SIGHH DESIGNS

I challenge anyone not to be a fan of Sighh designs. I've been following Polly (the creator of Sighh) on Instagram for a couple of years now, and I've been lusting over her products for just as long. After countless debates over what to get, I finally took the plunge and am now the very happy owner of a very beautiful (and aesthetically pleasing) phone case and to-do-list pad.

I was lucky enough to receive the phone case for Christmas, I helpfully pointed my mother towards the website and the cactus print seemed very fitting after my cactus-buying rampage during November. There are two types of phone case available, the original slimline case with the design on the back and clear plastic sides, or the new premium case where the design also goes up around the sides. The cactus design only comes in the slimline case, which I actually prefer as I like to still be able to see the beautiful gold colour of my phone. The back of the phone case, where the design is, is matte, which I absolutely love, not just because matte always looks better, but also because it's scratch proof and still looks brand new. One thing I'd also like to highlight is that the case is really easy to get on and off, so there's none of that struggle and stress that one or the other is going to break with the brute force.This phone case has stood up to the ultimate phone case test, I dropped my phone onto my friend's wooden floor and neither the phone or the case (or the floor) are damaged at all, which is perfect.

A kind-of-picture of how the slimline case looks on the sides of your phone

The second product I bought, which I'd been eyeing up for quite a while and desperately waiting to come back in stock, is the 'Today's Activities' desk pad. My order of the desk pad also included an A6 art print, which I thought was a really nice added touch. Undoubtedly, the 'Today's Activiites' desk pad is one of the most photogenic desk accessories I've ever seen. I love all things stationary and organisation, and so this little pad is absolutely perfect for me. I no longer have to keep pages and pages of notes on my phone, but can have it all here beautifully in front of me. The pad was initially thinner than I was expecting, but each sheet has over 10 little boxes and, really, how much is one person doing? For me, it's the perfect little size and the paper is think enough that you can make it all colourful and pretty without having the risk that it'll seep through. Both the desk pad and the art print are a cute little A6 size. The art print has a nice quote on it,'turn bread and water into toast and tea', which are two of my favourite things, and I love the mismatched style of the different fonts.

So I thought I'd talk briefly about the products themselves before I went on to the designs, the real reason why we're all so attracted to Sighh. The artwork is beautifully and painstakingly drawn, you can tell that a lot of love and effort goes into these designs and that anything less than perfection is not accepted. I absolutely love love love the hand-painted look of the 'Today's Activities' pad, it's definitely my favourite of all Polly's art styles. It's such a simple but effective design and I love the final imperfect-but-purposely-imperfect look it gives. The cactus design is one of Sighh's immensely popular cute and quirky styles. Other phone cases that caught my attention were the vegetable and hot chocolate cases, both of which have adorable foods with faces on them. What I really love about the design of the cactus case is that each cactus is different, it makes the case much more personal and interesting. With all these products, you can really tell that a lot of time and effort has gone into designing and making them, and they are all designed and produced to a really high quality.

Sighh is an immensely popular, home-grown, independent shop, and it really, really deserves all the hype and popularity that it gets.

Prices

Slimline Phone Case - £14.00

Desk Pad - £4.50

Art Print - £1.50

Link to the website here

Rosie

2016 READ-A-THONS

This maybe should have been posted closer to the start of the year, but I'm doing it now. For those of you that don't know, a read-a-thon is a challenge where you have a set amount of time (usually a week) to read as many books as possible that either fit a certain theme or have the goal of clearing your TBR slightly. I've made a short list here of all the read-a-thons (that I currently know about) that I would be interested in participating in this year. I'm also going to put a link here to Little Book Owl's video on Youtube, where she goes into much more helpful detail about read-a-thons happening in 2016.

AYearAThon
(Link to the Goodreads page here)
The AYearAThon happens for one week in each month of the year, making it 12 read-a-thons in total. Each read-a-thon has it's own theme, for example the theme for February is 'New Adult/Romance' and it is occurring right now (from the 8th-14th). To my knowledge, there is also a 'group read' every month, a book everyone participating is encouraged to read as part of the read-a-thon- like a book club book.

