30 December 2010

30/12/2010

- I actually have New Year plan's now. Going to the local and then to my friend's family party. Not very wild but much better than sitting in with my parents being depressed. One problem is although we've been told that the pub is free entry I'm positive I've heard things being said about tickets but I'm hoping this isn't the case.
- Going shopping tomorrow and hoping it will be more successful than Tuesday's trip which was horrendous. The sales are pretty poor and I wish that it was just normal stuff being sold. I've decided I'm not spending too much as I don't want to waste my money (as I often do)
- I'm having a relaxing night in bed with films and ferrero rocher's which are addictive. That is one of the things I hate about Christmas, too much chocolate gets bought and it feels wasteful if you don't eat it. After it's all gone I'm buying one of the Kinect exercise games and getting in shape.
- I have 10 bottles of wine/sparkling cocktails to choose from for tomorrow night but I'm incredibly indecisive so I can see myself turning up looking like an alcoholic which should be interesting. I'm really hoping this is the best New Year so far as I'm actually with the large majority of my friends...unlike previous years where it's been the odd one or two at a party I never wanted to be at.
- If I don't get to blog tomorrow Happy New Year! I hope 2011 is good for you all!

I Love You Beth Cooper - Larry Doyle

The hilarious first novel from Simpsons writer Larry Doyle.
For a straight A student, Denis still has a lot to learn...
Denis Cooverman wants to say something really important in his high school graduation speech. So, in front of 512 classmates and their 3000 relatives, he announces: 'I love you, Beth Cooper.'
It should have been such a sweet, romantic moment. Except that Beth, the school's head cheerleader, has only the vaguest idea who Denis is. And Denis, the captain of the debate team, is so not in her league that he is barely even of the same species. And then there's Kevin, Beth's remarkably large boyfriend, who's in town on leave from the US Army...

I came across this book in a charity shop and after seeing the film, which I loved, I knew I had to read it. I was never aware that the film was the adaptation of a book and was pleasantly surprised to find them both following the exact same story as with most adaptations there are as lot of changes. This isn't my usual sort of book but I loved it. It was funny and made me laugh as well as being able to empathise with Denis. The one difference from the film is that Denis is painted as an incredibly vile looking person, to be fair in the film he isn't a looker but compared to how Doyle portrays him he could be a model.
The main thing I love in this story is how ballsy Denis is, I know from seeing people similar to him at school that they're normally shy and withdrawn and would never announce that they love the head cheerleader in front of a large crowd. Nor would they take on her army boyfriend which I think adds to the excellence of this story as Denis seems almost to be a superhero.
I would definitely recommend the book and the film and I am looking forward to seeing if Doyle will release another novel as I've begun to branch out from my usual chick lit.

29 December 2010

29/12/2010

- It's official, I have nothing to do on New Years Eve. I'm hoping my Sex & The City boxset will have arrived so I can watch that with a bottle of wine or two. I don't know what I'll do if it hasn't come. Probably sleep. It's hard to believe I'm only 18. Every year NYE has got worse but this is definitely an all time low. I hope something gets sorted but it's not likely at all.
- I was going to watch a film tonight but the sky remote appears to have broken so I've left it and come to bed. Hopefully will get my book finished and start working my way through the ever increasing (slightly unstable) pile by the side of my bed. I can't help but buy more yet I seem to be reading less. Maybe I could read a book on NYE.
- I keep having the intention to do good thing like revision and cleaning my room but neither has happened so far. I realise my room has got as bad as it can. My floor is covered in bits of bubble wrap so it is constantly popping when I'm walking across my floor (which is more like a sea of clothes but never mind). The realisation of how close my exams are hit me today, the first being two weeks today and I am nowhere near prepared for them. However another realisation has hit me that this place is incredibly depressing so I have to get into university so I can leave! I think the next 9 months will be bad enough, let alone forever. Once I'm out I'm only returning for visits.

