Monday, 24 February 2014

Motivational Monday

Evening folks, congratulations on surviving Monday, as it was my first day back after midterm it was a little painful but all in all, there will be worse days. This weeks MM quote comes from Albert Einstein, and is kind of inspired by my recent inability to do anything right. From the dozens of failed cappuccino's I've attempted to make at work to my complete lack of mathematical skill (perhaps another reason I feel a certain affinity to Einstein) I have been lacking in success this week. 



So this coming week, I'm not trying to be successful, I am simply trying to be useful and help as many people as I can, whether that's a compliment, or holding the door for someone, or smiling at a stranger who catches my eye- I plan to do my best. 

And that's all you can do really, isn't it? 


Sunday, 23 February 2014

Updated: To Read 2014

Morning guys, I hope you've had a great week and are enjoying a suitably lazy Sunday, I certainly am. I've spent the morning attempting to collate a list of the books that I want to read this year. I've found that as I've got older I have less and less time to read the books I want to, especially this year as I have serious exams to focus on (eeeeek.) Regardless, there will come a time when I am able to read as many books as I want, and here are a few that I can see myself reading in the near future. 

How to Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran 


Goodreads blurb: "Though they have the vote and the Pill and haven't been burned as witches since 1727, life isn't exactly a stroll down the catwalk for modern women. They are beset by uncertainties and questions: Why are they supposed to get Brazilians? Why do bras hurt? Why the incessant talk about babies? And do men secretly hate them? Caitlin Moran interweaves provocative observations on women's lives with laugh-out-loud funny scenes from her own, from the riot of adolescence to her development as a writer, wife, and mother. With rapier wit, Moran slices right to the truth—whether it's about the workplace, strip clubs, love, fat, abortion, popular entertainment, or children—to jump-start a new conversation about feminism. With humor, insight, and verve, How To Be a Woman lays bare the reasons female rights and empowerment are essential issues not only for women today but also for society itself."

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell 


Goodreads Blurb: "Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under."

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare


Goodreads blurb: "The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them."

Paper Towns by John Green


Goodreads blurb: "Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they’re for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew."

The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer


Goodreads blurb: "‘I’ll tell you what happened because it will be a good way to introduce my brother. His name’s Simon. I think you’re going to like him. I really do. But in a couple of pages he’ll be dead. And he was never the same after that.’ There are books you can’t stop reading, which keep you up all night. There are books which let us into the hidden parts of life and make them vividly real. There are books which, because of the sheer skill with which every word is chosen, linger in your mind for days. The Shock of the Fall is all of these books. The Shock of the Fall is an extraordinary portrait of one man’s descent into mental illness. It is a brave and groundbreaking novel from one of the most exciting new voices in fiction."

Have any of you read these books, are there any others you'd recommend? Either way, feel free to leave a comment below telling me about your 'must reads' for this year. There will be a MM post tomorrow (fingers crossed) so until then, enjoy what's left of your weekend! 



Monday, 17 February 2014

Motivational Monday

Evening folks, this is a new feature I'm starting (well, I say starting- I mean 'blatantly plagiarising from SprinkleOfGlitter) every Monday. I've always been a fan of quotes and other lovely wee sayings that help cheer people up so who knows. Anyway, here is this weeks-


You're all going to have to get used to my handwriting but yeah, I've been finding it hard lately to get started with a lot of stuff that really desperately needs done. So this little bitty has helped, and every huge task can be broken down into small manageable pieces. I will always remember the scene from Friends where Chandler freaks out before his wedding and in order to get him down the isle, Ross breaks it down into small things like 'take a shower.' And we all know that Monica and Chandler do indeed end up living happily ever after. 

So I guess my message for today is, that huge task you've been putting off f o r e v e r? Make a start. 

You won't regret it. 