BookTubeAThon
(Link to the Youtube channel here)
The BookTubeAThon is probably the most popular and well-know annual read-a-thon. There are two BookTubeAThons, the main one takes place in the summer months over the course of a week, where people are challenged to read seven books that all correspond with the set read-a-thon challenges, which are announced nearer to the time. For those with Youtube (or Booktube) channels, there are also daily video challenges that go along with this read-a-thon. The second BookTubeAThon is the Christmas BookTubeAThon which happens in December (duh). This one is seen as being much more relaxed, lasting only three or four days, and so reading less books that all still fit with a Christmas-themed challenge.

Bout of Books
(Link the the website here)
Bout of Books is a low-pressure, week-long read-a-thon that happens multiple times a year, where participants are encouraged to read more than they usually would in a typically week. There is no set theme or reading list for the Bout of Books, it's very much a do-you-own-thing, chilled read-a-thon.

TBR Takedown
The TBR Takedown is another read-a-thon that occurs multiple times throughout the year and, obviously, the aim is clear some of your TBR books. Unlike Bout of Books, the TBR Takedown has some reading challenges to go along with the read-a-thon, though these are optional. TBR Takedown has a Twitter account where they will announce the dates closer to the time.

Slay That Series Read-a-Thon
The Slay That Series read-a-thon is taking place from 13th March- 20th March and the aim is to either finish one or multiple series that you've already started or to read a whole series.

Cram-a-Thon
The Cram-a-Thon usually takes place in July and December. The aim of the read-a-thon is literally to cram and read as many books as possible in a short period of time. I believe that there are also some reading challenges that go along with it. The Cram-a-Thon has a Twitter account, and I believe they will be announcing the July dates some time in May.

Harry Potter Read-a-Thons
There are two main Harry Potter read-a-thons. The first is the Harry Potter Read-a-Thon and usually takes place around the end of July, to coincide with Harry's birthday. The second is HarryXmasToYou and, you guessed it, takes place in December. HarryXmasToYou takes place during the whole of December, rather than being only a week long, and also includes Watch-a-Thons, where you watch the Harry Potter films. The aim of these read-a-thons is obviously to read the Harry Potter books.

Rosie 

GROWING UP?

So we're going to have a bit of an honesty hour here and discuss changes in reading preferences and growing out of certain books. As you probably know, I read Andy Miller's 'The Year of Reading Dangerously' in January, which I talk about a lot. As extreme as this sounds, this book changed me. The book documents Miller getting back into reading, and the 50 'great' classic books he challenged himself to read. As crazy as it is, I felt myself growing up in the less-than-a-week it took me to read this book. At the end of 2015, I was rethinking my reading choices and preferences, and TYoRD highlighted that even further for me. And the conclusion I came to is this:

I'm not sure I want to read YA anymore.

Obviously, this is a slightly over-reacted statement, I will still read YA because I can't help but love some of it, but right at this moment in time I find myself only wanting to reach for historical fiction YA and being a little bit tired of everything else. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this, but so much YA is so similar to each other and I'm getting so tired of it. I'm finding myself getting increasingly frustrated with YA characters and the way they act without thinking, and just the general unrealistic-ness (and dare I say childish-ness?) of YA books. Maybe I just can't relate to them anymore, who knows? Honestly, I think I'm growing up. At the end of 2015 I set myself the goal of reading more literature for adults (I want to refer to it as 'adult fiction' but I'm well aware that that makes me sound like I'm talking about erotic fiction, which I'm most definitely not!), as I'm eighteen-nearly-nineteen and I thought it was time I broadened my reading choices. In all honesty, it scares me slightly that I don't want to read much YA anymore, it's going out of my comfort zone and I'm not sure I even know where to start with general literature. All I know is that I'm just tired of YA and I maybe think I'm getting too old for it. (I'm not bashing anyone older who still loves YA, this is just how I feel personally about myself, read what you want and don't let anyone put you off it).