27 December 2010

27/12/2010

- Spent most of the day yesterday playing on my brother Kinect for Xbox. I was quite impressed although the Kinect Adventures game that came with it becomes a bit monotonous after a while as there are only 4 activities to do. I have to admit some of the other games such as the dance one look excellent so I may have to purchase if he'll let me borrow the Kinect. I woke up today feeling quite sore from spending so much time on it so it must be working your body harder than you realise.
- Last night we went to the pub and realised the pub quiz was on. Normally we cheat and lose but this time we didn't cheat at all and we ended up winning. The prize was 8 free drinks and as some people got halves we got extra drinks so we got a round of tequila in too. One thing I've decided I don't like is buying rounds. It sounds tight but you feel like you have to keep up with everyone and I always get slightly more expensive drinks so I feel bad when other people are buying them. I'm happy to just buy my own when I want it so I don't feel rushed or like I'm waiting.
- I think I'm finally off sale shopping tomorrow which is exciting! I don't want to spend all of my Christmas money but if I see some bargains I won't be able to resist. I really need some new slippers so I hope I find some. If Boots has some good gift sets in I may have to buy some as you can get some good bargains and use them for presents in the future. I would quite like a new bag too although I'm not desperate for one so I won't be upset if I don't find one. I'm tempting to go shopping into town on Wednesday as I'm only off to a shopping centre tomorrow where the shops aren't that big.
- New Years Eve is looming and we still have nothing finalised. Many people have briefly mentioned that they could have a party but then have said nothing else about it. I wouldn't mind but people aren't going to end up doing anything if it gets left to the last minute which will be incredibly annoying as I am not staying in as ridiculous as that sounds.

25 December 2010

25/12/2010

- I used to think that Christmas was over rated but I'm beginning to think that's just because I have a rubbish one every year. I spent today with my parents and grandparents and I was the only one drinking anything. All my friends seem to have good boozy Christmas's with all their extended family which is why they all enjoy it. We sat watching TV all day and talking. Talk about snooze fest. It didn't help that I knew all the things I was getting so I didn't get any surprises.
- One problem with today is that it really doesn't feel like Christmas. I don't know whether it's because I'm getting older or just because it's not Christmassy anymore. I was slightly annoyed that my Nanna buys Christmas crackers for my cousins and I'm not allowed any...this is why it is shit!
- It's becoming very tempting to attempt the sales tomorrow but seeing as it is boxing day it might be a bit too busy for my liking. I just want to look before all the good stuff goes, although if I'm being honest there isn't a right lot that I actually want. I might have a look on some websites and see if there's anything I can buy in the sales off the internet to avoid entering shops until it calms down a bit.
- It's bad that I'm in bed by myself blogging on Christmas day...this is really making me hope that I find something to do at New Year because I'm not wanting to spend another holiday like this.

24/12/2010

- Even though it's technically the 25th now I know that I will want blog about Christmas day so let's pretend it's still Christmas eve.
- I received my first university offer today and it's for the university I really want to go to - Kingston. My offer is for 280 points which is extremely pleasing as I already have 240 points...plus as my coursework is getting resubmitted (hopefully) for media I technically have 260 already which takes the pressure off me immensely for my Psychology. However I'm not going to let myself sack it off as it would be better to get higher than what I need just so I aren't panicking.
- I decided this morning that I don't like the ASOS jacket I ordered and I am sending it back. Me and my mum went last minute Christmas shopping today and as some of the sales had already started I found a much nicer jacket from Evans for the same price as the ASOS one. It's fleece/fur lined and is so cosy! Definitely my best purchase of the season.
- I'm not really that excited for Christmas...probably because I know everything I'm getting as I chose it all. The one thing I'm looking forward to is my Nanna's Christmas dinner as it is absolutely gorgeous! I could eat it every day!
- Seeing as we're not going to my Grandparents until 2pm tomorrow I will get a few hours of watching my favourite program - Monkey Life (on Animal Planet) as it is on for 24 hours (6am - 6am) which has pleased me. I don't know why I'm so obsessed with it but I could watch it 24/7.
- My dad has brought so much wine home that people have bought him as a tip, apart from the red wine (how disgusting) I have claimed the rest of it and I now have a full shelf in my room for my bottles. It doesn't help that I have bought some of these amazing cocktail fizzy drinks from M&S - Mojito Fizz, Cosmopolitan Fizz and Peach Belini Fizz (I'm unsure of if I've spelt that right) as well as getting some sparkling wine on the 3 for 2 offer in Boots (can't blame me as it was the free gift...plus it came in a sparkly case).

