2015 READING CHALLENGE: SEPTEMBER ROUND-UP

In September I read 5 books and have now completed my goal of reading 50 books in 2015. So far this year I have read 51 books, and I have decided to not raise my 2015 goal anymore, but to just see how many books I can read now. This month I also became a little (a lot) obsessed with Caitlin Moran and non-fiction books by famous females, a trend that you will see continuing into next month.

Books Read:

1. 'Destined for Doon'- Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon
I read the first book in the Doon series a few months ago and I really loved it, so much so that it put me in a reading slump for a good month and a half. I loved the world building of Doon itself in the first book, I had a really clear image of it in my head and I imagine it in such bright and vibrant colours; I wanted to live in Doon. Though I enjoyed this book, it did fall kind of flat for me when compared to how much I enjoyed the first book. I didn't think the story was as good in this one and I didn't like how Kenna was the main narrator in this book. I didn't dislike the voice of Kenna as much as others did, I just much prefer the character and narration of Vee and I prefer her as the main narrator.

2. 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'- J.K. Rowling
I've always said that this is my favourite Harry Potter book, it's so much more detailed and intricate than the film, particularly the Yule Ball, the third task, everything to do with Rita Skeeter and everything to do with the Barty Crouch's. I'm in the process of re-reading all the Harry Potter series and it is delightful, I absolutely love this series and the world and everything to do with it and I'm really, really, really enjoying rediscovering it all again.

3. 'How to Be a Woman'- Caitlin Moran 
This book. Omg. It has changed my life. I've been a fan of Caitlin Moran and her column in the Times for years but I've only just got round to reading her books. It's absolutely incredible, it's a must-read for every single person, men and women alike. It's blown my mind and I'm now a little bit obsessed with Caitlin Moran; she is a God and her word is Bible. I love this book and it is definitely, definitely now one of my all-time favourites.

4. 'Queen of Shadows'- Sarah J. Maas
This is definitely the book of the month on every single social media platform. Very highly anticipated, the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series came out on September 1st to the excitement of the world (more or less). I really loved 'Heir of Fire', the third book, and I thought this book couldn't possibly be better. Oh boy was I wrong. This book was so good, I flew through the nearly-700-pages beast in under a week and it was everything I could've wanted and more. It was incredible and I'm so excited to see where the series is going to go from here.

5. 'Moranthology'- Caitlin Moran 
The minute I finished 'How to Be a Woman' I NEEDED to read Caitlin Moran's other non-fiction book (I read her first novel last year). This one was very different from the other one, it was a collection of some of Moran's columns, but it was still highly enjoyable. Moran is a fantastic writer and I love, love, love her.

MAGNETIC BOOKMARK OBSESSION

Recently I've really got back into using bookmarks when reading. Previously, I'd always found bookmarks to be a bit of a nuisance and I'd always just been able to memorise which page I was on so I didn't actually need to use a bookmark. But all that changed with the discovery of the world of super cute magnetic bookmarks on Etsy. As there's two companies that I bought from, I'm going to be doing a couple of little paragraphs on each.

(As I write this, I've actually found some more magnetic bookmarks that I want from another Etsy store. One is an absolutely beautiful gold and swirly cartoon feather, and the other is the Aries constellation, which is my star sign. Maybe expect another bookmarks post fairly soon...)

Crafted Van
Crafted Van are quite possibly the most popular and well-known company for magnetic bookmarks on Etsy, and for good reason. They have an amazing selection of super cute bookmarks for all tastes, and it took me so long to decide which ones I was going to buy. Crafted Van offer three different bookmark options, all at a fantastic price. They have sets of four or five mini bookmarks (around £4-£6), bigger individual bookmarks (just over £3), and brand new jumbo sized bookmarks.

In the end, though, I decided on the mini nursing themed set of five mini bookmarks. As a future nurse, I simply couldn't resist! My three favourites of the set are the needle, stethoscope and IV drip. Right now I'm usign the drip one in the book I'm currently reading, it's such a strange but brilliant idea, it makes me laugh so much to see a little drip smiling up at me when I open my book.

