2015 READING CHALLENGE: JANUARY ROUND-UP

I'm doing a reading challenge this year, my aim is read 30 books, and I thought It'd be an idea to share a kind of summary of how I'm doing with that at the end of each month.

For those who do not know, there's a website called Goodreads where you can document the books you have read, are currently reading, or would like to read. It's basically a Facebook-type website for books. I'm in love with Goodreads, I discovered it in November 2014. Every year Goodreads opens up a reading challenge where you can set your own personal goal for how many books you want to read during the year. You can set your challenge at any point after January 1st, even all the way up to December 31st if you are so inclined. Goodreads shows you a list of all the books you have read so far during that year and tells you the percentage you are through your challenge. And that is the nub and gist of it all.

Like I said, my aim is to read 30 books (including plays, poetry books, graphic novels, etc.) and so far I am 7 books in, meaning I have completed 23% of my challenge. Which I think is pretty damn good as I am way over schedule. 

Books Read in January:

1. 'The Virgin Suicides'- Jeffrey Eugenides

There's a massive cult following behind this book, it's been claimed to be one of the best modern books, a classic, many people's favourite book, there's a movie made of it. While I thought it was good and enjoyed it a lot, I will controversially say that it's not one of the best books I've ever read. I'd recommend it to a friend, but I wouldn't class it as one of my favourites. It's a good read though and I did enjoy it. 

2. 'The Scorch Trials'- James Dashner

It's no secret that, since 'The Maze Runner' movie came out, I have gone full-blown into the Maze Runner fandom (yes I watched the movie first, yes I am a hypocrite, yes I dislike myself for watching it first). I dislike the word 'fandom' but there's no denying it, I haven't felt this way about a book series for quite a while I just love it with all my heart. 'The Scorch Trials' is the second book in the series and it's fantastic. I cannot express my love for the series enough. 

3. 'Henry IV Part II'- William Shakespeare

I really love Shakespeare but I do find that I have to watch the plays before I read them as it helps with understanding the language and what's going on. I saw and read Henry IV Part I in the summer, and my Father and I went to see Part II in early January as part of our Christmas present. The play is brilliant and I definitely think Shakespeare's history plays are my favourite over all the different genres he has written.

4. 'The Death Cure'- James Dashner
The final book in the Maze Runner series. And it has ruined my life. I am never going to be happy again. It's the most heartbreaking thing I've ever read but dear God it is incredible. Possibly my all-time favourite book series ever.

5. 'It'- Alexa Chung
Many people have said that this book is like a Tumblr or like a conversation with Alexa Chung, and they were not lying. You could probably read this book in one sitting, but it's also one of those great books that you can dip in and out of whilst reading something else at the same time. I really enjoyed it, though it could've had more words, and it has reinforced my desire to be Alexa Chung. Please.

6. 'Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief'- Rick Riordan
Another new favourite series of mine, Percy Jackson has rekindled my love for Greek mythology. This is the first book in the series (there's five in total) and it's just so so so good, despite being written for young boys. Rick Riordan is a certifiable genius- his knowledge of Greek mythology is incredible and it's amazing the way he has so seamlessly blended it into modern day America. My Dad is obsessed with the series, that's how good it is.

7. 'Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters'- Rick Riordan
There's no way I couldn't read just one Percy Jackson book this month is there? January seems to be a month of reading two books in a series one-after-the-other. I have no regrets. A brilliant continuation to the series and I am excited to read the rest of the books, the cliffhanger at the end was mad. 

A NEW WAY OF FAVOURITES

I'm thinking about maybe trying out a new 'Favourites' thing. Instead of making a big long list (though I might still make those occassionally), I might write a teeny little list every month, split into important headings, like so:

What I used 

What I wore

What I read

What I watched

What I listened to

What I ate

This is something that I am going to aim to do each month, and it's not the only monthly blog post that I am going to do. Watch this space.

IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO MATCH YOUR LIPS AND NAILS?

Yes. I do believe it is.

But colour choice should be well planned. Par example, I would personally not wear red lips with red nails as I feel it would be a bit too much (though I juxtapose myself on 'bit too much' later*), but each to their own.

The colours I would choose to match lips and nails with are berry, nude and black (*can black and black be considered a 'bit too much'?). Obviously berry and berry works, being the classic Autumn/Winter combo; and nude and nude works for a classic, sophisticated, and also 90's look. Personally I think black and black would look good together, though you do have to be quite brave to whip it out at any other time than Halloween.

As I am yet to find the right shade of nude lipstick to suit my face, I will discuss the berries. When matching lips and nails, I quite like the shades of be almost identical. My almost-identical shades here are an Accessorize lipstick in 'Infatuated', and an Essie nail varnish in 'Bahama Mama'.