23 December 2010

23/12/2010

- I've woken up feeling more ill than I usually do. Headache, sore throat and stomach ache - not good!
- I'm going to spend my time today reading one of my new books as well as possibly doing some revision which I appear to have abandoned after doing one day of it. I'm going to scare myself into doing it seeing as my exam is less than 3 weeks away and I've only learnt half of the stuff I need for it. Not good at all!
- Had another search for cottages for mine and my friend's break. It has been quite successful and I have found an extremely cheap and nice cottage. It has some major plus points..both of the bedrooms are twins so we all have our own bed. It's next door to a pub. Has two car parking spaces in case two of my friends want to drive. I have to say it is perfect for what we want it for!







22 December 2010

Online Shopping

I'm beginning to think that I should be banned from online shopping. I realise that it is a problem when I visit ASOS at least once a day in order to check out the new arrivals on the off chance that there might be something I need. However I never need any of the items I buy, I just fall in love with them that much that I trick myself into believing that I do need them.
Every week I have numerous deliveries, quite often with the ASOS stuff I do send it back unless I'm completely in love with it. I think the whole buzz of hitting order and then new things arriving makes this all worth while. Sometimes I don't even realise that I've ordered until I receive my confirmation email.
One thing I can say is that I don't waste my money and to say that I don't have a job I seem to have a lot to show for the little money I get.
Although it is still internet shopping I have found the Oxfam online shop and I have already placed two items in my basket...but it's okay because they're cheap and it's for a good cause so it's definitely worthwhile. I'm going to have a good hunt on there before I confirm my order. I might as well get as much as I can in one go as it may actually stop me ordering more in the future. One problem is that my bank card is downstairs, and I'm nice and cosy in bed...I'm quite annoyed there's nobody downstairs that I could shout to pass me it. Lazy I know.

22/12/2010

- I went to visit my mums side of the family again today. I have to admit I only went because the charity shops round there always have such good books in for cheap prices that I couldn't miss out. I was right to go for this reason as I have returned with another 5 books (I did find more but I was on a budget so I couldn't splash out). The pile of my books that I have yet to read is mounting up and is nearly as high as the top of my bed, at least I'll keep occupied when I'm bored.
- Found out today that my friend has bought me a Christmas present...which means I'm going to have rush out before seeing him tomorrow in order to buy him something in return which is quite annoying. At least it means that I receive another present (yes that sounds greedy but I do enjoy receiving).
- It's my friends 19th birthday party tomorrow which I'm dreading, her 18th last year was dire and I have a feeling that this one will be even worse. At least it's only around the corner so I can make my excuses and leave if need be. One of the only reasons I think it'll be bad is that her boyfriends mates will be there and at a previous party they didn't give the impression that they were nice people.
- My jacket (which I only ordered yesterday with standard delivery) arrived today...I can't work out if I like it or not. It seems okay with some outfits but then with others it makes my body look short and weird. I have seen a similar one in Evans which I'm going to look at when I go last minute shopping on Friday. I'm hoping it'll be a bit longer and won't look as strange as I love the style of the jacket and it's so cosy.
- Every day I hope some New Years plans will come up, but as of yet nothing is planned. It's a bit annoying as I know pretty much everyone has a back up plan with their other halves/family apart from me. I will be extremely pissed off if I'm stuck in as that is extremely sad.