Just a last couple of things on Crafted Van, firstly I'm really pleased with their shipping, considering that it was coming all the way to the UK from Canada, shipping only cost around £3 and it came within two weeks which was really great. These bookmarks are a really high quality, it's hard to explain but they're like but they're made of card with a glossy, almost sticky finish to it. The card-like-ness to them means that they're so easy to clip onto a book and the sticky, glossy-ness means that they're waterproof, which is always useful. I'm really happy with my purchase and I would highly, highly recommend this company.

Magicbookmarks
The other company I bought from on Etsy is one called Magicbookmarks. This time, I bought a bookmark for myself and one for my brother as well. Where Crafted Van have little cartoon objects like Cacti, animals and cups of tea, among many, many others, Magicbookmarks has all fictional characters from films, books and TV. Once again, it was a very, very hard decision over what to buy and, once again, there is definitely something for everybody.

In the end, I chose a little Sirius Black from Harry Potter, and my brother chose Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones. Something which surprised me and that I was really happy about was that Magicbookmarks also sent a little free gift of a sticker with Hermione Granger, Percy Jackson and Sadness from 'Inside Out' on it. Unknowingly to them, these are three of my favourite fictional characters, and I'm going to stick the sticker on a piece of card and use it as another bookmark. I thought that was so so sweet, a really nice added touch to the order and I'm really happy over it.

As with Crafted Van, Magicbookmarks also had really good shipping. As it was shipping from Spain to the UK, shipping was a couple of pounds cheaper (I also forgot to mention that the products themselves were a good price, between £2.50-£3 each). The thing I'm most happy with about shipping is that I received an email a couple of days after I placed my order saying that it was on its way and should arrive in two weeks, and in actual fact it arrived two days after I got that email. The bookmarks are a high quality, they're also card with a glossy-ness to it (though not sticky like Crafted Van) and the part of the bookmark that you fold over the top of the page is actually made out of felt instead of card. I like how the felt corresponds to the main colours of the bookmark, and I also like how the back of the bookmark looks like the back of the character's head and clothes instead of being double sided. The bookmarks were also packaged really nicely, each presented on a prettily stamped piece of card with washi tape, and you really got the sense that time and effort had gone into each individual order. Again, I am very, very happy with my purchases and I would high recommend.

Rosie 

HONESTY AND CHANGES

I wanted to write a quick post today about some changes that I want to make to do with my blog. It's been no secret that I had massive blogging writers block for the majority of this year, and I am honestly going to say here that I think that is a result of lack of enthusiasim for my previous content in recent times.

This year I got majorly back into reading (so far I've managed to read 50 books this year) and I want to put more of that element of my life into what I'm posting on here. I've always been predominently a makeup blogger of sorts but that's just not interesting me as much as it used to, as seen by the fact that I haven't posted a 'favourites' post over six months whereas I used to write them regularly. Don't get me wrong here, I still love makeup, and I'm still going to post about it, but I think I want to delve a bit more into the world of book blogging.

I'll still post makeup, outfits, photo diaries, lifestyle, baking, travel etc. posts, just with the added element of more book posts. I'm also thinking of writing more lifestyle and chatty posts and maybe some around planners and organisation (which I absoloutely love), but we'll see about that later. I'm excited to change things up a bit and focus more on some of my newer passions.

Rosie

Follow me on Social Media:

Twitter @rozoid97

Book-based Instagram @rozoid_books

(ANOTHER) CONCEALER COMPARRISON

In July I posted a 'Concealer Comparrison' post, comparing my long-term Collection 'Lasting Perfection' concealer, and a new Rimmel 'Wake Me Up' concealer. A couple of week after that, however, I released that the Rimmel 'Wake Me Up' concealer just wasn't right for me and so a new 'Concealer Comparrison' post is being born.

