Pretty and Pink

10 February 2015

Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
There aren't many nail polishes that I would recommend because there are very few that I think are good value for the money. I used to always stick to darker nail colours but there's something about this glittery shade that I just can't resist. The Best Seller shade by Leighton Denny has become my go-to varnish. I was immediately drawn to the shimmer that's included in the dark red/pink colour. In different lighting, the colour looks different which I think makes it unique and the best seller. The red base is almost jelly-like and the texture is thick and luxurious. As it's a shimmer polish it's very easy to apply in contrast to glitter polish. However, as the shimmer is so extreme it does need a strong remover to remove it effectively and tidily. Some may think this shade is Christmassy, I think it's a great summer colour too, but I can't help but wear it as much as possible. The varnish is very thick which means one layer is enough, although, two will help it last much longer. I can wear this colour for at least two weeks without any chips and messes. One of the greatest qualities in Best Seller is that it dries incredibly quickly. I could wear this at any time of the year, it's a beautiful nail polish!

Winter Wonderland Walking

6 February 2015

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Winter is by far my favourite time of the year. When wrapping up warm, there's nothing to hate about this season. Nothing is more exciting than watching the snow fall, and as I live quite far away from any city centres, just about everything is blanketed by the snow. At the smallest sight of snowfall, the first thing I did was head outside with my camera to take a few shots. Despite the depth not being too bad, I still love the bright white sky and bare trees. My winter style, especially for chilly walks is very basic; all I need are a few layers, my waterproof coat, a pair of thermal leggings, climbing boots and a beanie. In the wintertime, I just seem to turn into a little child at Christmas taking in every aspect of the season even if it's not in full effect. I may be partial to this time of year because it means I can walk through the woodland areas without running and screaming from every form of flying insect I sense. There is a calming sense about snow and the winter which I have just taken a liking to.

Timid Tales #1

4 February 2015

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
After writing a post on being shy and getting a good response, I have decided to create a series on my blog names "Timid Tales", which will be full of stories and anecdotes featuring my bashful behaviour. One of my very first memories of being shy is from being around four years old. My dad worked late at the Royal Mail headquarters so my mum would pick him up from work so he didn't drive home tired. As the only child at that point, I had to go with her as there wasn't anyone else at home. I have a strong memory of feeling so shy when picking my dad up, I would be close to terrified when he got into the car and I knew I had to say hello because it's polite.

To this day, I have absolutely no idea why I was so apprehensive at that age as there's no logic behind it. I had a very close relationship with my dad when I was younger but there was something about the Royal Mail and night time that I just didn't like. When my dad jumped into the car and turned to say hello, I would release this tiny little squeak of a "hi" that could only be heard by bats and mice, while wrapped in a Barbie blanket and looking away. From a very early age, being shy has always really frustrated me. It was never anxiety, as I could happily have a conversation with someone and respond if they asked me a question; on the other hand, starting conversations or being in the spotlight was my worst nightmare. Now I'm a lot different, and could probably walk down a high-fashion catwalk if I really wanted to. Thank goodness I left those wary moments in the past!

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.

I'll Take New York by  Miranda Dickinson.

There is definitely a Christmassy feel to this book which made it one of my favourite winter reads. Out of the three, this book is my favourite as it's a classical romance story that's based in one of my favourite cities. The descriptive language in each chapter made the storyline seem all the more real and the book touches on romance as well as never losing hope and taking chances. Although the storyline is predictable, the romance is never forced and the characters are well developed before even meeting. It's obvious the author has a real love for New York City and that's evident in the narrative. The book is more of a 'chic lit' love story, it leaves you feeling inspired. I found it incredibly difficult to put this book down, saying "awwwwh" throughout and being desperate to read just one more chapter. 


The Manifesto on How to be Interesting by Holly Bourne

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.
Copyright © Anika May | UK Life and Style Blog.
Design by Fearne