21 December 2010

21/12/2010

- I've been debating over a jacket on ASOS for quite a while. From when it was full price at £65...to yesterday when it was reduced to £45. After noticing other jackets and coats had been reduced and then put back up to full price I knew I had to buy it. Unfortunately even after deducting student discount and my gift voucher I still didn't have enough so I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was reduced to £32;50 today. I'm actually glad that I had my low bank balance yesterday...which was luckily just enough to order it today. I'm not really sure i the jacket will suit me but I might as well get it to try. I'm a bit annoyed that ASOS aren't offering next day delivery at the moment due to weather conditions as I would have liked to have it in time for Christmas but hopefully I should have it for NYE.

-Decided that I'm definitely going to have a word with my brother about his gambling if he's in when I get home. If he doesn't listen then once again I'm going to have to tell my parents. I don't think he understands that he's stuck in a vicious cycle.

Unsure...

I really don't know what to do. My brothers gambling problem is getting worse...but I feel like I can't say anything as he'll know I've been checking his bank account. This sounds bad but I haven't hacked into it...he gave me the details a while ago and I hung onto them because I knew he'd end up getting himself in this sort of trouble. He's not gambled all weekend whilst his girlfriend was here but as soon as she's gone home and he's met up with his mate (who's on the dole - says it all) he's back to his old ways.
Seeing as he was already over his overdraft he decided to open the card containing money from his girlfriends parents. Bearing in mind this was supposed to be for Christmas...and guess what it went in the bookies. I didn't mind this as he actually appears to have won £230 so that took him into his arranged overdraft...seeing as he was £200 over his arranged before.
He's just arrived home in what sounded like a paralytic state (I heard him fall down the stairs) but I couldn't be bothered going to talk to him when he's like this. However I decided to have another look at his bank account...and I wasn't surprised to see money going out to William Hill taking him back over his overdraft limit. I wouldn't mind but he owes my parents lots of money from them bailing him out. He hasn't bought any Christmas presents, and he was given money from my grandparents to buy some clothes for his Christmas present and he bought a £10 top and used the rest of it in the bookies. I've had enough.
It doesn't help that my mums a push over when it comes to him as she doesn't like how confrontational he gets. Shame my parents aren't talking because then maybe my dad would know all this and be able to sort it out. It's getting worse and I feel I'm going to have to be the one to say something and just let him get angry. I'm fed up of his selfish ways. The gambling has turned him into an awful person and he's managing to push everyone away with his pathetic behaviour.

20 December 2010

Cottages

As I mentioned in my previous post I'm looking for a cottage holiday with friends. After ruling out Ireland every single nice cottage I find seems to be in Ireland which is extremely frustrating for me. There are some nice big cottages/houses but they would be far too expensive for just 3 of us so unless we can get a couple more people to come we might have to go in somewhere a bit pokey and small. However this isn't really bothering me, as long as we find somewhere and have a good time that's all that matters.
I've found a few nice small places already so I'll update tomorrow and show you all them.

20/12/2010

-I had a fabulous time last night. Two of my friends have returned from University so a few of us met up for drinks and a shisha. I have two new favourite drinks - Cranberry and Amaretto/ Cranberry and Vodka. YUM. The shisha place we usually go to has stopped serving shisha so we had to go to another place which I actually really loved. At first it was a bit busy and noisy but after an hour it had calmed down and was nice.
Anyway 3 us got talking after the others had left and decided that in the summer we would like to find a nice rural and pretty cottage to rent somewhere and go stay there for a week or so. Our initial thought was Ireland...just because Irish men are nice but alas the ferry prices were far too dear which is very annoying. So we're on the hunt for a new place, and I feel I'll be updating this blog with all the pretty cottages I find. This is a great alternative to a holiday abroad seeing as we are all rather poor at the moment. Now we're looking for one in England it'll be even cheaper. We'll only have to pay for petrol, the cottage, food and beer without the cost of the ferry from Ireland.
I'm really excited for it and I'm really hoping it actually happens. It should do as we're all eager to do it, I just hope nobody else tries to get involved because that's when things don't happen. A few months ago we were all supposed to be booking to go to Amsterdam for a few days and that didn't happen which disappointed me.
- I suppose I better do a bit more revision today, I'm lacking the motivation...I wish one of my universities would give me an offer already and then that might actually motivate me a bit.
- I spent all day on Saturday tidying my room, and it is already a mess again. I wouldn't mind but I haven't made the mess...it's other people dumping stuff in my room (okay I may have left it lying around the house but still they shouldn't just dump it)