The reason I initially decided to stop using the Collection 'Lasting Perfection' concealer, after using it for about a year, was because I suspected that it was making my skin very dry. I have fairly dry skin anyway, but the areas where I was using the concealer were more dry than ever. Since changing concealers, my dry skin has become much, much better.

I opted for the Rimmel 'Wake Me Up' concealer as I'd heard nothing but good things about it and swatching it in the shop showed that it was basically an exact match for my skin. I really liked the Rimmel 'Wake Me Up', not only was it a very good match for my skin, but it also felt good on the skin. I liked the fact that it had a slightly more watery consistency and that it didn't look and feel thick, cakey and drying on the face. The only problem with it, that resulted in me having to buy a new concealer, was that it didn't have very good coverage at all. The thin consistency meant that it didn't cover up spots and blemishes very well and it just wasn't suited for my needs. The Rimmel 'Wake Me Up' concealer is suited more to brightening and hiding dark circles under the eyes, etc., but I am hoping to go back to using it when my skin is a bit better and I don't need such heavy duty coverage.

I had a long list of concealers from Boots and Superdrug to try out, but after swatching them all, I decided that the Maybelline 'Fit Me' Concealer was the best match for my skin with the right amount of coverage. Maybelline is a brand that I had never ever considered for concealer before, I've used their 'Colour Tattoo' eyeshadows and 'Baby Lips' lip balm, but I'd never thought of them for anything else. The most notable thing about the 'Fit Me' concealer is how similar the packaging looks to the immensely famous and popular Nars concealer.

I am enjoying using this concealer, it has a thicker consistency so it has good coverage on spots and blemishes. One thing I have found, for my personal skin tone, is that I have to apply it quite lightly and then build it up in light dabs, otherwise it can look quite orangey on my face. Unlike the Collection 'Lasting Perfection' concealer, the 'Fit Me' concealer doesn't look noticeably thick and cakey on my skin, and it hasn't caused any dryness in the areas of use at all.

I would highly recommend this concealer, it meets all my needs and it's a good product at a reasonable price (between £5-£10). I can't see myself being one to settle on just one concealer, but for now I am very happy with this one and it suits me well.

I wanted to do just a quick paragraph here to talk about concealer application. For applying concealer, I personally like to actually use a fluffy eyeshadow brush, though I do sometimes use a concealer brush. I tend to prefer the eyeshadow brushes as they are much larger and so I find it easier to blend the concealer into the surrounding area. I know it's wrong, but I do sometimes prefer to use a finger to just dab the concealer in, I find that it sometimes covers spots much better than blending in with a brush. Though I find that using a finger gives the best results, I try to use a brush so as not to risk my skin getting worse from the bacteria on fingers. If you look at the picture below of my current makeup brush set (the whole set, including the case, is from Cath Kidston), you can see that I normally use the brush three from the right for my concealer, which is actually an eyeshadow brush, though I do occasionally use the proper concealer brush to the left of it.

Rosie 

SEPTEMBER PLAYLIST

It's no secret that I have a very odd taste in music. I've compiled a quick list here of all the (albeit slightly strange) songs that I've been enjoying towards the end of the Summer holidays/the start of September.

'At Least it Was Here'- The 88
This song is more commonly known as the theme song to the show 'Community' (which is incredible and you need to watch it). I really like this song, I think it's one of the best opening theme songs to a show and it needs more recognition. (I like to sing loudly along to the show when it plays).

'Dime Store Cowgirl'- Kacey Musgraves
I love country music and I love Kacey Musgraves. Her new album came out earlier in the Summer and this is one of my favourite songs from it. I'm seeing her in November and I'm very excited.

'Good Ol' Boys Club'- Kacey Musgraves
This is another song from Kacey Musgraves' new album, 'Pageant Material', and this is vying for my favourite song from the album. It reminds me slightly of 'The Raven Boys' and their upperclass parties.

'Little Numbers'- BOY
My best friend introduced me to this song and it is very, very catchy. I've been loving this song for a good few months now and I haven't got bored of it yet.