'The Year of Reading Dangerously' has thrown me completely off balance, suddenly I'm rethinking all my recent TBR's and I'm not sure what I want to read anymore. I'm almost feeling a bit like I'm in a reading slump, whilst still reading happily; I'm reading multiple books and I don't know what's right for me at the moment. I've realised that I definitely want to read more non-fiction and general literature, which I never felt the urge to before, and I'm looking forward to that. Wanting to read non-fiction is very new for me, I've never been interested in it before, but after reading 'I am Malala' and TYoRD, I'm starting to crave it slightly. I'm especially interested in historical and political non-fiction, and also non-fiction about books and film. I want to read what I want to read, and right now that's just not teenage fiction. In the past few weeks alone, I've branched out way more that I usually would. Don't get me wrong, I will still be reading some YA, but it's no longer going to be the only thing I read.

Don't be afraid of change and admitting to it.

Rosie

JANUARY READING WRAP UP 2016

Hello and welcome to my first reading wrap up of 2016! In 2016 I am aiming to read at least 50 books, my Goodreads challenge is set to 50 but I'm hoping to surpass that again. In January I read 7 books without realising it, which I think is a good start to the year. I'm also 214 pages through 'The Bronze Horseman' (on Kindle). In 2016 I'm planning on reading a lot of new things that I wouldn't normally pick up (which I've already started this month), and I'm excited to see where the rest of the year takes me.

Books Read: 

1. 'I Capture the Castle'- Dodie Smith
I started reading this book in December, but it's a very slow read and so I finished it at the start of this month (this annoyed me, I wanted to end 2015 on a complete and finished book). I have started reading this book multiple times over the years, but it's very slow and I never got into the story so I never finished it. I finally decided that it was high time I read this book the whole way through, and I was determined to do so. Once you can finally get into this book, it's quite good, it didn't wow me, but I enjoyed it. This book is okay, it's not the worst thing I've ever read, but it's so slow and I think that's what brings it down for me.

2. 'Watchmen'- Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
I rarely read graphic novels, but this one has really put me in the mood to read more. This graphic novel was great, it's definitely not a cheerful, nice, suitable-for-young-people story, but I really enjoyed it. I love Watchmen, I've been intrigued ever since I first saw the film trailer years ago, the story was great, the artwork was great, overall top notch.

3. 'I am Malala'- Malala Yousafzai
There is no doubt about it, Malala is an incredible person. I was a little apprehensive going into this book, there's a lot (a LOT) of history and politics that I wasn't sure I'd enjoy, but I really loved every second of this book, it was so interesting and it's got me wanting to read way more non-fiction about more serious topics. This book made me realise how ignorant I was about all these awful things happening all over the world (in my defence, I was too young for it all), and what I hadn't realised is that Malala and her father had done so much campaigning work throughout their lives and were already so well known, even before they became more widely known about in the Western world. The book stops not long after the shooting and all the medical treatment, but I would have really liked to read more about all the things she's done afterwards; I'm just hoping that one day she'll write a second book. Highly, highly recommend.

4. 'Anna and the French Kiss'- Stephanie Perkins
I only read this book in December, but I absolutely loved it and was itching to read it again. Again, I loved it, it's a lovely story with fantastic characters and I just have a great time with it every time.

5. 'Welcome to Night Vale'- Joesph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor
Since the start of January I have started listening to the Welcome to Night Vale podcast and I am completely and utterly obsessed. Obviously, I had to read this book as soon as possible. I'm sad to say that I was slightly disappointed with this book, it was obviously as excellent, weird and genius as the podcast, but it didn't wow me in the same way the podcast did. I think what makes Night Vale so special is the actual listening experience, so I am planning on listening to the audio book of this as well at some point, which I think I should have done from the beginning. Night Vale is very close to my heart and I would definitely recommend this book to any fans of the podcast (listen to the podcast before you read it, though).