18 December 2010

17/12/2010

- Surprisingly I have done quite a bit of Psychology revision today, maybe if I keep this up throughout the holidays then I have a chance in hell for passing the exams.
- The rest of the day was spent wrapping presents, pretty much everything I wrapped was awkward shaped which was really difficult to make look good.
- All over my Facebook people have been calling today "Mad Friday" and making out like it's amazing. I'd rather go out a different day in order to actually myself instead of being crammed up in some club that's packed full of idiots. Why is the Friday before Christmas so amazing anyway? Technically next Friday is the Friday before Christmas so I don't see the big deal.
- It's two weeks until New Years Eve and still nothing has been planned. Quite annoying seeing as most years there are at least a few options to consider and this year there are none. Not really understanding it. I would consider going to town but taxi fares, entry tickets and drinks prices are all going to be ridiculously expensive so it wouldn't be too kind on my bank balance and I don't fancy spending all my Christmas money on one night. I'm hoping some sort of house party comes up just so I can have a cheap night...and only have to pay for something to drink and a taxi home (unless it's in walking distance which is even better).
- We got this new thing for Sky today for free because we have Sky Broadband and HD. It's called Sky Anytime+ and is basically a big library of films and other various programmes all available to download. The things take quite a while to download but seeing as it's free I can't really complain. At least I have something to occupy myself with during these BORING holidays.
- I've hardly read anything lately which is why I have had a lack of book reviews, I may have to stick to film and TV reviews seeing as I seem to be clue to the TV these days. Damn having so many films sky+'d.

16 December 2010

16/12/2010

-Finally had my last day of sixth form today before my 3 week Christmas holiday. I have to say it was the worst last day I have ever had. My double lesson of Psychology consisted of revision and a mock exam. At the end of each term we have what is called "Celebration Assembly", which in sixth form normally is just games and awards. The past two years we've had pass the parcel and other novelty games. However this year they decided to have a quiz...I wouldn't mind if everyone could take part but there were only 8 people involved which just seemed annoyingly boring to me.
-I have spent most of my evening trawling the Boots 3 for 2 offers to find Christmas presents for my brother, his girlfriend and myself. Being signed up to the Money Saving Expert emails I found myself wanting to purchase the Soap&Glory set pictured below, which from tomorrow is being reduced from £60 to £25 which is an absolute bargain for what it contains. At the full price it is in the 3 for 2 offer but I'm confused as to whether it still will be at the reduced price, I'm hoping it is because then I can buy that, my brothers girlfriends present and get a freebie for myself.
- I received an early Christmas present today which was lovely. My brothers girlfriend has got me an ASOS voucher which I think is extremely thoughtful as I'm always ordering stuff from there. With my current lack of funds this will enable me to still purchase new items which is great.
- I did manage to find a present I wanted to buy my brother which was a Leeds Rhinos book as he is a huge supporter. However the book is only available from the official website and with the cheapest postage option being £5 with no guarantee it'll arrive for Christmas I decided to give it a miss and hope that the store in town will have it.
- Tomorrow I'm going to have an extremely boring day consisting of wrapping presents and writing Christmas cards. I may also be going to a gig in the evening which should be good as I haven't been to one in a while as they're not my sort of thing anymore.
- Finally, I phoned up Orange to arrange my number transfer which isn't happening until Monday, which is extremely annoying as I am without a working number until then unless I give everyone a temporary number which isn't worth the hassle. This just means that if people try to contact me then they can't unless they use BBM or Facebook to do so. Oh well at least I don't have to think of excuses if somebody invites me somewhere I don't want to go.