I find it really difficult to photograph lipstick, but the bullet colour is basically exactly the same as the colour on the label 

Essie 'Bahama Mama'

'Infatuated' was my first ever lipstick and it's so beautiful, I am pleasantly surprised by Accessorize's makeup range (they also do good nail varnishes). Being a non-matte lipstick, it can get quite messy, and I would recommend not eating whilst wearing it. 'Bahama Mama' was on my wishlist for about a year and it does not disappoint. It's the perfect berry shade, and the quality of Essie nail varnishes is brilliant. The two products are basically the same shade, which I love.

Accessorize lipstick- Around £5.49 (Superdrug)
Essie nail varnish- £7.99 (Boots or Superdrug)

A NEW YEARS PLAYLIST

It's only fitting to have a new playlist post to discuss the music that has brought me into 2015.

30 Minute Break- The Luka State
The Luka State are a band I hadn't heard of until recently but they definitely need more recognition. This song is fantastic and the video is absolutely amazing. I'm in love.

You've Got Time- Regina Spektor
It's the theme song for 'Orange is the New Black' and it's so amazing. I like to cry to this song.

Follow Your Arrow- Kacey Musgraves
An unknown fact about me is how much I really, truly love country music. Kacey Musgraves is a new discovery for my family and we love love love her. 'Follow your Arrow' is such an incredible song, I've had it on repeat for over two weeks now and I challenge anyone to not want to sing along.

Next Year- Two Door Cinema Club
These next few songs are from a mixed CD that my best friend made me for Christmas (never underestimate these as gifts even in modern times- it's one of the most important things I own), the majority of these bands are ones I'd never properly listened to before. Basics this song is amazing and it's the perfect song to dance to and I love it.

Breezeblocks- Alt J
It's impossible to understand the lyrics to this song but I love it nonetheless. There's not all that much I can say about it apart from it's great. And I am awful at talking about music.

Daniel in the Den- Bastille 
I'm not totally 'there' with modern music, I prefer older stuff or stuff that's not big on the mainstream chart so I'm only making assumptions here. As I've heard nothing about this, I am assuming that it's one of Bastille's lesser-known songs, but holy cow if it is it needs more recognition. EVERYONE needs to know about it because it's incredible and wow.

Left the Broken- Bethan Leadley 
I'm not going to lie, my love for this song surprised me. Bethan Leadley is a Youtuber (more commonly known as 'Musical Bethan') that I watched a lot aged fourteen (I'm seventeen now) but I hadn't thought about for quite a while. There's no denying that she's not incredibly talented and I am well and truly in love with this song.

HELLO 2015

Hello there and welcome 2015.

I thought I'd start with a round-up of 2014 like everyone else. In terms of resolutions I really stuck to my reading one and rekindled by love of books, which I'm really pleased about. It wasn't one of my 2014 resolutions, but I did a lot of new things in 2014 that the idea of terrified me, but have all worked out for the best and I feel really happy about them all.

I had the best three weeks of the past two years at the start of December. We had a rocky end to 2014 from Christmas Eve onwards and a rocky start to 2015, but that's (hopefully) done and dusted and all in the past.

There are a lot of things to look forward to in 2015, my Great Uncle is appearing on TV later in this month which we're all really excited about, and I start my university application at the end of this year (a year later than I was supposed to but ho hum what're you gonna do).

My New Years Resolutions for 2015 are as follows:

Wear less nail varnish
My nails aren't in that great condition and I want to give them a break.

Read 30 books
I probably read that many last year but I like keeping track of things.

Write one line a day
I really love this concept. You write one line every day in a journal and you can do it for multiple years to compare what you were doing on that day each year.

Exercise more
This was a resolution that I didn't stick to last year. I want to exercise more to become fitter, healthier and to tone up.

Make more of an effort to see friends
Because when I see them I realise how much I've missed them and I need to be the one to make the effort instead of relying on them.

Expand on blog content
I'd like to change up my blog content a bit and many write more on things such as books, music and films (maybe), as well as what I'd previously been writing.

Pass my driving test
I had a break from my driving because I really, really hate it, but it's something I need to do.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I hope everybody had a good News Years Eve and I wish you all the best for 2015. Here's my simple, smart-casual, conveniently themed outfit and makeup of last night.

Outfit:
I went for the simple blue and black theme this year, pairing the Topshop top below (see picture) with black high-waisted jeans (Topshop Jamie jeans), a leather jacket and black Dr Martens boots. It's basic but it works so damn well.

Makeup:
For eye makeup I went with one of my all-time favourite eyeshadows from the Sleek 'Oh So Special' palette, named 'Organza'. 'Organza' is the most beautiful shimmery copper colour that is, again, so simple but so effective. I really, really love this shade. Having blue eyes, more orangey colours are meant to make the blue in your eyes stand out more.

For lipstick I went for the classic, matte, berry of Topshop's 'Beguiled'. Everyone knows my love of berry coloured lips and nails, and it's a beautiful look that I've found is no where near as high maintainance as red lipstick. Plus mattes are always easier to work with.

Nails:
In sticking with the black abd blue theme, I've gone with a nail varnish by 'Seventeen' called 'Navy Glint'. This also has glitter in it which I've really been loving recently and it's such a beautiful nail varnish.