To Read Pile

My love for books is strong, I have hundreds...my current living situation doesn't allow me to have them on hand or in display. I do however have a little space set aside on my desk for what I like to call my 'to read' pile. It's currently consisting of quite a few half read books and some books that I am dying to read.

The half read books;

George R.R. Martin - A Dance with Dragons

I am slowly but surely getting through this absolute beast of a book, I struggle to hold this book comfortably when reading it as it's so damn big. It the fifth (the pedant in me is screaming "it's the sixth!" book 3 is split in to 2 separate books) book in the series, another is soon to be released. I am enjoying it and have set myself a target of finishing it by the time GoT starts on TV again. I am not going to write a single plot line or name in this description as I want to ruin nothing for people who haven't yet read this far or are just watching the show. 

Trudi Canavan - Thief's Magic

Trudi is one of my all time faves, her Black Magician trilogy is up there among the best of the best, they have their own shelf in my storage, don't cha know? I am very nearly finished this book...less than a quarter remains of it, but I struggled to relate to the characters in this book and found that when I did the storyline changed back to the other character, the story is split between two main characters. I found the writing style in Thief's Magic to be a little more on the young adult side than her previous books. I will finish it...eventually.

Gillian Flynn - Gone Girl

After all the hype surrounding the movie, I bought this book on a whim during a buy 2 books for £7.00 deal, later that day realising that Mother had bought Father said book for his birthday...I started reading this and quickly found myself interested in Nick's character, I loved his chapters but found that I hated Amy's chapters and her as a character that I quickly stopped reading it. I was disappointed to say the least, but these things happen!

J.D. Salinger - The Catcher In The Rye

This has been a half read book of mine for well over a year, I really can't tell you why it still remains half read, everything I have read so far I really enjoyed and was so invested in the book, some other book must have interrupted my flow and I never picked it back up again. But I've put it in my eye line now, so I can't avoid it forever, right?

The to be read books;

Arthur Conan Doyle - The Hound of the Baskervilles

One of the many 'classics' in my collection, I went through a phase when my local HMV was still open and had all these amazing books ranging between £3-£7 that I have enough to last me a life time. I've always wanted to read this particular classic , it's not that big so I can't imagine it will take me much more than a few days to read it. 

Charles Bukowski - Notes of a Dirty Old Man

I'm not overly sure why I picked this one up, but it made it's way home with me one day and has remained on my 'to read' pile since. It is a collection of Charles Bukowski's columns for an underground LA newspaper he wrote for, it's not my usual bag but I'll give it a go. It may surprise me.

Joel Dicker - The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair

I'm going to put this out there and say that this was the book of 2014, everyone seemed to be talking about it, reading it and singing it's praises everywhere I looked. I bought it for my Dad for Fathers Day I believe, he's a quick reader to say the least but he seemed to finish this in quick time and it isn't exactly a small book. I have been wanting to read this for a long time and can't wait to start it!

How is your book list of 2015 looking so far? Is there anything particular you have to recommend?

Toodles!

x

Manic Monday #50

What a Monday to mark my 50th Manic Monday post...

To start the day, my car wouldn't do just that, start, I mean. That was a great way to begin my week! I frantically called my aunt with the hope that she hadn't left for work, she hadn't *phew* 

So after being considerably late to work and already not in the best of moods, thinking about how much money I could potentially have to spend on my car, I then get in to the office and find that nothing had been done. 

Evidently, the world of work just does not function in our offices unless I am there, worsening said mood. But I, the modest trooper that I am, got my sh*t together and got it done, just a little later than I usually do. 

 Then...ooooh then, I discover some very rude emails and messages from unhappy customers, who I happened to be dealing with, which again worsened said mood. 

I don't see why rudeness is necessary in the first place, I am never rude to people in customer service roles, I definitely want waiters to be included in this little rant, because it is simply not something that I think is appropriate...are the things that you are necessarily annoyed about that particular persons fault? More than likely not. Will being rude get you more out of the situation than if you are delightfully polite and act like an adult? In some cases, probably and certainly if you are dealing with someone like me who quells at the first sign of animosity. But is that little bit more that you may receive, because you have been an absolute arse to someone, worth ruining their day really worth it?

