My Guilty Pleasure Reads
3 February 2015
Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
There are very few books I will read over and over. They have to have specific sections that really grab my attention or that I can easily relate to for them to remain in my memory. There are also books that I just can't help but adore due to the memory attached to reading them or the characters I just fell in love with. These three books are some that I re-read over the winter and became obsessed with.
★★★★★
★★★★
This is a piece of young adult literature this will always stick in my brain. The great thing that draws you in is the relatable protagonist and storyline. It's a book I wish I would have read when going through the younger years of secondary school. Even though school wasn't that long ago for me, this book had me feeling nostalgic for my education days. The gripping thing is the realistic and relevant narrative and characters that are introduced throughout. It highlights some of the pressures and struggles that most people go through when in school and makes me very grateful that it's all over. This story helps you to realise happiness is much more important than reputation.
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
★★★
I have been obsessed with Lauren Conrad since The Hills so it was only natural to buy her book a few years ago. The first thing I loved is that the chapter titles are sentences or phrases taken from the chapter. The storyline does have a autobiographical feel which develops the characters well, especially if you know Lauren Conrad. The plot isn't too deep or intense which makes this book the perfect light or beach read. It's an easy way to get distracted from reality without diving in too deep. When reading, you almost get sucked into a reality show, which is very addicting. This book is definitely a teen novel, which is how it managed to make it onto my guilty pleasures list.
Better Than Lipstick
2 February 2015
Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
I don't like wearing lipstick as a lot of the brands I have tried out tend to have sticks that fade after time. There are high quality lipsticks but they're too expensive for their size and use. After recently shopping at Marks and Spencer for their bronzer which I can use as power. They have a line there under the name of Lola, (official website) which I'm always open to trying. The "Makeup by Perse" line has just about everything I need for everyday make-up; however every so often, I like to add colour to my lips as a twist. Red is usually my go-to colour as I shy away from pinks and oranges.
Their lip gloss which is available for £10 at M&S was the first thing I was drawn to due to the bright colour and simple packaging. The colour I chose is "006 Red" and I immediately loved the non-sticky texture which is common among most lip glosses. The trouble I have with lipsticks that don't cost over £20 is that they often dry out and dry out my lips in the process. The colour in this lip gloss is not too strong and over-bearing, but it also hydrates my lips without fading after a few hours. This gloss has genuinely become one of my favourites to keep this season.
Why I Hate Summer
31 January 2015
Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
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In general, I prefer winter because I like feeling cosy and warm rather than sweaty and ready to self-combust. I like blankets, white landscapes, layers of clothing, not shaving my legs, fires and hot chocolate. Summer is an out-going season, it's for those who love festivals, sandals and barely-there clothing. Laying in the sun for hours isn't beneficial for me anyway, I just get darker and warm. Hayfever ruins my summers most years, mainly because it's linked to asthma which is possibly the most frustrating condition on the planet. I associate summer in the UK with stickiness, unnecessary shirtless humans and awkward park picnics. For some absurd reason, many people feel the need to bathe in public fountains or water features which isn't a sight I'm desperate to see in July.
For me, summer is a month-long battle to keep cool, as I constantly complain I'm way too warm. The non-stop festivals are great for socialites but I like cosy nights in and non-stop Netflix which helped me fall in love with the winter season. There's more opportunity to experience with your style in winter, layering and different coats or jackets are a great way to accentuate any wardrobe. I adore the sunshine, especially when I'm in another country; but over here, summer thankfully only lasts a few weeks.
Not That Social
29 January 2015
Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
I have always been surrounded by social butterflies.When living in a large family, attending a large school and working in an enormous city, it's very season to sink or slip into the back of the crowd without anyone noticing. During secondary school, it was difficult to be shy due to the constant association with friends which did wonders for my confidence. On the other hand, in my mind I have always been the quiet one, despite what others may have gathered. Socialising and meeting new people is fun and a vital experience in life but I have come to terms with the fact that I'm just not that social. Saturday night house parties are great, I enjoy all the fraternising that goes with it. But sometimes I would rather enjoy my own company and spend a few hours reading or on Tumblr/Pinterest.
The comfort with being alone comes from being so very shy. When I was a lot younger, I used to feel to nervous and uncomfortable to say hello to my own extended family members, it was just too daunting. Answering up in class and evening speaking up in general was always a challenge unless I felt like I was surrounded by close friends. Then social media came alone, which I have a love-hate relationship with. It all began with Bebo, choosing from thousands of skins and sending hearts to best friends. Not being included in a best friend's description box was devastating. Then Facebook came along, a website I haven't really used since 2010. This is probably down to the realisation that half of the 1,000 plus friends I had on there probably can't even pronounce my name.
As I have grown up, I occasionally revert back to my timid shell, but I actually like it. Every person has one comfort food, object or place. After visiting the library in the city centre almost every lunch break, I have realised that I feel at ease and most comfortable when surrounded by book, it gives my mind something to do. I can spend hours in Waterstones just reading blurbs and searching for my next read. I'm not forced into a social situation and conversations that do establish are natural and enjoyable. Maybe the social butterfly stage is yet to come.
Whatever Size Will Do
28 January 2015
Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Learning to shop my size used to be incredibly difficult. It doesn't really matter what size you are, some people just aren't comfortable with a busy store and people looking over your shoulder. I have always been too tall for my age, which meant I had to buy clothes that were bigger for length, but I was never the slim type either. Confidence plays a huge factor in being able to choose up your own clothes size, and it comes down to simply not caring about the opinion of others, because they're probably not even looking.
In my mind, whenever I was shopping, I used to almost feel ashamed to pick up my size and was convinced other people were watching or judging me. But after a long period of reading "clothes numbers don't define us" posts and continually doing everything in my power to boost my confidence, I started to embrace my shape and actually open my eyes to realise the world doesn't revolve around me. People tend to mind their own business and it's down to you to realise not many people care whether you're picking up a size 6 or a size 16.
My style has evolved a lot from being younger. I no longer shop at Jane Norman just for the snazzy carrier bags and I have no issue looking around F&F at Tesco for the occasional staple piece. When it comes down to how I like clothes to fit, I like a really loose fit and comfortable fabrics. I know textiles well, so I have learnt what fabrics will change or alter when washed or expand after use. Today, I have absolutely no problem picking up a size 18 in Topshop despite that being bigger than my real dress size.
I tend to ignore the numbers on hangers and shop for the fit rather than the size; which is exactly why TK Maxx is one of my favourite stores. In-store shopping can be a challenge and takes real determination to dig through the hundred of clothing rails, but two jumpers could be marked medium and yet completely different sizes. Primark is my go-to store for affordable casual t-shirts. Although the quality isn't always phenomenal, there are plenty of different styles to go with. Shopping nowadays is plenty of fun rather than an anxiety-filled nightmare. Realising there are many more people sat in this boat makes every trip a lot more enjoyable.
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