25 September 2013

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Hey guys! This evening I'm doing my first proper book review on my blog. I'm going to review an overly-talked about book that you often see on other blogs and pretty Instagrams.
This book, my friends, is the Fault In Our Stars.


 Here's the summary:


This is NOT a soppy love story. The Fault in Our Stars is 
an explanation of life.

The story has a main theme of illness, so before you read the book, you should realize that reality will strike you. Cancer is a very serious topic, and Green captures the subject in an intelligent way. I kept forgetting about Hazel and Augustus' illnesses when I read the book. It shocked me.
It made me think.

The comment's on the back of the cover describe the story well; insightful, bold, irreverent and raw. It is has an extremely powerful moral to the story, which I shalt not spoil. The characterization is magically strong, depicting the persona of Hazel Grace beautifully.
Plus, I so badly want to meet Augustus. Haaaaaahhhh.

Green's language is slightly complicated, including words that I have never met before like ambiguous, and I can't remember other vocabulary that clearly. I must read the book and underline, define and memorize some words he use; I want to increase my terminology for English essays. John Green's language is just so unique.

The story line falls into place in this book.
The imagery is simple but magnificent.
As Hazel Grace once said:

That's how I feel about The Fault in Our Stars

That is how Hazel felt with An Imperial Affliction, but this is exactly how I feel with The Fault In Our Stars!

Before I sum up the review, I just gotta mention that TFIOS might be made into a movie in a few years. SQUEEEAL! Augustus BETTER be hot!

After first page, you'll want to read more; I guarantee!

The Fault in Our Stars is just magnificent. I rate it 10/10!!!

I recommend it for people aged 13 and over (despite the quote...) because there are explicit scenes that even I shouldn't read, but oh well. You need to read this if you're a teen or adult!

Now I shall leave you with a fantastic drawing of quotes from TFIOS. 
Please look and read it, it won't spoil anything, pinky promise.
The quotes from the story are forever to remember.

:)


20 September 2013

What's in my School Bag?


Hey guys!
It's been almost 4 weeks since I began school, and 
I am really back into the routine!
It feels like summer never came... I'm so used to school again!
I'm in second year and I'm loving school so far this year; even though the homework and study is a bore, it's fab to see my pals again, now 5 days a week (or more)!

Today I decided to do a What's in my School bag post. I was inspired to do this by some American YouTubers like MakeupbyMandy24 and BeautyBySiena. I don't have that much essentials apart from the obvious stuff like books and stationary, but I hope you enjoy!


So here's my bag from Jansport and on the zip I have a few key rings.


I'm going to start with my least needed things
(a.k.a the most interesting ones)

(Anti-clockwise from Top Left)
Baby Lips in Pink Punch (see my review here!)
Walgreen's Hand Sanitizer
Vaseline in Rosy Lips
EOS Lip Balm in Sweet Mint

I have three lip products, yes I realize! I like having the variety; EOS is the most moisturizing with no colour, Baby Lips of course has pink tint and I only use it occasionally and the Vaseline is forever the most trusted lip balm so HOW could I go without?
I also have one hand sanitizer from a pharmacy in America. No I didn't get the Bath and Body Works ones; I felt like they were not worth buying when I you could get an equally good enough one at Walgreen's. I hardly use it. I'm not a germ freak at all! I thought it might be handy if colds start to spread since it's almost winter time.


Mints.
These guys are super handy when you want a fresh mouth after lunch. I don't always pop one into my mouth after lunchtime; I forget, but I should get into the habit. Mints are so nice! Tic-Tacs are also just as good a Silvermints.


A hairbrush.
Shall I explain myself?
Nope, you know the answer...


My locker key.
I don't really keep this in my bag; I keep it on my wrist. But it's something I need every day anway, very essential.


My phone.
We have a strict rule in my school on 'Phones off during class and kept in lockers'. I normally turn mine off and bring it to school in case of emergencies (e.g. if I forgot something; thanks Mum) and sometimes I turn it on but leave it on silent.



My pencil cases and stationary are obviously a must.
I love highlighters for taking notes and colourful pens!


My copies, workbooks and folders and school planner.
Of course I need these for class.
I don't have textbooks because...



I have them on my iPad!
So my iPad is also important, probably the most important.
iOS7 came out recently, and yes, I did update my iPad. It just looks like that because that photo was taken a while back, as it says on the date.

That's it guys!
Hope you liked it!!

Before I go, I shall mention two things:

I got shortlisted for the Best Youth Blog in the Irish Blog Awards!
I am so phyched!!! Also congrats to Grace, Gaby and tons of others! 

And last thing...
A SONG I AM SO OBSESSED WITH!
It is Wake Me Up by Avicii but IN THE IRISH LANGUAGE! 
Expect to see it in my upcoming September Favourites!
Well done Colaiste Lurgan on two million views!
This makes me proud to be Irish!!!



13 September 2013

Dublin Fashion Festival 2013! OOTD + Mini Haul




Hey guys!
I joined in the fashion festival hype last Saturday (7th September) by going to Jervis Shopping Centre (near Henry Street). I missed the fashion show on Henry Street that morning annoyingly because I was playing a hockey match...

I had a great time! There wasn't as much things going on as I hoped there would be, but it was still fun!

