January's Books

As previously mentioned in one of my new year posts here, I've taken on the Popsugar reading challenge and am really enjoying it! I like how it gives me chance to read books I wouldn't usually and gives me categories to stick to.

I'm so glad I chose to take it on. I've read more books this month than I usually do in a whole year. I thought I'd go through the list and tell you my thoughts on the books I've read so far!

1. Book about an interesting woman -

Audrey Hepburn: An Elegant Spirit by Sean Ferrer Hepburn
This book was truly amazing to me because it gave me a bigger admiration to my hero, Audrey Hepburn. I would even recommend it to those who are not as big a fan of her like me. For more details on the book, please see my more detailed review here.

2. Book you've read before that never fails to make you smile

The World of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
I have such fond memories of reading the books of Beatrix Potter growing up. I was inspired by the tale of her drawing the pictures and writing the stories of the animals. As a kid I wanted to be a writer, and therefore loved reading her books and even finding out how her books came to be. With moving recently, I came across the books I had and decided to give them a read. It was nice to look back. I think these are another thing kept by my mother; she often says of things from my childhood: "I'm keeping these for my grandchildren!"

3. Audiobook

Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
My Dad had been enjoying the book, and referred me to it through Audible. Audible is great as you get the first book free.

The book itself was incredible and featured many unexpected twists. Without giving too much away, it is based on a woman on her journey to cope with the death of her husband, Joe a meer four months after the murder of her sister, Claire. She is an incredibly strong woman as an ex-soldier and mother to Lily, it follows her journey as she comes across many discrepancies on how it came to be. Just when you think you can guess what is happening, something happens to change your mind completely!

4. Book on TBR list for way too long

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
I don't really have a list of books to read if I'm honest, but do want to read more classic novels. Therefore I chose to read Jane Eyre. I was pleasantly surprised because I didn't expect to enjoy reading it as much as I did. Often I have found myself to be bored by some 'classics'. However I challenge anyone to get bored of reading this as it has elements of many good books. It features the hardship of a girl growing up unwanted, her love for education, a love story, comedy lines, some slight horror and a journey to discovery. I recommend this to anyone to read, even those who don't think they will like it. I also thought the old english might make it hard to follow, but to be honest there weren't that many adaptations. I was also surprised to learn some scottish words came from the olde english (I might be stupid to not have figured that bairn and other words come from old english originally). I expected a predictable love story, but found an unpredictable plot about a woman's life growing up.

5. Book loved as a child

Girls under pressure by Jacqueline Wilson
I mistakenly bought a CD instead of the book, but thoroughly enjoyed listening to this again! It was incredible as it took me back to my pre-teen self. Growing up I greatly admired Jacqueline Wilson and read all her books at the time. Favourites that come to mind include Lottie Project, Illustrated mum, The Story of Tracy Beaker, Lola Rose and the Girls series (like Girls under pressure, but also included Girls in Love and Girls out late). Jacqueline Wilson has a great way to tackling big issues, but writing about them in a way to educate and entertain her readers. This book tackles many issues of growing up including dealing with relationships, annoying siblings, bullying, dealing with stress, accepting your body image and dealing with weight loss and weight gain concerns.

6. Steampunk novel

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I can appreciate that this was beautifully written with bits like this: "I will revenge my injuries; if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear and chiefly towards you my arch-enemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred." From reading, I can understand why it is a classic and am glad I read it. It was nice to read a book in a few days. I think a normal reader could finish this in two days easily.

I hope you enjoyed hearing about the books I've read so far. There will be many more to come. I'm currently reading Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. I've found it slow, but it is really well-written. This one is a lot bigger than some of the ones I read last month, so hope I can read 2 or 3 more for next month!

