The Power of Nails

I thought I'd dedicate this whole post to painting my nails. I just love it so much; to me, it is like a therapy. It is the only thing that can help me grow my nails and stop biting them.

This post is also an opportunity to show you the different colours I've tried from my gift sets for Christmas.

Nails Inc

Victoria Rise

It's a lovely nude shade. I love that it is neutral and will go with anything. I don't usually like pink shades but loved this.

Nailkane in Queen's Mews

I love this pastel shade - it's perfect for springtime.

Special Effect - Trinity Gardens

I love the sparkly metallic look of this colour; it is great for special occasions or if like me you love sparkle or glitter.

Nailkale - Charlotte Mews

I'm not usually one for nude shades, but this set had me converted. I love this colour - it's like a coconut shade. I love how it is pastel shade and goes with a lot of spring colours.

Multivitamin - Hampstead High Street

I don't go for darker shades unless it's black, but this was alright. This isn't my usual style, so not sure whether I will wear it too often.

Multivitamin - unsure what shade it is though!

I am loving nude shades just now, and this is no exception.

O.P.I

O.P.I Breakfast at Tiffany's - Pearl

The next colour I tried was the O.P.I Breakfast at Tiffany's collection. My first colour was the Breakfast a Tiffany's shade, which was a lovely pearl shade. Not something I'd normally wear, but loved it. It didn't chip for almost a week, which is good going! However, I used more than 2 layers to get the colour out as it was really light and initally went on very patchy. That being said, I loved it on and will wear it again. Once on, it lasted!

O.P.I Breakfast at Tiffany's - Red

Then finally I tried the classic red, which is popular with so many. I think red is a staple nail colour. It stands out with dull/neutral outfits.

My favourites are probably the Victoria Rise and Queen's Mews from Nails Inc.

I hope you enjoyed reading. I don't usually write about beauty as don't feel I know a lot, but thought it would be fun to show these different shades. What are your favourite nail colours at the moment? Why do you like to paint your nails? I'd love to know!

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

The Year Review

Goodbye 2016 and like many others I'm glad to see the back of it. Personally, it's been the toughest year for me, but I learnt so much from it.

This post is all about the big things that happened month by month, and also an opportunity to address new year's resolutions and advice on how to start the year.

January
This was the month that affected the rest of the year because I quit the job I had just started and hated. I quit without a new job, which was the hardest thing I did; I don't regret it as I felt it was necessary, but not going to go into that negative part too much...

I attended a friend's 30th birthday, and then went go-karting the next day (completely hungover and with little sleep). I've always wanted to go-kart, but haven't. It was so much fun. I went for a friend's birthday. For anyone who hasn't done it, we did a tester part, which I failed and then you compete with friends to come 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I failed as didn't know you could brake, but crashing was fun! (Scary to think I'm learning to drive).

More friend birthday events were attended too.

February
After ending a relationship in the end of 2015, I decided to embrace alone time more. Living by myself and working independently.

I started to enjoy doing independent things such as attending my first gig alone, which was terrifying. I realised friends didn't all have the same interests as me, so I needed to not that stop me doing what I wanted to.

One of my closest friends, Jools had been with her boyfriend for 6 years and he proposed. I was so happy for her solemate to finally do it! I jokingly asked for many years when he'd do it, and he finally did! Jools called me immediately after and asked me to be her Maid of Honour, which I was so happy about. I talked about the joy of being asked to be a bridesmaid in one of my posts this year, but can't seem to find which post it was. If I can, I will update with the post.

March

It was a long month trying to get sorted with jobs and had temporary positions, but money just dried up. I made the hard decision to move away from Dundee, away from friends and move back with parents, who had now moved to the Isle of Wight.

April 
I actually made the plunge at the start of the month and moved back with parents. First, my grandparents who were slightly closer and lived in Yorkshire visited me. They then helped me move my stuff into their car, I stayed at theirs for a few days (that was bizarre being in the small town I once grew up in, and went to school; it had changed a lot, but then was completely the same too). Then we made our way through much more driving and a ferry from Southampton to Isle of Wight.

