Favourites: August

Favourites: August

Sunday 30 August 2015

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This months monthly favourites are pretty boring, but I’ve had a pretty dull month of moving house, sorting out the new house and getting stuff ready for my 4th and (potentially) final year of university. 

I was VERY late on the Game of Thrones bandwagon and I’ve just this last week finished watching season 3. I took about a year and a half just to get to this point as I have a ridiculously bad attention span. BUT I have persevered and now I’m seriously addicted. I have been spoiled quite a bit for the next two seasons but not enough to stop me from enjoying it (and filling the PLL shaped hole in my heart.) 

I don’t really post about music very frequently, but I am an enormous fan of a beautiful artist called Sleeping at Last. They’re becoming more and more renowned in the UK, especially after the use of their song on the Nationwide advert, and their new Collection “Atlas: Life” is out of this world. I subscribed to it a few months back which means I will receive the entire 24 song collection (and we were also treated to another film score last month) and it only cost me $10! Bargain!! I definitely recommend giving them a listen if you have a spare few minutes. 

I had my weekly date day on thursday and amongst doing a few other things like a drive along the seafront and drinks overlooking the Mersey, me and the boy went to get dinner at this lovely little place in Wavertree called TriBeCa. I wasn’t told we were going out for dinner until 5 minutes before we set off- I’d had a very late lunch and had leftover paella waiting for me at home, so we shared at a pizza and some tapas and it was delicious. I had a glass of the old vino to brighten my day up that little bit more and it was a lovely little date. TriBeCa is one of my favourite places to eat so to go there spontaneously was a real treat. 

Liverpool as a whole is one of my favourite places in the world. I absolutely love living in the city and being back here after a year in France is really fabulous for me. There’s so much to do and so many places to see which no doubt I’ll treat you all to in the next few weeks. Liverpool definitely deserves a place on my August favourites! 

I’ve been using the same blusher everyday for the last year and a half, and I haven’t once raved about how amazing it is. I use MAC cosmetics pressed blusher in Springsheen and it is absolutely perfect. It flatters my skin tone in every way and isn’t too overbearing, which is a plus for someone who likes natural looking makeup like myself. It’s sheertone and shimmery and is just a beautiful colour, a kind of pinky coral, and it especially suits warmer toned girls. I have quite olive-y coloured skin and it’s absolutely perfect for me. 

What have you been loving in August? Let me know in the comments below! 

Liverpool: A Day in the City

Liverpool: A Day in the City

Saturday 29 August 2015

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I had a little wander down to Albert Docks in Liverpool yesterday to get some fresh air and take some photographs. Liverpool is without a doubt my favourite city in the world and I think these photos really reflect the city's beauty, I absolutely love living here and there's nowhere in the world that I'd rather be.

Have you ever visited the city? Let me know! 

10 Things I Never Get Bored Of: Songs

10 Things I Never Get Bored Of: Songs

Thursday 27 August 2015

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Sit Down - James

James are an amazing festival band and I saw them a few years ago after being introduced to them at a young age by my dad. We’re going to see them again in a fortnight and I’m really hoping they play this live, having never heard it live before! 

Sugar - Maroon 5 

So. Catchy. Must refrain from playing on repeat. 

Back 2 Good - Matchbox Twenty

My favourite song by my favourite band. This song means so much to me for so many different reasons and I honestly could just listen to this song alone for the rest of my life.

Don’t Dream It’s Over - Crowded House

Another band that I’ve been brought up listening to, this song reminds me of so many things and memories that I just can’t help but listen to it on repeat. 

Follow You Home - Embrace 

Another band that I’ll have the pleasure of seeing in a few weeks, this song is catchy and energetic and puts me in a fantastic mood.

I’m Easy - Faith No More

I’m not quite sure what it is about this song, but it really just makes me incredibly happy. It’s very different from the style that Faith No More usually performs but I would say that that’s what makes it all the more beautiful. 

Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen

Because no music list of mine is complete without the Boss getting a mention! 

