Book Inspiration | The 2018 Reading List
Once again as we head towards the Summer months i'm getting into reading again. 3 years ago I wrote about rediscovering a love with reading and vouched to get my head stuck in a good book much more regularly again. Guess what? I read 2/3 books in the couple of months after that post and then didn't properly pick up another one til this year- dammit! My want to read again has come after realising I spend far too much time on the internet and on my laptop, I need a break from it all. And therefore instead of putting on a YouTube video to help me fall asleep i'm going to close my laptop, move my phone *not too* far away and read a book instead. Here are a new stack of books that i've either read or i'm excited to read and maybe it'll give you the inspiration to close YouTube or Netflix once in a while- I know, shocking!
The Company of Shadows- If you want a book that'll ignite your passion for reading again, this is the one. I barely put it down, I was taking it everywhere with me. It has so many twists and turns you'll just not know how to stop reading. The synopsis? A woman spots her dead husband in the background of a recent photograph and goes on a trail from Miami to Sicily to track down the man.
We Were Liars- I think this could be the marmite version of a book. Some people seem to love it, some people seem to hate it. I liked it. It's just over 200 pages long, so not a daunting prospect if you haven't read a book in ages. Still, I barely put it down and read it in not much more than a day- always a good sign! Towards the end I began expecting what was happening next, feeling a bit smug but then bam! The plot twist at the end totally caught me out. I was left reading extracts again trying to find clues of how I missed this.
Say Goodbye- I'm only part way through this book but i'm enjoying it. It's starting to pick up, get more intense and gripping, and i'm starting to not want to put it down. If you like thrillers this may be the one for you- the story delves you deep into the mind of a serial killer. It apparently gets more chilling, intense and even a little disturbing, and i'm excited to carry on reading. Side note: what does that say about me??
Do you have any book recommendations?
The Earring Update
When a new jewellery shop opened near me, i was immediately drawn in. I'd never seen a Lovisa before but was pretty impressed by the prices and the huge range, especially the ear rings. Earrings are something i got out of the habit of wearing for the last couple of years, however i have recently made a conscious bid to update my collection, get a new piercing and start wearing them again. This new shop provided me with the perfect opportunity!
There are some pieces that do look a lil tacky however if you have a good browse, there really is something for everyone, especially at such budget friendly prices. They may not be high quality, but for someone like me who is looking at getting back into earrings, you can't go wrong. These are the 5 pairs i picked up on my recent trip to Lovisa (I already have a number of other purchases from here), for a bargain of £7. I don't like earrings too fancy; quite simple, understated and delicate is usually my go-to, as it is for all jewellery. Let me know what you think!
There are some pieces that do look a lil tacky however if you have a good browse, there really is something for everyone, especially at such budget friendly prices. They may not be high quality, but for someone like me who is looking at getting back into earrings, you can't go wrong. These are the 5 pairs i picked up on my recent trip to Lovisa (I already have a number of other purchases from here), for a bargain of £7. I don't like earrings too fancy; quite simple, understated and delicate is usually my go-to, as it is for all jewellery. Let me know what you think!
Have you been to a Lovisa before?
Catherine x
My Travel Photo Diary | Split
I was looking through my photos and found a load from my holiday to Split in Croatia last summer that I really liked. I was umming and ahing about what to do with them, and eventually decided to put them in a post so I can have a look back on them in years to come! Hope you like browsing through them too! And maybe it'll inspire you to have your next holiday here...
Beautiful place!
From Spring to Summer Makeup
We're quickly heading towards summer where bases get a little lighter, lipsticks get a little brighter and I go a little heavy on the bronzer! I've picked out a few makeup items that'll serve you well through this transition period from spring to summer. Talking of summer- let's have a good one please?
It all starts with the base and generally something lighter, with less coverage is my go-to. But first of all this gal needs primer, makeup seems to just disappear from my face so anything that claims to help it last longer, i'm down for. The PUR Correcting Primer Illuminate & Glow does what it says on the bottle- gives the face a natural radiance but also gives a little bit of colour. So if you've got great skin that doesn't need much coverage or your heading to the beach and just want a lil something something' on your face, this could be your guy.
When my skin is behaving better in the summer months I love the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation. It's definitely a light coverage but it just makes your skin look like skin, which I looove. I also like mixing my foundations so if i'm ever having a bad skin day (i.e quite a lot), I mix it with one of my heavier duty foundations. Overall this is a lovely light foundation perfect for the Summer months (and has a nice smell!).
Spring/summer is when I bring out the cream products. You just can't go wrong with a cream blush when you want your cheeks giving off that rosy, flushed vibe. The Stila Convertible Cream Colours are so pigmented you need the tiniest amount. It's easy to apply, blends in smoothly and doesn't rub your foundation off underneath. It also doubles up as a quick and easy lip tint. I love the shade peach blossom for a peachy glow to the cheeks.
What spring/summer makeup is complete without the signature coral/orange lipstick. Here's three to pick from depending on how bright and daring you wanna go. For the brightest of brightest shades you can't go wrong with Topshop's Lipstick in Infrared. This looks amazing in the summer with a tan, glowy skin and just mascara on the eyes. If you don't wanna rock the full on orange lip, the Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in No.12 is a good pick. It still has that orange vibe, but has a much more red undertone, making it less 'out there'. Finally, for a sheerer, glossier and much more coral lip look, the Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in No.03 is the one for you.
What are your spring to summer makeup picks?
When my skin is behaving better in the summer months I love the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation. It's definitely a light coverage but it just makes your skin look like skin, which I looove. I also like mixing my foundations so if i'm ever having a bad skin day (i.e quite a lot), I mix it with one of my heavier duty foundations. Overall this is a lovely light foundation perfect for the Summer months (and has a nice smell!).
What spring/summer makeup is complete without the signature coral/orange lipstick. Here's three to pick from depending on how bright and daring you wanna go. For the brightest of brightest shades you can't go wrong with Topshop's Lipstick in Infrared. This looks amazing in the summer with a tan, glowy skin and just mascara on the eyes. If you don't wanna rock the full on orange lip, the Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in No.12 is a good pick. It still has that orange vibe, but has a much more red undertone, making it less 'out there'. Finally, for a sheerer, glossier and much more coral lip look, the Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in No.03 is the one for you.
What are your spring to summer makeup picks?
Catherine x
Makeup Wishlist #3
I don't think there's ever a time where I don't have a list of makeup i'm swooning over. However in an attempt to save money, I try to limit myself to only a few new makeup items a month, usually the essentials. So here's a wishlist of my current makeup wants and maybe needs 😉.
- Hourglass Ambient Lightning Palette- Most definitely a splurge item and not an essential but just look at it!?
- Nars is one of my favourite makeup brands, everything i've bought from there i've loved! I've wanted this eyeshadow duo in Isolde for a while but never got round to buying it. It'll give the perfect bronze eye look which is my go-to!
- On the less expensive side we've got the Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer. This is meant to be great at brightening the under eyes (as the name suggests), and anything that will help cover up my blue/purple under eyes is a must try!
- The final item on my current wishlist is the Original Beauty Blender. I use the Real Techniques sponge which is a lot cheaper and I really like, however I do wanna try the original since so many people rave about it. But £17 for a sponge??
What's on your current makeup wishlist?
Catherine x
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