6. 'The Year of Reading Dangerously'- Andy Miller
This book. Holy shit. This book. I borrowed this off my dad to read on my way to work when I didn't want to bring my Kindle on the tube. This book has literally changed my life. I've had a full-blown epiphany about books and what I do and don't want to read anymore. I feel like it's caused me to grow up in the space of less than a week. I'm so obsessed, if you love books then please read this book, I'm desperately trying to get everyone to read it. The basic premise of this book is Andy Miller trying to get back into reading, starting with all the classics he's claimed to have read but never has and working his way up from there. The book is some of Miller's thoughts on the 50 books he read in that first year. Obviously, I loved this book, Andy Miller is hilarious, a genius, a mastermind of words, and it's just so, so real and relatable; he's managed to persuade me to read so many new old books (and non-fiction). This is the ultimate book about books. I'd highly, highly recommend it to anyone who loves books and reading. I love it so much I can't comprehensively write my thoughts on it.

7. 'Fair Play'- Tove Jansson
I've read all of Tove Jansson's Moomin books, but this is the first time I've ever read one of her books not written for children. If I'm being honest here (which I'm going to be), I just didn't get this book. It was a nice, really well written collection of short stories about two old friends (in both senses of the word 'old'), but the stories didn't connect or flow and, in all honesty, I didn't understand it. There's nothing wrong with not understanding books, some books are nice, but they're just not for everyone.

Rosie

16 THINGS I WANT TO READ IN 2016

I've already started making a list of things I want to read in 2016, and it's already around 40 books long. I was going to title this '16 books I want to read in 2016', but I'm cheating a bit and including most things as groups or series (or remainders of series), and a few individual things.

1. Finish the 'Game of Thrones' Series
I've been reading this series for years, but they're all around 800 pages each, and it's a true investment to start reading them; on average it takes me about two months of slow reading and reading other things to finish each book. I only have two (published) books left to read, and I want to read them both during 2016.

2. Finish the 'Anne of Green Gables' Series
Anne of Green Gables is my favourite series of all time, but I've only ever read up to the third book. I re-read the first three books in 2015 so now I'm all caught up and ready to finish the series. In 2016, I want to read the final three books in the series, and then maybe read the spin-off books next year. I'm definitely going to finish it over the next few years (that seems like a long way away) and it's going to be a job well done.

3. More Graphic Novels
I've always quite liked graphic novels and I definitely want to get into them more. My most specific ones of read right now are ones by Alan Moore. I'm currently reading 'Watchmen' and I have 'V for Vendetta', and I also want to read 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen'. I'm also really interested in Noelle Stevenson's work, and I want to read 'Nimona' and 'Lumberjanes' at some point too.

4. More Fiction for Adults
Obviously I love YA fiction, but I'm 18 now and I really want to broaden what I'm reading and read more fiction written for adults. I'm basically going into this blind, as all the books I hear about online are YA, but I'm looking forward to discovering new things and branching out more.

5. 'Illuminae'
I really, really want to read this book.

6. 'To Kill a Mockingbird'
I've had this book for years and it's absolutely awful but I've never read it. I've never even opened it. I really need to rectify this as it's getting embarrassing and my mother's been harassing me for years to read it, I'm definitely going to in 2016.

7. 'The Heroes of Olympus' Series
This is the spin-off series to the Percy Jackson series, which I read the whole of in 2015 and absolutely loved. I want to at least start this series this year, but I'm hoping to read the whole thing. I love Percy Jackson and I'm excited to see where the story goes.

8. 'And Then There Were None'
The BBC made a mini three-episode series of this book at the end of December that I was obsessed with. I loved it so much I'm absolutely dying to read the book, and I'm hoping to do so at some point in January. (This reminds me how obsessed I was with the mini series of 'Great Expectations' a few Christmases ago, which I definitely also need to read this year).