Fools - Lauren Aquilina

I first heard this song 2 or 3 years ago and I’ve been addicted to Lauren Aquilina’s voice ever since. Melodic and beautiful. 

Glitter in the Air - P!nk

P!nk is a woman who I really admire and this song a beautiful track with the most beautiful of lyrics.

Turning Page - Sleeping At Last 

I rave on and on about this artist but he honestly is so talented and incredible. This song was featured on the Breaking Dawn soundtrack so a few people have heard of it, but if you haven’t: please, for the love of all things good, give it a listen as soon as possible! 

What are some songs that you never get bored of? Let me know in the comments below! 

Book Review: The Lie - C.L. Taylor

Book Review: The Lie - C.L. Taylor

Wednesday 26 August 2015

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Recently I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about THE LIE by C.L. Taylor on the book blogosphere so I thought I’d do the done thing and get myself a copy of it. I did so on amazon kindle and paid a ridiculously cheap 99p for it and it’s honestly one of the best 99p’s I’ve spent in a long time. I’ve never read anything by the author before so was quite eager to get stuck into it! 

The story focuses on a group of 4 girls. Friends since university, Emma, Daisy, Al, and Leanne decide to go on a girls retreat to a camp in Nepal. The story follows their journey there and the events that have passed since, 5 years later. It focuses on the portrayal of friendship and just how far you would go to protect someone you love. We learn that Emma has changed her name and relocated to escape the aftermath of an accident that happened while they were in Nepal, and we also learn that the surviving girls are no longer in contact with one another. We learn that the characters are flawed and broken and that each of the four girls has demons which have affected them their entire lives- all of this is explored whilst they are in Nepal and contributes beautifully to the plot. I particularly enjoyed the flashback scenes and was very keen to keep reading once I’d gotten started, eager to find out what was going to happen next.

The novel is quite fast paced but at the same time, it is very easy to keep up with. The descriptions are fantastic, as are the character developments and I really found myself both liking and disliking certain characters. I really enjoyed the storyline right up to the last few pages, and while the ending was fair and made sense once I’d read it, I felt that the book was heading in a completely different direction to the one it did. 

The switches between time periods was done consistently and equal focus was placed on the present day and the events happening 5 years previously. Certain aspects of the novel were incredibly tense and I found myself shocked by particular happenings. I’ll definitely be picking up “The Accident” by C.L. Taylor at some point in the next few weeks and I’m very excited to see what she has to offer in the future. 

4/5

Book Review: My Sister's Secret - Tracy Buchanan*

Book Review: My Sister's Secret - Tracy Buchanan*

Saturday 22 August 2015

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I received this ARC from Harper Collins AVON in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much to them for this! 

I’ve never read anything by Tracy Buchanan before but I will definitely be checking out more by her in the future. The premise of the story is  very interesting- we are introduced to three very different sisters, Faith, Hope and Charity, and we learn of their dreams. Faith, the eldest sister, wants to find and dive to all of the submerged forests of the world and it isn’t long before this dream becomes a shared one. We learn of a tragic accident before we’re fast-forwarded to the present day and introduced to Willow, who we quickly learn is Charity’s daughter. We then go on to discover that Willow lost both of her parents when she was a young girl and we follow her as she tries to discover the secrets that her Aunt Hope has been so keen on keeping from her her entire life. 

I found it quite difficult to describe this book in a few words, mostly because there are so many twists and turns, so many secrets and lies, that it really was very hard to speak freely without spoiling the story. I loved the characters very much and connected well with all of them, but I felt particularly sympathetic towards Hope. I also found myself admiring her strong will. 

I also loved the switch between years and didn’t find it too complicated to keep up with. The twists and turns along the way were excellent, and while I guessed one of them, the main twist was completely unexpected. This definitely made it all the more interesting for me, as I love guessing and speculating so when I don’t guess the twist I find it all the more impressive. I found myself questioning every character and doubting each and every one of their integrity. I enjoyed both of the time-frames equally, which for me is quite a big thing because I normally find myself more absorbed in one than the other (and ultimately skim through the one I find less interesting) but this definitely wasn’t the case here. I found myself completely and utterly absorbed and couldn’t put the book down once I’d really gotten into it. I loved the language and the beautiful descriptions of all the places visited and the whole concept almost made me want to take up diving and visit some submerged forests myself. 