I also enjoyed taking lots of pictures and discovered I like photography again. Here is a post describing my love for photography.

May
When I was younger (maybe about 5 or 6), we lived with squirrels. Not by choice! They kind of invaded. In May, we discovered we were living with mice. That was fun! We realised when we saw that cous cous had holes in, and when they attempted to get my Dad's peanuts that were kept in a container. For many reasons including this, we hated living in the bungalow. We then made the journey to move to another part of the island. It was good as we moved closer to more shops and just more, more.

June 
While out for a meal to celebrate my Mum's birthday, another friend who proposed to her boyfriend in February asked me to attend her 2018 wedding. Minutes later, I found out my Lisa was the next engaged lady. Her boyfriend of 5 years asked her to marry him, while on holiday. I was over the moon!

July
Lisa asked me and my close friend, Hannah to be one of her bridesmaids. We both received hampers like this:

July was also the month that I started writing this blog. Click here to see the very first post.

August
I started working in a temporary position at Waitrose - working 6.30am to 1.30pm on Saturdays (don't miss those early starts) and 1.15pm to 4.15pm on Sundays (where I rarely finished on time).

I also started working towards improving myself more - attending a six week course of stress workshops,which was great. It taught me things I already knew and new things about sleep, exercise and diet helping to improve stress levels. I recommend this to everyone!

September
I volunteered for a charity called Community Empowerment - helping with bid writing for a few weeks.

I visited my friends in Scotland - travelling to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. It was a time to meet the other bridesmaids and groomsmen for Jools and Peter's wedding in Glasgow, go shopping, eat out a LOT, quality time with friends and of course attending Lisa's engagement party.

I took a great few pictures, but felt that was hugely personal. Therefore, here is a picture of my subcrawl with Jools and the rest of the groomsmen etc. This is a picture I took with two women who told me that they attended the comic-con that day:

How cool do they look? Shame I look awful!

October
I left Dundee and made my way home at the very start of the month.

For the blog, I took part in Blogtober. Feel free to re-read these posts! I love writing them and expanding my ideas of what to write about.

It was also my 24th birthday, which was unfortunately a bit disappointing - not seeing my friends, not doing anything special but got everything I could possibly ask for.

November

Due to certain circumstances, we needed to move again, so on the 26th November, we moved to Ipswich.

Before leaving the island, I enjoyed volunteering for the local hospice on the island. Helping to promote their Santa Dash event, working on admin tasks for the fundraising team and generally helping where I could.

December
I learnt that there will be more surprises to come in 2017 and lots more to look forward to besides engagements and weddings.

I also took part in Blogmas, where I wrote 12 posts on the lead-up to Christmas and the new year.

I also volunteered at the local Ipswich Hospital charity assisting in wrapping presents and taking presents to the children's ward. It really bought home the spirit of giving during the festive period. I hope I will do it again next year as it was truly the best fun!

Finally, I had the best Christmas I've had as an adult - spending it with parents, getting everything I could ask for and relaxing. Then seeing grandparents a few days after to celebrate all over again!

As I draw to the end of the first 2017 post, I'd like to say a few things about the new year, and advice on making the most of it:

1. Dust
Like the motto: "Tidy house, tidy life" or it goes something like that! I think there is something therapeutic about starting afresh with a more organised and tidy start to your house and life. I have been dusting my room today, as living with parents I can't always control the rest of my surroundings.

2. Sort out things
This is said in a very broad sense. Yesterday started with me tidying drawers which didn't have set places for things. Now I have folders with stationery, financial/important information and medical stuff. Everything has it's place! It was also the first time to find places for things as moving I still feel, not everything has a home just yet!

3. Get rid of crap!
I often find that I do a spring clean in autumn - getting rid of clothes, DVDs, books etc, all the things I don't need or have used. However I've decided I've already accumulated so much rubbish since moving. I suggest you do it at the start of any new year - it's great!