15 December 2010

15/12/2010

- I realise this is going to sound very scrooge-like of me but I'm really not in the mood for Christmas. The fact that all my friends are home from university is a plus but my lack of money will stop me doing anything at all. If I get money for Christmas I don't really want to waste it all during these holidays as it will have to last me a long time. I'd be feeling more positive too if we'd actually got something planned for New Years Eve but nothing is planned at all which is a bummer.
- My Legally Blonde boxset came today and I watched the first one. I'm actually disappointed with myself that I'd never seen it as I absolutely loved it, can't wait to watch the second one but I think I'm going to leave that for the holidays when I'm extremely bored.
- I have a Psychology mock exam in the morning and I'm nowhere near prepared for it, I did quite a bit of revision at school today but that only covered one out of the three topics I'm doing. Originally I planned to do some more work when I got home at 2pm. Then I saw my boxset had arrived and couldn't stop myself. It's now 8pm and I still haven't started, I really need to get my arse into gear.
- Right now Gossip Girl should be on, but ITV2 doesn't have it on for some reason which has upset me greatly. I find it difficult enough to go a week without watching it let alone any longer...I'm praying that it's back on next week.
- Apparently the snow is returning tomorrow, I'm praying that the weather forecast is wrong. Snow is the one thing I can't cope with, I get too scared on the ice and think I'm going to fall and I just generally hate the cold. If it's light snow that barely settles then it's fine because it looks quite pretty but once it starts causing disruptions then it's too much. My one pet hate is when the snow turns into brown slush... it's just VILE.
- My UCAS has been processed and I have received acknowledgements of my application from 2 of my 5 universities. I'm really hoping I get an offer or two before Christmas just to cheer me up a bit. Being at home whilst the majority of my friends are at university has made me even more motivated to go and I'm counting down the months until September.
- Just remembered that tomorrow I can change over my old number to my new phone and send my old Blackberry to one of those mobile recycling places and get £97 for it. I'm hoping the money comes quick as I'm getting desperate, although I can't remember whether I chose to get a check or have it paid straight into my account. I'm hoping it was the paid straight into the account as I will get the money a lot quicker than with a cheque. Last time I didn't get the money until two weeks after posting my phone due to waiting for the cheque and then having to visit my bank. This time it would take much longer due to Christmas and the bad weather delaying things.

14 December 2010

14/12/2010

-So Harry Potter was good, not half as good as the book though although I'm sure Part 2 will be more exciting as the last part of the book is the best. It seemed really weird not to have Dumbledore and them not being at Hogwarts.
- I am really annoyed at how my mum seems unable to text me back. She said I could order some cheap perfume for Christmas so I don't use all my Viva La Juicy. I noticed that ASOS had a big sale on their fragrance sets and found Davidoff Cool Water Wave 100ml gift set for less than £20. Unfortunately I can't even afford that out of my account and as I have my mums card number saved I just needed her security code. She didn't reply and instead phoned me halfway through Harry Potter (a good few hours after I text her) which I couldn't answer. I have just returned home and checked the website and the gift set has sold out along with all the other decent stuff. Yet all she says is "oh"...silly woman
- I only have two days left of sixth form, then a couple of week off. I can't wait, getting up early 3 times a week is far too much for me to cope with, I'm constantly tired all the time. The only thing worrying me is that the week we return to school is when the exams start (I think) and I'm nowhere near prepared for them. I seriously need to sit down and sort out some form of revision for me to do over the next few weeks.

13 December 2010

13/12/2010

-I really want a large aluminium makeup case similar to the picture below. All the ones I have found within a decent price range (under £25) are all really small or don't have compartments which isn't very ideal. If anybody knows where I can buy one please let me know.
