In my honest and definitely humble opinion, it isn't. 

Just because you are behind a screen or even on the phone to someone or at the very worst face to face with someone and something has rattled you, why do people think this justifies them to be rude?

I just don't see it at all, I feel like in a customer service role you are always the buffer for mistakes and yes, I completely appreciate that things that could have been prevented are annoying, but they are just that, mistakes.

Next time you want to be an arse, stop and ask yourself, "Is it really this persons fault?" If the answer is no, please consider being a little more polite than you may want to be. 

I know I always appreciate it. 

As they say, things can only get better. So I am now fully expecting a banger of a week to follow!

I hope you all had wonderful weekends and a great start to your week.

Toodles.

x

Life Long Friends...

Yesterday as I was spending time with my closest friends, I took a moment to marvel at the people who are still around. I was merely surprised at the ones who have been in my life, consistently for well over 8 years now.

If you'd asked me when I first met my group of friends, "who will you still be friends with in 5+ years?" Honestly, I don't think many of them would have instantly sprung to mind.

The people who have left my life and who I don't see often at all are the people I would have banked on being life long friends with. 

But I guess that it's funny how things turn out with friends, the people who are no longer around are no longer around for a range of reasons and I'm not necessarily sad about that any more.

We all change and grow, adapting to the changes of one another, appreciating what the other becomes. We have all been through so much together and yet, we are still are all here.

The ones who are still here now and can still make me laugh, I'm sure will be here for many years to come.

They do make me happy. And I think that speaks volumes.

Toodles.

Encouraging Exercise

The New Year always sparks a 'New Year, New You' type of flurry amongst the fitness pushers of the world and I am amongst them this year. I always dip in and out of exercising but find the next few things tend to help me get back in to a routine after being out of the mix for a while.

Rather than going 'Beast Mode' and try to go from zero to hero in a matter of days, I have learned from my mistakes and now to encourage myself to start enjoying exercise again.

Currently I'm doing the 30 Day Squat Challenge and 30 Day Crunch Challenge, to try and get myself a little bit more toned after dropping my Christmas weight. These challenges take a maximum  of 10 minutes out of your day, when you edge more towards the end of the challenges and man do you feel all empowered and accomplished when you actually finish one! 

I have also taken to doing a few Blogilates videos, in particular I love Cassey's "6 Minutes To" series of uploads. The arm one in particualr is amazing and I really love doing is as I have never really been a fan of my arms and would love to make them more toned!

You use no weights with this workout and my arms nearly drop off every time I do it, I really feel like it makes a difference and a 6 minute workout is the perfect length for my concentration span. 

I also love watching Yoga videos on YouTube, I have mentioned this before in my Zen post. 

Those are a few tips for a gentle way to encourage yourself back in to an exercise regime! Don't feel bad if you don't go for a 8 mile run every day...it really isn't normal for the majority of people!

Toodles!

x

Manic Monday #49

[Image Source: Pinterest]

It's just another not so Manic Mondaaaaaay.

It really, wasn't yet again...the most arduous thing I had to deal with today was dragging myself out of my comfortable bed at silly O'clock this morning and also knowing I have to wash my hair soon. 

However, it was just about the break of daylight when I left the house, I had a little jump with joy inside because now, in my mind, Spring is pretty much here. Keep dreaming, Adele.

There are a lot of secret-y things going on at work at the moment, hush, hush meetings, secret phone calls, meetings, meetings and more meetings and being allow to leave early far too often...

Now I'm not a lover of being kept in the dark and I have been secretly let in on some of the goings-on, so am semi-clued up, (wow, my stretching of the English language is fantastic today) but I still despise not fully knowing what is happening, when and if this thing that, I sorta, maybe, kinda, shouldn't-really-know-about, is going to come in to fruition.

I used the word fruition, so you can forgive all my abuse to the English language from above, right?