4. Set realistic goals/resolutions
So many people fail at their New Year Resolutions, but I strongly believe it's because they look at it the wrong way. Every year I love to set goals, more like plans for what I wish to do in the new year. I don't get disappointed if I don't do them all as they are mainly ideas of what I would like to achieve over time. Here are some pictures of ones I set in previous years:

2009 New Year Resolutions

2011 New Year Resolutions

I love organising things for the new year.

5. Keep organised
Get a diary or calendar to make sure you don't miss a single appointment or engagement. Organise yourself in any way that might help. With my new planner, I can now budget, keep a to-do list and plan my meals to get healthier.

6. Plan
Make your plans for the year for holidays, career and anything you feel needs improving.

7. Do YOU!
I'm not sure what to add here, as you know what you need to do for yourself - I don't. I want to start looking after myself more - moisturising and exfoliating my body, concentrating on things that matter to me and help achieving goals.

8. Get back to work
Christmas and New Year's Day is now over, so you're either back at work or getting ready to properly start the new year. I wish you well, and hope you all work to achieve what you want both personally and professionally. I'm excited to get to it!

Book Review: Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes

I figure writing a blog post can be like writing the first chapter, or first sentence to a book - intimidating, but once you start you're onto a good thing. Well I try to convince myself of that. A blog post is a lot easier though; it is easy to get it published, and it's easy to write a short blog. There is no word limit like a book, but no pressure to keep to the same theme or story. Each post can be different if you wish. I've tried a few times to write a book with little success.

It's only recently I've started to enjoy reading again. During university, I thought it was important to read every book on my reading list. Spending a lot of time taking books back to the library, speed-reading things that were relevant...long story short and my love for reading faded. However with free time on my hands, I've started reading again. I can't believe how much pleasure it can give. I always read before bed and sometimes during the day. It's nice.

Two days ago I finished reading Rachel's Holiday written by Marian Keyes. It was an amazing read. I bought the book maybe two years ago, maybe less. I got it from a charity shop; I tend to get most books from charity shops or they are books that family members buy me for birthdays. Books I've asked for.

At the time I remember seeing an interview with the author, and thinking, "She sounds interesting. I want to read one of her books!" So when I'd visited Aberdeen's Oxfam, I just got the book, not really realising its context. I assumed it was a nice book about going on 'holiday.' How wrong I was.

It tells the story of Rachel Walsh, who is known for her love of recreational drugs. Her ex, Luke Costello says of her: "If it's a drug, Rachel will have taken it. She's probably taken drugs that haven't been invented yet."

Living in New York with her best friend, Brigit, she is known as the Walsh daughter who loves to party. However before long she is 27, unemployed and being mistaken for a drug addict. Her parents hear of a recent hospital stay and have her back in Ireland. They even pay for her stay at the Dublin's answer to the Betty Ford clinic, Cloisters. Rachel happily agrees as she thinks of it more of a holiday (hence the book title). She thinks it is the place that all the rock stars go cold turkey with jacuzzis, gymnasiums, massages and lots of luxury. Without giving away too much, Rachel learns a lot about herself while at Cloisters. I don't think I'm meant to, but I find this book to be hugely uplifting with a side of humour and intrigue. I started off reading it slowly and before long I was spending most of my days reading it.

Researching into the Irish writer, Marian Keyes and her other publications, I discover that she has written about the Walsh sisters with other books including: Angels, Watermelon, Anybody Out There and The Mystery of Mercy Close. Apparently Marian is known to tackle hard-hitting issues such as domestic violence and mental illness. I know she tackles addiction well, and reading inside I learn that like any dedicated author, researched many treatment centres to learn how they differ. I want to read more of the adventures of the Walsh sisters, and these books will definitely be on my birthday wishlist. 

Now that I've finished, I've stacked up quite a list of books to move onto:

1. Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay
I've read the first book, when my kind friend lent it about a year ago (give or take). Loved it. I adore the series, but love how the book differ in some ways. For example, some characters are killed off sooner and some parts happen later than they did in the series. Nevertheless it was written brilliantly and I can't wait to read this one.

2. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov 
I've been trying to read this classic for quite some time. I can't remember when I first got it, but find the subject matter difficult to get to grips with. It is very descriptive, and the books I like most have a lot of dialogue and things actually happening. There seems to be a lot of discussion of feelings in this, as the main character is stepfather to Lolita who he is physically attracted to. It feels like you're invading a disgusting family's nightmare. I feel like a bit of a trespasser when I pick it up, if that makes sense. I'd be interested if anyone else has read it. I just can't warm to it!

3. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
This is another book I've had for a fair few years, and not got to read. I only started the first page this week. With over 1,000 pages it is maybe a bit intimidating to get started.

4. Black & Blue by Ian Rankin
I've heard a lot about the writer and thought it seemed interesting when I came across it in East Cowes' Age UK charity shop. I'm not sure if I've read an Ian Rankin book before. I seem to remember reading a crime book on a long journey back from Glasgow to Aberdeen...Aye well! Either way I will let you know what I think of this.

5. The People V. O.J. Simpson: The Run of His Life by Jeffrey Toobin
It's an interesting case that I've wanted to learn about. Unfortunately I missed watching the TV series so I'm looking forward to reading this instead

Youtube Review: Twenty one pilots - Blurryface

I love music, and quite often listen to different albums on youtube. They usually start with something to listen to while I clean or have a shower. Then if I like them, I listen to them more throughout the day.

Blurryface is like any other album I've heard because it combines so many different genres. According to Wikipedia, they describe it as reggae, rock, pop, hip hop, pop-rap, alternative dance and electropop. This seems very accurate because there is a definite rock element to the album, but it has been shaken up with a dance and rap style. 

When I first listened to the album I adored 13/14 of the songs and liked the other (Tear in my heart). Even with the best of albums, it is difficult to like every single song. Having listened to the album repeatedly, I would say my true favourites are Heavydirtysoul, Fairly Local and Lane Boy.

Listening to Stressed Out was what made me interested in Twenty One Pilots. It made me want to know more about the band. It sounded cheerful while also being serious in it's lyrics. For instance, did you know that their music label is Fueled by Ramen? This is the same label to represent Gym Class Heroes, 3OH!3, Panic! At The Disco, Young The Giant and Paramore. This is their second album with the label, but it is their fourth album. I feel like I was just a bit late to the party in discovering this amazing band. It brings me back to being a teenager when I felt so lucky when I discovered a great band before they made it big. I no longer seem to have that exclusive knowledge.

That being said, now that I have discovered their music, I'm in absolute awe and can't help but listen to more of their music. One of my favourite songs by them, Fairly Local is about the lead singer and how he refuses to let people label him. He makes reference to his depression and angst. "They say I'm evil to the core" or "emotional". These are feelings that I'm sure many of their fans are experiencing, and he is sending the healthy message to accept these problems with the determination to work through it. This is a song that makes me want to dance, but has a much deeper meaning to it. 

I also like Heavydirtysoul because the words seem to resonate with me. A lot of their songs are realistic and go into real issues with a positive sound. It makes you think deeper. Here are a list of the songs with some of the lyrics that mean something to me:

• Lane Boy - "Don't trust the perfect person"
• The Judge - "Best friends with my doubt"
• Doubt - "Shaking hands with the dark parts of my thoughts" and "Scared of my own image" all describe dealing with depression and anxiety perfectly
• We Don't Believe What's On TV - "Learnt to kill our dreams" 
• Message Man - This makes me smile before it begins and has meaningful lyrics such as "you don't know my brain" and "release me from the present."
• Goner reminds me of the perfect song to listen to going through a break up or something.

Rating: 10/10

I can't fault this album at all! I've listened to it non-stop for like two weeks and even went to bed listening to it. This is the kind of album you listen to until the end, and then repeat because you love it so much! I think I haven't been in love with an album like this since I was at high school.

Since listening to Blurryface, it has encouraged me to listen to more of their music. So far my favourites off the album are Heathens and Car Radio, which are part of their new album, Suicide Squad (great since Blurryface only came out in May). I hope that sometime soon I will see them live, I just need to find someone to go with...