Book Review of Audrey Hepburn: An Elegant Spirit

One of my main goals this year is to read more, and I can definitely say I'm doing well so far. I challenged myself to complete the Popsugar challenge, as discussed here. Already I've finished one book, Audrey Hepburn: An Elegant Spirit by Sean Hepburn Ferrer. I've also completed a childhood favourite, The tales of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, started re-reading a favourite book by Jacqueline Wilson - Girls under pressure, yesterday I finished Jane Eyre and have also enjoyed listening to the audiobook, Fool me once by Harlan Coben. This means that I predict I will read more in this month than I did last year alone! Onto the first book I finished and what I thought...

As stated in my recent wishlist, I was desperate to read Audrey Hepburn: An Elegant Spirit. For those who don't know I greatly admire so much about Audrey Hepburn from her talent for acting, her elegance, her amazing charity work for UNICEF, her inspirational words and just all the things she achieved in the small life she had.

Scenes from Funny Face (pictures in book)

I find it harder in a way to describe how great this book is because I care more than a typical novel. I have never read a biography either; if I want to know about someone I'd rather read it in their own words. When I was a teenager I read a lot of autobiographies. My favourites were from Julie Walters, Paul O'Grady and Michael Parkinson (probably not the typical books a teen would be reading). However considering Audrey Hepburn didn't want to write an autobiography and died three months after I was born, I knew I couldn't read an autobiography from her. That being said, I was impressed to hear her oldest son, Sean wrote a biography about her. Who better to discuss her life than someone who loved her the most and knew her their entire life?

I think if there really is a heaven, Audrey would be looking down; she'd be proud of the way her son went about illustrating her life. The book was filled with just as many pictures as words, so much so that it almost felt like he was showing a member of the family the pictures. I honestly learnt so much about her too. I learnt that she wasn't just a typical celebrity doing charity work; she genuinely cared and went out of her way to help. Children she met were moved; Sean details stories of children who were transfixed by her, or children she hugged and held. Most fascinatingly of all, Audrey had a difficult start to life and dealt with malnutrition during the war; she knew best of all what it must be like. UNICEF was actually a charity who helped her, and she strongly believed in helping them to continue the support they provide. She was the best ambassador they could have! I was near tears reading some of the speeches she gave that featured in the book. She was incredible and inspirational, and almost without trying. Making a difference with such ease!

Somalia 1992 (powerful picture from book)

The book also featured recipes to her favourite dishes, discussed wise motherly advice Audrey gave to her sons and even quotes she appreciated.

Of course, the book also did what every book did and described her life in all - childhood to adult, and even described how she dealt with her illness and the days leading to her death. I don't want to go too much into that as I feel I might give something away, and spoil the book for you.

The one downfall of a son writing a biography can be that it isn't critical. It won't describe personal weaknesses of the well-known actress, but then again he says that early on. There were no scandals about Audrey Hepburn, so why would he create them? If you hope to hear juicy details about her divorces, you won't. Some harder issues are brushed over, but it doesn't stop the book being a favourite biography; one that I'm proud to have read and one that makes me feel like a better person for reading. How many books can genuinely say they've done that?

Instead of focusing on what you might feel you've missed, I will focus on the good. It describes her relationships with her parents, the warmth she had as a mother that demonstrated just one more thing she took to naturally. I also learnt she didn't initially want to be an actress, and it was interesting how she came to be an actress instead.

Perhaps my favourite pictures of Audrey with son (photos in book)

When I finished the book, I felt a strange feeling of emptiness and sadness which I still can't explain. I also felt somehow motivated to support good causes, make a difference in the life you have and show real love to everyone I care for. I hope if you choose to read, you might get a similar appreciation. This has to be a favourite read for me. Like most books, I'm not sure I will read it again, but that's just me. I've never re-read books unless asked for educational purposes.

Taken during the production of War and Peace (photo from book)

I really feel like my review doesn't give it justice, but these are the only words that come to mind as I try not to give too much away or hint too much about the most interesting parts of the book, or parts worth mentioning.

Let me know if you have read this book, or whether you know much about Audrey Hepburn.

I hope to write a summary of all the books I've read this month at the start of the next month. I think it will be good to help me keep on top of the challenge, and also detail some amazing reads!