Being kept in the dark is something that I really struggle with. Yes, I am a controller and like to be in control of all of my situations. The not knowing where this may lead is absolutely killing me and it really doesn't help with the "Will I?", "Won't I?" question I have on the daily basis of whether or not I should seriously look for a new job.

Nothing is guaranteed, I need to keep telling myself that, but I am having a continual internal battle within my head with the same questions looping around and around.

But who can answer these questions? Only my boss...who also happens to be my uncle and who knows when it may be, then some of the questions, I can answer myself. 

Sigh, such is life. It's a good thing I'm enjoying all other aspects of my life!

How was your weekend? I thoroughly enjoyed mine! I hope the start to your week has at least been a little more explosive than mine was as well?

Toodles!

x

Happiness

I often question whether I am happy or if I'm just content and comfortable within my being. 

The cliche happiness is depicted as strolling through life, with a bounce in your step, sparkle in your eye and a smile on your face. 

But, as I was recently questioning my feelings on my current musings on my life, I did stop to wonder why should happiness be anything other than feeling content and comfortable in what I'm doing?

I don't feel any pressure from anywhere, except from me and what I want to do career-wise, but for me that is a constant question in my mind, I'm finally in a great place with the people in my life, things are wonderful with Ben.

I think I will always and forever question my happiness and if it is genuine, but for now I am quite content to say that I am just that.

Toodles.

x

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in As You Want Victoria

These lipsticks have great application along with amazing pigmentation that really packs a punch and it has real lasting power.

The formula is incredibly creamy and moisturising, as the name would indicate, it doesn't feel like a lipstick to me, I always seem to associate lipsticks with a chalky sort of feel to them, this formula however feels more like a balm.

As You Want Victoria is a great all rounder, I think it adds a great pop of colour to a make-up look. It works great in the colder months and I will definitely be wearing this regularly throughout Spring and Summer! 

 

I tend to apply straight from the bullet when I want a striking bright lip to my look or blot on with my finger for a more sheer coverage. 

However...the smell...not so great!

But with a price of £6.49 and a great range of colours...does that really matter too much?

Nope!

Toodles.

x

The Glamour Party Beauty Box

 

I love these little boxes. They're like a little Christmas in a box, mine arrived on Monday it was a great end to the day!

This edition is a great one, it's jam-packed with great brands and products and psst...I got mine for a fantastic price of £13.60! They have a 20% discount running on Latest In Beauty at the moment for this particular box.

The box design itself is lovely, dark navy with little sparkly stars printed on it, yes, it is a Christmas Party over-stock, evidently...but all of the products inside can be used all year round if you ask me!

Inside you get -

L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hair Spray

Vichy Cleanser

Vichy Skin Idealiser Serum

Lola Nail Polish in Stone Grey

Popband Hair Ties x 2

Collection Lengthening Mascara

Wild About Beauty Powder Eyeshadow

Philip Kingsley Moisture Balancing Shampoo

Philip Kingsley Moisture Balancing Conditioner

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cooling Firming Eye Gels

Xen-Tan Luminous Gold Gel

Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Grapefruit

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye  Liner in Black Amethyst

Wow...

You don't quite appreciate you get in it until you type it out! I'm really excited to give them all a good test, the only thing I'm not overly keen on is Wild About Beauty Eyeshadow, I've tried a couple of their products before and haven't been overly impressed with the staying power of them, but I'll still give this product a go! I have around a billion mascaras to go through at the moment, but the wand on this mascara looks great. 

If you haven't already gone over to Latest In Beauty to purchase one of the beauties...um...why?

You're welcome!

Toodles!

x

Manic Monday #48

 [Image Source: Pinterest]

The second Monday of the year is rapidly drawing to a close! However, mine wasn't so manic and I even had the opportunity to take my time with my work today...it still didn't prevent me from finishing everything at around 3 o'clock and thus inventing jobs for myself for last couple of hours.

Today, I'm not going to whittle on about the trials and tribulations I suffer at work, I was having a little think about what to write today in my spare time at work, as things are all but placid at work, but when I came home I stumbled across something that I wanted to talk about. 

