find him. However the summer does not go too smooth with betrayal, drama and heartache.

Skinny Dipping is the second book in the series. The girls are back for another summer in the Hamptons. Eliza has left the Au Pair scene for the night club sense but it isn't as glamorous as she thinks. Mara and Jacqui are still working for the Perry’s but with a new Au Pair, Philippe, a charming, tanned, muscular boy from France. Also, he’s a player.  Jacqui needs to try hard to resist his charm. Mara on the other hand, still hang up on her ex-boyfriend, gets carried away with the social sense and losing herself along the way. 

I decided to do this post in two parts. I'm currently reading the next book in the series, Sun Kissed and then the fourth and last in the series Crazy hot. I'm very excited to read them as I've really got into the books and as summer has now past, these books take me back to the good, stress-free summer I had. I recommend this series for a feel good read especially for if you have post summer depression like myself. 

Canada

Hello Lovelies!

This summer I was lucky enough to travel to the other side of the world to Canada. I spend three weeks in four different places; Toronto, Niagara, Ottawa and Kingston. It took me 8 hours to get there and 3 days to get over jet lag. 

The first place I went to was Toronto. I didn't expect it to look so much like New York! The buildings were so tall and it was extremely busy but I'm a 'city girl'. It's my dream to get out of a small quiet town and into a big city like Toronto. I also noticed a Starbucks on every street. However my favourite part of Toronto was shopping. Prices were so much cheaper than in the UK too. From the top of the CN tower you could see the whole of Toronto. 

The second place was Niagara. I loved the falls as it was so beautiful but the rest of Niagara was very touristy like there was so many strips of things like mini golf and haunted houses which really did spoil it. But when you did get down to the Falls it was something I'd never seen before plus it amazes me how you can see America on the other side. I got to go on the Maid Of The Mist and Journey Behind The Falls. 

I travelled by train from Niagara to Ottawa via train which took ages. It was worth it though as I got to meet and stay with family I hadn't met before in the capital city. We went to a water park, a lake in Quebec, shopping and me and my brother learned how to Canoe which we have never done before. I love how Canadians are so active compared to people here in the UK. Also their are so much wildlife and a squirrel stole my apple.

My last five days were spent in Kingston with other family members. It was so much fun meeting new people and doing new things like going on the back of a speed boat on a inflatable double chair with my cousin. She taught me 'Canadian slang' too which still makes no sense to me but oh well. I miss it so much though and the weather was extremely beautiful. It was lovely to unwind after stressful months of exams too. I hope you all enjoyed your summers too. 

Anna and The French Kiss

Hello Lovelies!

After reading sad stories for a while, I wanted to read something more ‘upbeat’ and ‘romantic’ per say. I’d seen this book on a few other blogs and although I wasn't thrilled at the title, I did like the idea of the book as a whole. It wasn't as clichéd as you’d think either.

The book is about Anna Oliphant from Atlanta, Georgia (whose father is a published author) who gets sent to boarding school for her senior year in Paris where she meets Meredith, Rashmi, Josh and Etienne St Clair. She falls in love with St Clair but he is taken by college girl Ellie and also Meredith and many other girls feel the same way for him. 

When I first heard about the book I thought “oh a couple who fall in love in Paris, how original” but this book was seriously really good and lots of twists too. You think they are going to get together then BAM something happens and their budding romance is put on hold yet again, especially since he still has a girlfriend. Plus Anna still misses her old love interest Toph and her best friend Bridgette. 

What I really liked about the book though was the quote “Home isn't a place, it’s a person.” You could be million miles away from your home, but if you are with that one special person then maybe home isn't a building with all your stuff and rooms and what not but them.

The Fault In Our Stars

Hello Lovelies!

As you may have gathered by now I'm quite the book worm especially over the summer break. I heard so many people rave over this book I thought "Okay lets give it ago". I already read "Looking for Alaska" By John Green and loved it so there was no harm in trying out another one of his books called "The Fault In Our Stars." Loads of people said I would cry and I can tell you now I balled my eyes out!

Who knew one book could make you feel that way? The main character is Hazel Grace Lancaster and the book is wrote in her point of view. She has a tumour affecting her lungs which means she must carry and oxygen tank around with her. Augustus Waters has a different kind of cancer but they meet in a support group with his friend Isaac. 

John Green makes it so easy to fall in love with the quotes and characters he piles into books and you feel so many different emotions because its so brilliant. I thought he did a wonderful job on Looking for Alaska but this is so much better I'd say. And I loved Looking for Alaska so you can see how much this book meant to me. It was hard to read because reading about Cancer is upsetting especially when you know people dying of it but you also can't stop turning over the pages to read more. 

This book is being made into a film just like The Perks Of Being A Wallflower was and I know the film is going to be amazing but just like the others it wont be as good as the book. A book will always be able to capture more than a film can. I try to read the book first before viewing the movie so I will use my own imagination to capture the characters appearances not the actors that play them in the films. However I am excited for the movie and I better get my tissues ready.