Another favourite picture from the book taken in 1991

Day 11 of Blogmas - Happy Christmas Eve

In many countries, today is the day to open presents; not tomorrow.

Every year my mum lets me open one present on Christmas Eve; she picks and I open it. To extend on this tradition, I let Dad open his jellybabies. I thought about giving mum a present, but that would leave her with one thing to open, which is due. This year I got her a calendar that she picked and a Laura Geller gift set. While moving, I accidentally smashed her Brighten and Glow by the brand; she was annoyed, so thought it would be nice to replace with some other great products.

Dad tried to say I was too young for this tradition, but like an advent calendar, I refuse to let my mum stop doing it. Total mummy's girl here!

Last night, I had a great Skype conversation with two of my friends, and got to open my presents. We usually meet, have a lovely meal, catch up and open presents. Not this year. It makes me sad, but I'm hopeful we will do it next year when I have more money.

One friend got me a balloon lamp and Body Shop gift set:

I've already tried some of the body lotion since my legs have blistered from chaffing (that's something nobody tells you about putting on weight). I found this lovely, cooling and just what was needed. I'm really happy with this as feel I look after my skin well, but body is actually very dry and neglected.

Another got me two packs of bath salts from Oliver Bonas, book: What would Audrey do? by Pamela Keogh and book: Ultimate Travelist: The Best Places on the planet...ranked by Lonely Planet:

As you know, I love Audrey and she's utterly my idol!

One of the places I wish to visit most!

Back to my Christmas Eve tradition, this year my mum let me open this:

I love a good pair of PJs as of late, so I'm excited to wake up wearing these.

Here are some funny conversations and things to happen on the lead-up to Christmas to end on:

Conversation 1:
A: I hate it when he screws up his wrapping year every year at Christmas.
B: (laughing) why? Everyone does that!
A: It makes it hard to recycle, it needs to be folded. I will just have to do it after he's done because he just won't.

Event 1:
Have you ever tried wrapping presents with pets? They are fascinated by wrapping paper. I was clever to do mine in my room, and away from animals. My mum not so much. One dog got tangled in sellotape and the other managed to trample on the wrapping paper.

Event 2:
As I might have previously mentioned in my post about Santa here, I believed in Santa until I was 11, which is probably quite old. I even believed when friends said they'd seen their parents putting out the presents. I even believed when I saw Santas at department stores or garden centres, that they were fake but help Santa. I fell for every lie my family gave me. The funniest excuse my mum came up with for why kids had seen their parents giving presents...they are naughty children, and the parents didn't want them to be upset.

That leaves me to wish you a merry Christmas. There will be one short post tomorrow, so I won't wish you a "Merry Christmas" just yet!  Not decided whether there will be anymore December posts, or whether it will be in the new year...

First Blogmas Post - My Wishlist

My 12 days of Blogmas posts has finally began! I can't believe it. The month is already flying by; not surprising as the year has \zoomed past. So much things have happened - good and bad. However, spreading a lot of positivity, here is a list of things I want for Christmas:

1. Foundations

I'm still to find the perfect foundation for my skin. Truthfully my skin is really difficult to deal with. Recently I've discovered I'm allergic to an ingredient called which is nearly every item (in fact, I dare you to grab your household items and see how many have it in? It's often in toothpaste, washing powder, washing-up liquid, makeup and beauty/toiletry items). Being very pale and with no pink undertones, I really struggle to find a foundation that suits me and doesn't make me look bad. However I have recently started to blend my neck with bronzer which looks a lot better!

If I'm not struggling with that, I also have acne scarring which only covers with high-coverage foundations, which don't seem to be as popular. Every girl wants to look natural. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the girl to top-up during the day, or to paste it on but I wouldn't like to be seen without it! I find because I'm prone to acne, I try to avoid some oil-based products however, oil-free items can totally dry out my skin. It often feels like I can't win!