-I'm very excited, I'm finally going to see Harry Potter tomorrow...after weeks of waiting. Prepare for a long blog about it tomorrow or the day after!
-My UCAS form FINALLY got sent off today, so hopefully the offers will begin to pour in soon (I'm very impatient so I'm hoping it'll be sooner rather than later).
-I bought a really nice cardigan today from Evans (pictured here). The picture doesn't make it look that nice but I really like it when it's on and it is SO comfy! I was really hoping my belt from ASOS would have arrived to wear around it but I'm still waiting on it, damn Royal Mail.
-I've decided that every couple of weeks I'm going to buy myself a new clothing item, allowing myself money to save but still treating myself. This will help me with my wardrobe issues (I feel like I wear the same thing all the time) as well as not going overboard with my spending. The one thing I need to stop is buying going out clothes, I have so many going out clothes that have only been worn once yet I still buy more.

10 December 2010

Legally Blonde - Amanda Brown

Elle Wood, University of Southern California sorority president and sociopolitical jewelry design major, is blonde, spoiled, creative and desperately in love with her college sweetheart, Warner Huntingdon III. But when Warner announces he's off to Stanford Law School, and that while there he aims to find a girl 'more serious' than Elle to be his wife, Elle and Underdog, her pet Bichon Frise, hatch a plan to follow him so that he will marry her like he's supposed to do. Elle's Stanford misadventures are distinctly unpromising from the outset, and it seems that the one place where blondes definitely don't have more fun is law school. But then she's made an intern on the Murder of Malibu case, defending one-time fitness queen and apricot blonde Brooke Vandermark from the charge of murdering her billionaire husband. In a courtroom triumph, Elle vindicates Brooke and all who are blonde at heart with a tip any Cosmo girl should know.


I didn't know what to expect from this as I haven't actually seen the film apart from the odd clip and I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unable to put it down I read it in less than a day which to me means that it is definitely a good book. I instantly became fond of Elle's character and felt empathetic towards her on several occasions. Towards the end of the novel I also began to like Sarah (Elle's rival) when she began to be nice to Elle. The tactics Elle uses to get Brooke off of her murder charge were fantastic, there's only a lawyer like Elle that would be able to use that sort of information to get somebody off of a serious crime. 
The way in which Brown wrote this book added to it's excellence, with the very short chapters making it easy to read without getting boring. At first I wasn't convinced by this technique but towards the end I realised it was working very well and the chapter's were telling us all we need to know without dragging on. 
As I enjoyed the book so much I am about to purchase the films as if they are anywhere near as good they'll be a winner. I'm definitely going to add some more Amanda Brown to my reading lists. 

The Fabulously Fashionable Life of Isabel Bookbinder - Holly McQueen

When aspiring designer Isabel Bookbinder bags a job with Nancy ‘Fashion Aristocracy’ Tavistock, she’s sure her career is finally on track. Dazzlingly glamorous, this is a career that she can feel truly passionate about – after all, she knows her Geiger from her Louboutin, her Primark from her Prada, and she’s always poring over fashion magazines. Well, ok, the fashion pages of heat. So, learning from the very best, the future’s looking bright for Isabel Bookbinder: Top International Fashion Designer. Within days she’s putting the final touches to her debut collection, has dreamt up a perfume line, Isabelissimo, and is very nearly a friend of John Galliano. And on top of that she might even have fallen in love. Yet nothing ever runs smoothly for Isabel, and fabulously fashionably as her life is, it soon seems to be spiralling a little out of her control …


I found this a bit similar to the previous Isabel Bookbinder instalment in that it seemed to be following the lead from Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series. Also it was once again, difficult to get into, and I actually felt forced to finish it. One of the thoroughly worst books I've ever read which isn't too difficult to achieve as I do enjoy most books I read. I have to admit that I felt a bit of empathy towards Isabel when I realised what Ben was doing but she shouldn't have really jumped to conclusions about Will. 
This is a bit of a poor review, due to how poor the book is. I wouldn't recommend reading it.