Summer Essentials

Hello Lovelies!

I've seen loads of people doing a "summer essential" post and video hauls so I decided to do one. I didn't want to do it early in the summer like July as everyone was doing it then. This time next week I will be on holidays so this is why I've decided to do it now! I will be taking these products away with me. Obviously I will be taking things like shampoo and toothpaste but I didn't want to get into all of that boring stuff.

1) Barry M Nail Paint. I adore Barry M and I don't tend to use other nail paint because this one is so good. However it is a little pricey. These colours are (from Left to right) Peach Melba, Lemon, Greenberry and Pure Turquoise. I probably won't take all these colours away with me but I'm undecided on which one is my favourite. They are so cute and pastel colours, I love these for the spring/ summer seasons and then for autumn and winter I go for a more bold colour.

2) The Righteous Butter. This is my favourite moisturiser ever! Its so nice and makes my skin so soft. I burn so easily in the sun and this acts like an after sun care too. I use this ever night and ever time I come out of the shower and it is honestly the best moisturiser I've come across. However 'Soap & Glory' is not the cheapest brand but well worth its money. 

3) Spray. My all time favourite spray is Hollister Crescent Bay. As you can see I've used about half already. Its got a real sweet smell to it and I think it's got the sweetest smell out of the whole collection of sprays. I do have another which is Seacliff Beach, its a pale green colour, which isn't as sweet but still quite nice too. The other spray I will be taking is a deodorant more than a Body Mist. It is Sure Long Lasting Protection. It smells of Flowers and Apricots and due to the compressed can it fits nicely in my bag for on the go protection.

4) Hair Care. The first is Tresemme Heat Defence with UV filter. It helps protect against damage from dryers and heat styling tools as well as the sun. The last thing anyone wants is split ends and dead hair by the end of summer. This is good to use before using styling tools like straighteners and you can really see a difference. The last product is Schwarzkopf Got2b beach matt salt spray. I use this when I don't want to use heat on my hair and it gives a lot of texture to your hair. 

Looking For Alaska

Hello Lovelies!

I have just finished reading "Looking for Alaska" by John Green. I had never read one of his books before so I didn't know what it would be like but lots of people on Tumblr said how amazing it was so why not read it? I assure you it is a brilliant book full of twists and I just wanted to know more and more each chapter. 

The book is set in a boarding school in Alabama called Culver Creek. Miles Halter also knows as "Pudge" is the main character with his new friends Chip "The Colonel" Martin, Takumi, Lara and of course Alaska Young. One of my favourite quotes from the book is "So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that if people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane."   

Pudge like the other characters comes across as smart and motivated and he memorises the last words of great people like John F. Kennedy and Thomas Edison. I don't want to give anything away because this book is definitely worth reading and I will read it again in the future. I have officially added it to my list of favourite books including 'The Perks Of Being A Wallflower' and 'The Hunger Games' Trilogy.  

The book is set into two sections "before" and "after." At first I was totally confused to what this meant but it was a huge plot twist which I most certainly didn't see coming and I had to read more and more from then on for more twists and I was not disappointed one bit. You can buy this book here if you are interested in giving it a read yourself. 

Top Summer Tracks

Hello Lovelies!

I've decided to write down and share to all you beautiful people what songs I think are great to listen to when you are lounging around in the heat which is very rare in Britain. If you know of any other good songs please do comment below so I can check them out. Music is one of my main loves in life!

1. One Direction- Best Song Ever.

2. Arctic Monkeys- Do I Wanna Know?

3. Disclosure- F For You.

4. Eliza Doolittle- Big When I Was Little.

5. Avicii- Wake Me Up.

Shoplog

Hello lovelies!

 

Today my mother and I went on a big shopping trip for summer clothes ready for our holidays. I went to such shops as New Look, Superdrug, Primark, H&M, Dorothy Perkins, Internacionale and others.

 

From Internacionale, I got a cream and gold studded purse for £9.99 and a flower headband for £3.99. I adore these two especially as they are quite simple but really cute at the same time.

 

In Dorothy Perkins I got these creamy high sandals on offer for £20 and some earring for prom which cost £5. I'm not one for big jewellery and I can wear these earring for other occasions not just prom.

 

I can't remember the price of the phone cover but it was something under £5 from a random stall in the city.

 

These are three basic tops from H&M for £3.99. I plan on wearing them under a patterned waistcoat or something like that so they don't clash too much.

 

In Primark I bought some cute underwear for £3/£4. The blue bikini cost £10 all together and I also got a white cover up for when I'm hanging around the pool for £8.

 

As you can see, New Look is my all time favourite shop! Its not really noticeable in the photo but I got a sort of denim skirt for £14.99 which will go with a lot! The floral print skirt at the front cost £16.99. The white vest behind it also cost £16.99. Also not very clear in the photo is a pair of jeans for £12.99. The other white vest with the sparkle necklace attached cost me £19.99 and the waist coat was £14.99. The last thing in this photo is the blue denim looking dress for £22.99.