'A Man for All Seasons'- Robbie Williams 
Yes, this is a song from the 'Johnny English' soundtrack. Yes, it is a cheesy and embarassing song to like. Yes, I really do love it. It's so catchy and how can anyone not love Robbie Williams.

'Bad Moon Rising'- Creedence Clearwater Revival 
This is a song that I have loved for years and years but only got back into recently. Again, it's a very catchy song and it brings back a lot of memories and nostalgia.

'Honky Tonk Women'- The Rolling Stones
I love the Rolling Stones a lot and this is definitely my favourite song of theirs. I've been listening to it on repeat all summer and I love their original, more blues-ey stuff from their early days as a band.

'Check Yes Juliet'- We The Kings 
This is the ultimate 2008, year 7 throwback. I recently heard this song again for the first time in about seven years and I forgot how good it was. I have no shame in saying that I've really been enjoying this song and reliving my embarassing 11 year-old days.

'A Satisfied Mind'- Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash is undeniably one of the greatest musicians of all time. I actually discovered this song on the 'Kill Bill' soundtrack and it's really, really good.

'Blind Willie McTell'- Bob Dylan
I've been really into Bob Dylan again after watching 'I'm Not There', a film based on his life, and this is my current favourite song of his.

BACK TO COLLEGE ESSENTIALS

I go back to college next week on Tuesday 8th so I've been feeling that September motivation for the next academic year, which also happens to be my final year at college before university. One of the best bits of the year for me is the buying of new stationary, and boy do I love stationary. (A thing that must also be noted here is that W.H. Smith always has a back-to-school stationary sale near the end of the holidays and it's very exciting.) I've complied a list of some of the things (minius the pens, pencils, etc. stuff) that I think are essential for going back to school/college, all of which will be making their appearance in my bag come Tuesday.

Ringer Binders
Being at college rather than school, I work solely with paper and ring binders instead of out of work books. I love pretty folders and I buy all of mine from W.H. Smith. I use one of the regular two-ring ones on a daily basis, I only use one folder so that all of my work is in the same place and I only have to carry one around with me everyday. At home, however, I like to have the massive lever arch files, which I keep all the work I no longer need in, this way I'm only carrying what I need to college and my small folder doesn't get too full. I don't study a-levels, and my college course is split into nine different units throughout the year, so I only carry the work of the units we are currently studying around with me, and all the work from the completed units is kept in my lever arch files at home.

Folder Dividers and Plastic Wallets
I love folder dividers for separating each different unit in my folder, and they're a great way to keep organised. I have to hand in my college work as a physical copy, so plastic wallets are really useful for that. Each unit is handed in in its own plastic wallet so it's all kept together and there's no risk of anything being lost. I also find plastic wallets useful for booklets that cannot be hole punched but I want to keep in my folder.

Paper
This is pretty self explanatory, I write on paper that I then put into my folder. I normally use the W.H. Smith A4 sheets (as seen in the picture), though I am a notebook fiend so I do like to keep a few A5 notebooks around as well.

Planner
Organisation is a thing that I love, so obviously I can't not get myself a planner. As sad as I've been told it is, I get great excitement from writing in my planner and organising my life. I have a little tick sheet at the back in the notes section showing every piece of work in every unit, and I get to tick it in one colour if I've completed that piece of work, and tick it again in another colour if I've handed it in. Very satisfying. My beautiful planner is from W.H. Smith, they have an amazing selection of planners and I spent a good 30 minutes standing there trying to decide which one I wanted.

Pencil Case
Also self explanatory, everyone needs a pencil case. I sneakily like to only keep one pen at a time in mine so that I never have one to lend out to anyone and lose it. I absolutely love my pencil case, it's from Cath Kidston, I got it last Christmas and I think it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

Rucksack
I prefer using a rucksack for my school bag as two straps is so much easier and less painful than carrying a bag round on one shoulder. You may recognise the picture below of my rucksack from my ootd post at the end of August. This bag is from Accessorize, though I do have the back-up bigger rucksack if this one proves to be slightly too small for a folder, which it might well be.