7 December 2010

07/12/2010

When you have no job and have to live off £25 a week in the run up to Christmas it is an extremely bad idea to even consider internet shopping. I'm unable to say why I actually torture myself by looking at things I can't afford but it has led me to find a million and one things I want from ELF (www.eyeslipsface.co.uk) Here are some of them:
All their lashes are £1.50 apart from their "flirty" ones which cost £3. These are absolute bargains! In Boots they're all mainly dearer than this which makes these a product not to miss.

I've seen similar products in magazines, mainly at a higher price. If it does what it says on the website then it's a miracle product and one which I really want to try.

I honestly thought this was going to be a book about beauty so I wasn't holding out much hope. In reality it looks a fantastic product and I really want the everyday eye (pictured above) as it features the colours I tend to wear on my eyes as well as others which would work well with my existing colours.

This is one of them products that when I first heard of I instantly thought "what is the point". But then I looked at my shiny nails and realised that quite often the colour of the nail polish I wear would look so much better matte. I considered trying it but with the only one I'd seen in the shops being No7, I decided against it due to the high price. £1.50 to test a product out is a bargain, if you don't like it then not  right lot has been wasted. If you love it, EVEN BETTER!

This is a product I already own, but due to it being absolutely amazing I have to mention it. No highlighter has ever worked for me as well as this has. The texture and consistency are just right for this kind of product as it glides onto your face easily but is thick enough to stop it looking dried on and cracking. An absolute winner of a product!

These are just a handful of the products I want to purchase, I'm tempted to ask my mum to buy them and have them as a bit of a stocking filler. I've seen numerous beautiful coloured nail polishes and eyeshadows that I'm tempted to buy too. If I do end up getting these products I will post full product reviews and hopefully they'll live up to their expectations.

6 December 2010

06/12/2010

I seem to have abandoned this blog over the weekend...it wasn't intentional but I've hardly been on my netbook due to me playing around with my Blackberry Torch - which I absolutely love. The combination of the touch screen and keypad give you the best of both worlds and I'd definitely recommend it.
After channel surfing on sky the other day I found a new favourite TV show - Monkey Life. It follows the rescue missions of Dorset's Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre which I think does an excellent job. Some of these monkeys are tortured before they've been rescued, being used to make money for the owners and living in awful conditions. The monkeys seem extremely happy at the centre and they make amusing television. I'd recommend you watch it - it's on NatGeoWild.
I intend to have a productive day today, I have the Christmas tree to decorate, Psychology essay question and past exam paper, my nails to paint and Christmas presents to wrap. I'm having a bit of a chiller and then making a start on my tasks after lunch. 
Writers block seems to be attacking me at the moment so I don't feel my blogging is up to a very good standard, hopefully I'll get some inspiration soon.

3 December 2010

03/12/2010

I'm blogging from my new blackberry torch. It's beautiful and I love it already even though I can only use my wi-fi and don't have a networkconnection at the moment. I'm hopefully getting connected in the next 24 hours, then all I have to do is transfer my numbers over.
Lately I've been unable to sleep, constantly waking up early which is incredibly annoying. This definitely isn't helping my recovery from my cold which I've had for over a week now!
The snow outside is slowly melting now which is good but the temperatures are still plumetting. it's apparently -7 outside today which is one of the reasons I don't fancy leaving the house.

1 December 2010

01/12/2010

I've decided I love the snow after getting sent home 2 hours after arriving at sixth form due to the worsening conditions. Even better is that I have tomorrow off too meaning I've only had two hours of lessons this week. I'm actually going to do some work on my day off tomorrow as I've realised how close exams are and how unprepared for them I am. I took some photos of the snow today:



I'm still continuing my job hunting, although seeing as it's December most Christmas temp positions have gone meaning that the likelihood of me actually finding a job is very slim. 
Seeing as Christmas is looming I am actually forcing myself to choose what I want for Christmas. All my current ideas have gone down the drain but I expect that seeing as I have everything I need.