 

Last but not least is my Barry M peach and mint nail paint and peach Bourjois lipstick. I don't wear make up much but I do paint my nails ALL the time. I don't know the individual prices of these as they were on a 3 for 2 offer but I think the nail paint is £3.99.

 

 

 



The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

Hello Lovelies!

The perks of being a wallflower is not only a film but a a fantastic book also. The books genre is 'coming of age' and the recommended age is 14. The main character is Charlie. He is starting high school and his best friend from middle school was having trouble at home so killed himself. The book itself is set up as a letter where Charlie is writing to "friend".

Charlie himself has mental problems and gets angry. He sees things and thinks things we wouldn't usually. Like about other peoples lives and if they are happy and if not, why. He thinks a lot and keeps quiet about his thoughts. He meets Sam and Patrick who introduce them to their other friends like Mary Elizabeth and Alice. 

I don't really want to spoil the story for you, because if you haven't read it then I really recommend it. I read the whole book within two days and it usually takes me longer due to studying and other stuff. The book is really inspiring and eye opening and at times sad. None the less, it is a brilliant!

The Script Tour♥

Hello Lovelies!

If you don't already know, The Script are an Irish band that consists of three members; Danny O'Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power. In 2011 I was fortunate to see them live with my mother and they were one of the best live acts i'd seen. So when I heard they were touring again this year, I knew I had to get tickets. I managed to get some for me and my best friend. However it was a standing tour which I wasn't looking forward to as I’m quite short. 

The support act was another band. I can’t remember the name of the band. I wasn't that interested in them if I’m honest. Their music was too loud to understand what they were singing about and isn't that the whole point of a song? To listen and understand the meaning behind it? So we decided to get a drink and sit down by the side. A boy around 19 came up to us and he was clearly drunk. He had lost his friends and handed me his phone to contact them because he was too drunk to do so himself. I'm not sure if he ever did find them in the end. He started dancing with me randomly and it was really funny in a way as I was completely sober.

When they finally came on, everyone screamed. They started with the first song from their album #3 which is ‘Good Ol’ Days’. We pushed our way into the crowd and found a space. Unfortunately it was next to a bunch of middle aged drunks who danced crazy and split beer over everyone and it went all over my legs. I wasn't impressed. They were funny to watch though. Especially when they started singing ‘Nothing’ and they all broke down crying in the pool of beer they had made on the floor. 

They even rang a girls ex boyfriend on stage which was awesome and told him what he was missing. All in all it was a great night and I would definitely see them again if I had the opportunity too.

One Direction Tour♥

Hello Lovelies!

I, along with many other teenage girls around the world, love One Direction with all my heart. I think they are funny, talented and hot! My favourite is Harry and Niall. I'm very lucky to have been to the x factor tour they were on, the Up All Night tour and now the Take Me Home Tour. At first I wasn't exactly thrilled about where we were sitting as it was so far back but luckily they had two stages and we were super close to the second one.

The support act was an Australian band called 5 Seconds to Summer. The band consists of four members; Luke Hemmings (Vocals, guitar), Michael Clifford (guitar, vocals), Calum Hood (Bass guitar, vocals) and Ashton Irwin (Drums, vocals). The other support act was some 13 year old girl named Camryn, but she wasn't exactly brilliant compared to 5SOS. 

Even though ive seen them before, when One Direction came on i could have died. They are so perfect in my eyes. From our seats we could see them clearly but the zoom on my camera stopped working-.- They did some songs from Up All Night and also Take Me Home but they covered Teenage Dirtbag and their Comic Relief single One way or another (Teenage Kicks). 

Germany Flashback

Hello Lovelies!

Last Summer, my family and I went over to Germany for a week. I didn't really know what to expect when I was told we were going but it was defiantly a place i'd never forget. It was so beautiful there and really warm! 

We stayed in an apartment so I didn't have to share a room with the boys. The view from my window was beautiful as it over looked a small square of all the apartments. There were a few benches and trees and it all looked so peaceful. There was little red vespa that was parked outside too and I really wanted to have a go but unfortunately I couldn't. 

One day we were walking over the bridge to get back to the apartment when we saw about a thousand locks upon the sides, maybe even more. Written on all of them we're two names written on each of them with a date. I looked into this and I found out they were love locks. Where couples write the date where they get married or meet and lock it to the gate and throw the key away in the river so its a symbol of ever lasting love. 

The shopping in Germany was amazing although I wasn't good working out the euros.  There was a huge zoo there too so we thought we'd check it out. However to get there we had to travel via cable car. Its fair to say I felt like I was about to die. My family were rocking the car to make me even more nervous than I already was. As we were going over the city, we saw a spa. But everyone laying outside was naked. It was so weird! 

The sights were mind blowing out there! Id kill to wake up to them every morning. I took a walk one afternoon alone to take a few photos and look around. There was a group of teenagers my age skating by the river. Their tricks were sick and they even taught me some.