Beautiful, poignant and captivating. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good summer read. At the time of writing, this book is on offer on Amazon Kindle for 99p so if you love a good bargain as well as a good book, buy it now! 

4/5. 

Book Review: The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair - Joël Dicker

Book Review: The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair - Joël Dicker

Tuesday 18 August 2015

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As I posted last week, I went on my little getaway to sunny Wales and obviously, as a keen bookworm, that called for picking up a new one at the train station bookstore. I had a quick look around and nothing really jumped out at me until I came across this book by Joël Dicker, “The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair”, which had actually been on my French reading list for quite a while. I wasn’t really aware of the size of the book until I picked it up in store so I’m kind of glad now I got it in English instead of French as it’s 600 pages long and that amount of French isn’t good for anyone’s health, let me tell you that for free. 

The novel follows two authors, the title character Harry Quebert and his protégé Marcus Goldman. When Quebert is arrested for a murder that has been committed 33 years previously, Goldman uses his investigative skills and the power of words to try and prove his teacher’s innocence, but what he uncovers is beyond even what he imagined.

I’ve gotten into quite a habit of picking up excellent books recently and this is definitely another one. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and it kept me hooked all the way to the end. I managed to use my own investigative skills and figured out what was going on a couple of hundred pages from the end of the book, but Dicker kept me guessing and doubting myself right until the last chapter. I’m incredibly tempted to give it a go in French as well, as I really did enjoy it and I can only imagine that it’s even more beautiful in the original language. If you’re into mysteries, crime and thrillers, then this is definitely the novel for you. I loved all of the characters, even the ones I wasn’t really supposed to like and I definitely connected with Harry Quebert himself. His anguish and suffering is presented in the most beautiful and fulfilling of ways and I honestly can’t think of a bad word to say about this book. The protagonist Marcus Goldman is likeable (in spite of his multiple flaws) and funny while Nola Kellergan brings both suspense and excitement. An absolute must-read. 

5/5. 

Review: Urban Decay Ink for Eyes

Review: Urban Decay Ink for Eyes

Saturday 15 August 2015

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If you follow me on twitter, you’ll probably have seen my little moans about not being able to do my own eyeliner. I’m not sure what it is about eyeliner, because I’m pretty good everywhere else as far as make up is concerned, but whatever it is, it’s a simple fact: I can’t blooming do it. 

I’ve been practicing a lot recently and I asked my cousin’s ex girlfriend (who’s majorly into eye makeup and has serious eyeliner goals) which eyeliner she used. She recommended the Urban Decay Ink for Eyes and so I headed to Sephora to pick one up. They cost £15.50 here in the UK so aren’t cheap for an eyeliner pen but the consistency of the formula is amazing. I sampled the pen on my hand before I bought it and there were still remainders of the line I drew after I’d scrubbed myself in the shower that evening. 

It’s pretty easy to apply, even for an eyeliner amateur like me and I’ve perfected the art of applying it to my right eye. I need a bit of help with my left because I’m slightly blind in my right eye so closing the left to apply eyeliner leaves me completely void of sight, but that’s fine by me! I love the thickness of the pen’s nib and the lines look smooth and bold. The colour is very dark and it doesn’t feel heavy on my lids in any way. I also love the packaging and think it looks really sophisticated. 

I would definitely recommend this product! 

Which eyeliner is your go to product? Are there other Urban Decay products that you rave about?

Life: A Trip to North Wales

Life: A Trip to North Wales

Friday 7 August 2015

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I spent a few days in North Wales this week with one of my best friends. Had an amazing few days of sunshine, horses, hiking and amazing food so I thought I’d share a few pictures of my trip. I managed to somehow burn my chest (a year in France, 4 months in Italy and 14 years in Malta and I burn in Wales!!!) but other than that had an amazing time there!  

Have you been anywhere nice lately? Let me know in the comments!