9. 'I am Malala'
I got this book for Christmas and Malala's story is such an incredible, horrific, inspiring one that I need to read it really soon.

10. 'Wolf Hall'
I loved the TV series of this that was on last January and February and I really wanted to read the book after I watched it. I started this around April last year, but I wasn't really feeling it at the time, so I put it down. I want to restart and finish this book, and then hopefully read the second one before the third book comes out. I also want to read more of Hilary Mantel's books, especially 'A Place of Greater Safety'.

11. The 'Poldark' Series
I read the first book in this series a couple of years ago and really, really enjoyed it. I loved the TV series that was remade of it, and it reminded me that I needed to read more of the series. I can't really remember what happened in the first book, so I need to read that one again, but I want to get a good start on this series during 2016 (it's a very long series, 14 books that my parents absolutely love).

12. 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' Trilogy
I've wanted to read this for quite a while now, I've heard nothing but good things from everyone who's read it. However, I was never allowed to read it as I was too young for it; this is the only book that my parents have ever expressly told me not to read. Now that I'm well over 18 and closer to 19, my dad is telling me to read it as soon as possible, and I'm going to take advantage of his enthusiasm.

13. 'Red Rising' and 'The Fey Man'
These are two books that I bought on my mum's Kindle nearly a year ago and still haven't got round to reading. It's high time I read them, and I should do it soon.

14. More Historical Fiction
I absolutely love historical fiction, I've always said that it's my favourite genre, and yet I never read enough of it. I don't know why, I enjoy more or less every historical fiction book I read, but I always get side-tracked by fantasy and forget to read historical. I'm definitely going to be reading more historical fiction in 2016, I've got quite a few lined up over the next few months and I'm looking forward to all of them.

15. More Non-Fiction
I've read a fair few autobiographies written by famous female actresses and comedians, but I want to read more serious non-fiction books. I'm currently reading 'I am Malala' (which I'm really enjoying) and it's got me thinking that I want to read more non-fiction on real-life, current, not-at-all-happy topics. I also maybe want to read some wider non-fiction books, and branch out a bit more from the usual biographies and autobiographies.

16. 'The Secret History'
Every time I look at my bookshelf and unread books, this is one that always jumps out to me and I feel like I should read it soon.

Rosie

TOP TEN TUESDAY

Hello, just a quick little bit here about a new thing known as Top Ten Tuesday. Top Ten Tuesday is something I want to introduce onto this blog, and it basically does what it says on the tin. On some Tuesdays, but not every Tuesday, I'll be uploading a 'Top Ten' list of something I like. These will have no theme, no set upload dates, but will be a simple list of my top ten favourites of certain things. That is all, expect the first one in February.

Rosie 

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS 2016

It's that time of year where we all make New Years resolutions and don't stick to them, so here are mine for the year of 2016.

1. Read 50 Books
Let's start with the reading goal, which is not technically a resolution. In 2015 I read 72 books, so I thought 50 was a reasonable goal for me to achieve. I'm hoping to read more than 50, but as I'm hopefully moving to university in September (fingers crossed), we'll see how much time I have after that.

2. Exercise More and Eat More Healthily
This is my main resolution, which it was last year as well, along with probably nearly every single other person. I'm getting a lot better at the healthy eating, I'm making a conscious effort to eat at least 3 pieces of fruit and vegetables a day, though that has gone slightly downhill over the Christmas holidays. I'm not good with the exercising thing, I don't enjoy it and mostly I can't be bothered. I'm well aware that I need to get fitter and to exercise more, and I'm really going to try hard at that this year.

3. Worry Less
My anxiety has got worse and I want it to not be worse.

4. Live For Myself
I've got a lot better at this, I've mostly stopped worrying about what other people think about me, but this is something I'd like to maintain and get even better at.

5. Pass my Driving Test
I've restarted my lessons with a new teacher and they're going really well. I'd like to pass my test before I go to university, which should be well within my reach.

6. Get Into University
And finally, I'd like to actually get into university please and thank you.