I'm referring to commenters on YouTube videos on a certain video that I watched. I'm not going to point fingers, because it's not necessary, but the creator is quite a big YouTuber, this person does put a lot of effort in to their content most of the time and I really value this persons opinions.

It actually upset me slightly at the feedback I saw on this creators most recent video, there was a lot of negative comments, some people being downright rude and nasty and others offering polite yet constructive criticism.

The constructive criticism isn't what bothers me, as the content created is creative it will forever be open to opinion and constructive criticism is something that every YouTube content creator should expect, taking the comments on board if they are valid and they so wish too. 

However when people are just downright rude, to the point of being aggressive and degrading to the content-creator, then hiding behind their vicious comments, when they are challenged by other viewers, stating they are simply offering constructive criticism...it makes me quite angry.

The phrase "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything" has been thrown around for years and years and I regularly see it on YouTube videos comments yet it is still a completely valid point.

Everyone, within reason, is able to produce a perfectly polite, well constructed piece of constructive criticism, without comparing the videos to other content creators or directing any of the comment towards the creator themselves. 

I think the fact that anyone can write a comment completely anonymously, without a second thought, as it has little to no repercussion to them as a person has made people truly think they are writing a piece of constructive criticism by simply stating something like "Well, that was crap." There is nothing in a comment similar to that that the content creator can take away and work on and this is where I think people are unfortunately, for the creators, becoming confused.

I have often toyed with the idea of starting out a YouTube channel and posting videos, as I love watching other peoples content, however the comments section of other peoples channels simply puts me off. I don't have great self-esteem as it is and it even crushed me to read the comments I am referring to today, I would feel utterly devastated if someone ever spoke to me that way and it does put me off ever opening myself up to the scrutiny of today's public. 

I think some people need to wake up and realise that is it real people with real feelings that make this content and not everyone has a thick skin. Putting effort in to content for the enjoyment of others isn't an easy thing and I have true respect for content creators who make interesting and true material.

And that...is all I have to say!

I feel like doing an 'aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh' like Chandler after he gives up on not making jokes for a week after that!

AHHHHHHHHHHHH, cathartic stuff today!

I hope you enjoy this read, let me know your thoughts...

Constructive only please!

Toodles!

x

Observer

I'm not much of a talker, I never dominate the conversation and quell with fear slightly when I realise that I am actually holding the majority of peoples attention with my words.

I'm an observer, I like to sit back, drink all my surroundings in and to watch the interactions between people.

Saying that, I never really understand why people look at me as they pass...observing my face, my features, the way I walk and handle myself...

But I do the same to everyone who surrounds me, strange isn't it?

x

Resolutions

 
I know we're a little past the New Years celebrations now, but I still wanted to write this post. 

I'm not a huge believer in New Years Resolutions much anymore, when I was younger I always felt a huge pressure to set unrealistic goals for myself that resulted in me inevitably feeling bad about myself when they were unattainable.

Now that I'm older, I like to set a couple of smaller goals for myself, whether it's for some personal self-improvement or to attempt to finish something that I have left undone. 

I don't put a tonne of pressure on myself to complete these things or set goals where I have to do something daily, because I know myself and know that is probably something I couldn't stick to. 

This year;

• I would like to improve and make more time for my friends, replying to texts being the prime example.
• Ideally, I would like to learn how to switch off and leave work at work. 
• Finish A Dance With Dragons...it's getting silly now!
• Pick up my writing again and get back in to writing my book. 
• Continue with my healthy eating and maintain my weight.
• Finally a personality one, I would also like to try and improve on my patience and tolerance levels.

 I don't believe these goals are unattainable and I haven't set myself any ridiculous, out of hand goals that I would get frustrated over.

How do you look at resolutions? Do you set much in store by them? What would you like to achieve this year?

Toodles!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

x

The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil

I picked this up a few weeks ago on a spontaneous trip in to The Body Shop, I was out of my previous cleanser and wanted to try an oil for the colder months, I find it adds so much more hydration to the skin than using a regular cleansing milk or lotion. I decided on the Camomile Cleansing Oil.