Tuesday, 11 February 2014

TOP TEN TUESDAY: SPRING/SUMMER WISH LIST

Morning folks! I hope you've all had a wonderful week so far, and if not then just remember it's only a few days until the weekend? This week I've realised that there are an awful lot of things that I want or have been wishing for. Now some of these items are extremely realistic, and I will most likely treat myself to them as I am a terrible saver, but there are several 'high end' items, including a car, that I suspect are perhaps a little too extravagant to realistically want.. or maybe a lot too extravagant. This was originally going to be a TTT post but I just seem to want far too much stuff.. Woops? I've linked everything I can!
 

How damn cute are these? A girl can never have too many jammies, so these could well be finding their way into my closet before the end of the month!
2. Vampire Academy Movie

I've spoken about this movie so many times, and both it and the Divergent film are discussed in a post that I'll link here.  Basically I cannot wait to see this and I'm gutted about how much later the UK release date is!



I'm in desperate need of a new pair of jeans before the spring truly starts and these could well be the perfect pair!


If I do end up buying myself this bag it will be extremely unneccesary but I do think this bag is really pretty. Maybe next years school bag.. or a weekend bag.. or maybe I need to stop spending?

5. City Of Heavenly Fire

Anybody who has perused across this blog for a while will be extremely aware of my love for the Mortal Instrument books, so I wait with baited breathe to see how Cassandra Clare ends this wonderful series.

6. Divergent Movies

The post discussing this has already been linked above so I'm going to use this opportunity to discuss how beautiful Theo James is.. ladies? you with me?


Saw this dress on one of my regular browses online and really want it for summer, it's only £13 too!

8. Ed Sheeran's new album

I was lucky enough to see Ed Sheeran live in 2012 and I'm going again in October so I cannot wait for his new album, but I am absolutely certain that he won't disappoint! 


I've been wanting one of these since I saw Marnie wear one in 'Girls' but I don't think this beauty will be my choice as the last time I checked, I do not have £80 to spend on a hair accessory. 


I absolutely adore this brand and own one of their rings but so much of there new collection, especially this necklace, appeals to me. Honestly, everybody should check them out!!

11. McLaren P1

If anybody saw Top Gear on Monday they would have seen this car test driven and honestly.. I think I'm in love? A combination of pioneering technology and some eco-friendly features mean this car is basically being marketed as the start of a new generation of cars. I'm definitely in love.


I am well aware that this is not a new perfume, but I really love how this smells and the bottle is so, so pretty. It's only £19 in boots just now too! Tempting..


A lot time lust, it's just. so. damn. pretty. 


Revlon's newest release, I'm a lover of lip products and I'm kind of surprised I haven't picked a couple of these up yet, will definitely do so before the month is out.

15. Paolo Nutini's new album

I've adored this man since I was 9. Yes, NINE. His first album was purchased on a whim pre-order by my father and it's literally still firmly placed on my phone, in fact- I was listening today. I was beginning to worry that we would never get any more music, but Paolo has announced a new album for the Spring called 'Caustic Love.' There will definitely be an album review up for that in the coming months. Also; LOOK how pretty he is?
Phew. I want a lot of stuff. Of course I won't treat myself to more than a couple of these but it's certainly nice to have things to look forward to. I hope I've inspired a few S/S lusts but please do tell me about things you want/are looking forward to in the comments below. Until next time, adios!


Wednesday, 5 February 2014

January Music Favourites!

Hey guys! Exam season is over and the countdown to my final exams has well and truly begun- sadly! To get me through this month's revision I have listened to a lot of music so I'm actually quite pleased with this months favourites. In addition, my long time favourite (I mean 5 years) band You Me At Six released their long awaited fourth album last month 'Cavalier Youth.' I have stopped myself from adding more than one track to this post, so only my favourite has made the cut, but I think I'll do an album focus on it next week. 


As usual there are a few old classics thrown in there but overall I'm pretty happy this month, George Ezra is a brilliant new artist and once you start listening to 'Budapest' I guarantee you it will be on repeat for a long time! Until next time, have a wonderful week!


 
Images by Freepik