However I've heard good things about a few different brands so here are a few I'd love to try:

• Urban Decay "Naked Skin" Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Foundation, £27 - I have heard so many good things about this one.I love that it is vegan (as I'm looking to use more natural and vegan friendly products). Although it is a lightweight foundation, I adore their concealer (I can almost use it without foundation); I love that it says it goes on like moisturiser as I hate the almost "caked-effect" you get with a lot of foundations.
• Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick, £29.50 - Looking online it has really light shades, I might even be the second along for once! I like that it is meant to last a long time and provide full coverage. Most of all, I've been wanting to try Bobbi Brown for a very long time!
• Tarte Rainforest for the Sea Foundation, £28 - This is another vegan brand that I've used. They do amazing eyeshadow palettes and I have tried one of their foundations before. I tried the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour full coverage foundation and loved it in many ways. It provided great coverage and lasted the full day. The colour seems a bit lighter too
• Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation, £29.50 - Again this is a brand I've wanted to try for a long while. I also like that it's meant to provide full coverage, but is lightweight for the skin.
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, £27.90 - I always hear such good things about this foundation, and really want to try it!
• Too Faced - Born This Way Undetectable Foundation, £28 - Again this is a brand I really want to try. The name reminds me of a Lady Gaga though! 

Who knew I could write a post mostly on foundation there!

2. Money for driving lessons 

I'll be upset if a koala can sit behind a wheel!

My main goal for next year is to pass my driving test, and before the 26th November (when theory test runs out). I really struggled with my theory, so will be gutted if I need to do it again.I knew driving was a long process, but having started over two years ago, I just want to get to it!

3. Films

I'm a big lover of films, so always love to see a new film added to Netflix, getting a fun second-hand DVD or a film I've not seen (especially if it's off my film list).

4. Books

There are a few books I want to get, as I hope to start reading more again. I did start to but haven't found anything I've been really into for a while. Here are a few I like the sound of though:

• Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit: written by Sean Hepburn Ferrer - I love Audrey Hepburn as she is beautiful, talented and admire all her charity work. I could waffle on for days about her, but won't. I already did a little during a recent blogtober post.
• A Street Cat Named Bob: written by James Bowen- I love unique stories like this. I don't want to say too much as I feel I won't do it justice, but I heard about it on the news recently and was instantly drawn to the tale.

5. Gift Cards

I always ask family members for this. I love to get specific gift cards because I find January to be such a long month, and feel you can't treat yourself to nice things as you're saving from spending so much. I'm also really bad for not having warm clothes this time of year, so desperately need to buy myself new things this time of year. I am loving stuff in New Look, H&M and Next at the moment.

6. Organiser

I bought a diary from Urban Outfitters the start of last year, where I could fill out entries for every day for five years. I liked the idea of seeing how things had changed. However I'm known to forget appointments so love a little book to jot these in. Having recently visited Paperchase, I saw fab organisers where you can fill a to-do list, budget plan, meal-planner and much more. I think all these will help me a lot to keep me focused, help me save more for driving and help my healthy eating. Shopping with my mother, I know I got this one!

7. Clip-on Earrings

My ear piercings have totally sealed up. The last time I got them done, the woman said I couldn't get them done again. Therefore when I stupidly left them out for maybe a week and it hurt to put them in, it's safe to say I gave up. I have not seen any nice clip-on earrings and miss them as jewellery. I am like a magpie attracted to all glitter and sparkle so would love ones like this!

8. Flat Shoes

I love to wear flats most of the year, and at the moment only have two pairs. One is quite formal and the other is very bright and I don't wear often. I hate shoe shopping (I know - I must be the woman exception), so love it when I get them for presents.

9. Chocolate

I love getting a Terry's Chocolate Orange every year at Christmas. I also just love Giant Chocolate buttons at the moment, so would be grateful of a bag of them!

10. Something personal

I feel the best presents are lots of little things that show how much you care and have thought about the person. It could be a treasured memory, an "in" joke or merchandise related to an interest, hobby or a favourite film/TV programme. These are the presents you don't know you want!

Anyway, that's me - my list is longer than I thought! Hope you enjoyed reading.

What do you want from Santa? I would love to hear it.