The oil itself has a really heavy feel to it, it's not too light as I find sometimes cleansing oils feel a bit 'watered-down' and it feels effortless to

Manic Monday #47

 [Image Source: Pinterest]

First official Manic Monday of the year, woop woop! 

Officially marking the 1 year anniversary of Manic Monday's! Yes, the numbers are off slightly, I missed a few...OK?! But I'm proud that regularly updated my MM posts!

Things are now back to normal, sigh of relief over here, not that I don't love Christmas or anything detrimental like that but I like being in my routine and having things to do. I found myself at a loose end toward the end of my break, there's only so much eating and drinking a gal can do.

Regardless of my feelings towards my work-life, I am appreciative of the fact that I do have a stable (as can be) job, love putting my all in to my work and feeling satisfied that I try my damnedest to succeed. 

I know that I am appreciated at work but recent events at said work place, pre-Christmas, have majorly affected how I view certain things and how my colleagues conduct themselves or view certain situations in my place of work.

That being said I have come to the conclusion that I am no longer happy working there and feel like a very tiny fish in a massive, storm ridden ocean. Teeny, tiny fish who can run the place (almost) single-handedly, mind you. 

Ah, I'm waffling...we are truly back.

As this post currently stands -

• I appreciate my general life situation
• I know I am fortunate
• I appreciate my job
• I appreciate that I have a stable job
• I do like my job...to an extent
• But recent events have made me unhappy at work and I feel I no longer enjoy what I do

To conclude, I shall be looking for new endeavors.

I'm not in any particular rush, but am in quiet assurance with myself that this is the right thing to do. Normally this kind of thing fills me with dread, but I feel very calm right now...it has to be right, right?

Have you had any recent life epiphanies? Were you happy to return to your routine?

Toodles!

x

Decisions

[Image Source: Pinterest]  

I feel at a crossroads in my life, which fork do I take next...? Do I take the one I am currently on, trudging along the same path to see where it takes me? Or jump in a completely different direction and see where those take me instead?

Being on the same path could potentially be easy...something may be mapped out, but I don't know the definitive answers, yet. Jumping on to a new road may be scary, place me out of my element, cause something completely unexpected to happen, but that could all lead to something amazing. 

Eventually.

So...which road to take?

Toodles.

x

January

[Image Source: Pinterest] 

 

January, you always seem to bring with you a clean slate, optimism and a quiet excitement for the possibilities of new adventure and opportunities that may come this way.

For me, of course.

Others seem to have more a pessimistic view of you, January, more time to pass, more time for things to go wrong, more time for them to wallow in their own martyrdom...

I like the idea of starting fresh, to brush the old year from your system, whether good or bad. I like having things to look forward to, to aim for in the near or short future, I'm not too fussy, January.

However, don't get me too wrong, I'm not a huge lover of resolutions, I have a hideously competitive spirit with myself, a need to prove myself to me and have previously burned only myself by setting unobtainable goals in the past and inevitably setting myself up to fail.

I sit somewhere in the middle between the people who set resolutions and religiously strive to achieve every single one and the people who like to wallow in the past, present and future. 

I feel I lean a little more toward the resolution go-getters though, January. 

I hope you treat us well.

Toodles.

x

The 2014 Favourites

Make Up // Tools - 

Rimmel Brow This Way 

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in Eastend Snob

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer

Real Techniques Blush Brush

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Bourjois Creme Blush in 02 Healthy Glow

No7 Eye Contour Brush

Beauty // Skincare - 

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

Sanctuary 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask
Super Facialist by Una Brennan Neroli Firming Day Cream

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

Hair Care - 
Garnier Ultimate Blends Conditioner The Marvelous Transformer
Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Texturising Spray
CO LAB Dry Shampoo

Music - 

Bonobo

Hozier 

Doomtree
P.O.S

Books - 
The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovitch

Moon Over Soho - Ben Aaronovitch
Alices Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
Confessions of a Sociopath - M. E. Thomas

Perfume - 

Lancome - La Vie Est Belle

And finally...

The Scarf

I hope you had a wonderful 2014 and wishing you all a healthy and happy 2015. 

Toodles!

x