Here's the outfit I wore:


Jumper: Hollister
Scarf: Hollister
Top: you guessed it; Hollister

AAH So much damn Hollister!!!


Jeans: Bershka (phew)
Boots: UGG Australia
Bag: Kipling



Eyeliner: Rimmel 
Lips: Revlon Lip Butter in Cupcake



Mum and I took the bus into city center and as soon as we walked into the shopping center, we saw a big camera and a photographer taking photos of other girls. 
We asked the photographer what it was about, and apparently there was a competition and if you took a photo with him, he would upload it to the Jervis SC Facebook and whoever gets the most likes or something wins 250 euro shopping spree.

That competition is probably over now... I don't think I won. :/

So that's moi posing above!

Anywho, my Mum and I browsed around Forever 21, New Look, Topshop and Boots. I only got stuff from Forever 21 and Boots, which I'll show to you in a jiffy.






Then, at around 4:30 in the afternoon, we went to the ground floor of the shopping centre to view a Style Workshop by Brendan Courtney (an Irish fashion designer and TV personality). 
Before it began, a lady gave out some goodie bags, and I 'luckily' grabbed one after a huge crowd circled around me! But wait till I show you how 'good' the gifts were later on..

The workshop was good. There were four models who came out twice each to showcase some Celebrity Style Steals (including Miley Cyrus and Khloe Kardashian) and some upcoming trends for A/W '13. Unfortunately take any note of them; I wouldn't be too worried about 'following the crowd', but I do remember he mentioned animal print. Guess I was fashionable with my Kipling bag, eh?

Afterwards, Mum and I began to leave the shopping centre, until we noticed two people nabbing a photo with Brendan. We thought we'd be a tad cheeky and get a picture too. We was so nice and friendly and didn't mind at all. Mum and I left giggling. :)

So overall, it wasn't as eventful as I hoped, but it was great, and I'd love to go next year to more popular workshops or shows!

On with le haul:


As I said, I got clothes from Forever 21 and something from Boots and a DFF goodie bag. I love the DFF bag itself (maybe not the goodies that you'll soon see); when I got hold of it I felt part of the festival!


The first thing I found at Forever 21 was this GORGEOUS leather jacket with 'sweatshirt material' sleeves and hood. I la la la love it! It's just so fabulous and comfortable, and somehow, to me, autumn-y.


I also got a dress that I would totally pair with tights and my black boots (not uggs) but to jazz it up, I'd maybe add my long heart necklace. I'd think of more ideas. This dress is super perf! Such a great fit on me :)


I got this from Boots. I'm running out of my moisturiser so I decided I should try out the Garnier one next since I've heard such great things about it! Expect a review soon, and maybe a skincare routine(???) What do you guys think?



And, ahem, here are the 'amazing' things I got in the goodie bag.
Oh dear.

Two L'oreal samples (so far not so bad)
A Tailoring Academy brochure (threw it out)
A 5 euro voucher for a taxi cab (threw it out)
Perfectil Skin, Hair and Nails vitamin tablets (eh, no thanks)
Special K (just plain odd)
I also got a face wipe (yes a face wipe) which SUCKED

And wait for it; a Compeed PLASTER???????

WHAAAT?

What were you thinking DFF?


The only worthy things in the bag were these two, obviously.
I haven't tried them yet though; hopefully they're good...

So that was all I got up to last Saturday at the DFF 2013 in Jervis Shopping Centre!

Talk to you all soon!

06 September 2013

☼ Summer Favourites (June - August) ☼

Summer's officially over.
Booooo.

But at least there's one thing good; it's time for Summer Favourites! Wooop!
I'm sorry I haven't been doing *proper* monthly favourites; I'm going get back on track again with September favourites at the end of this month!

But for now enjoy my last Summer post (D:)!

Coming soon: What's in my School Bag???

Beauty


Make up: 

(A lot of these products have been reviewed already; click the links below to see the reviews! Warning: there are a lot of lip products in this favourites!)



Models Own Make Up Sponge
I love this! It's very good for blending my concealer; super practical! Handy if you don't want to get your fingers messy and is sometimes good for blending foundation/BB cream.


Sugarbomb Lipgloss by Benfit
I got this with my Sugarlicious set at Christmas and it's gorgeous! It's super shiny and a lovely nude colour. It smells divine! I love to apply this when I have heavy eye make up.



Fragrance:

Victoria's Secret body spray in Pure Daydream
This smells so good! The name suits it perfectly! It's such a dreamy scent. The only problem is that it's running out quite quickly... Probably because it's a travel size though. 
This was my summer scent; if I spay it now, it reminds me of Summer 2013. That's what I love a about fragrances; they keep memories.


Nail Polish:



Skincare:

Hollister Body and Hand cream in Laguna beach
This smells like heaven in a tube. Honestly.
I love to use this for my hands, and I really want to get the body spray version of this. I got it for my birthday from friends and I am in
LOVE with it!

Simple Refreshing Shower Gel
This very soothing to me! It is what it is: refreshing. And it's supposed to cleanse and purify; I think it might have done so! Another job 
well done Simple.


Hair:

Trevor Sorbie Salt Texture Spray
This spray is supposed to create relaxed, tousled waves with a matte texture. I think it's alright; it says to apply on damp hair, and then in the salon tip, it's say to apply on dry hair... ??? Ah well. It works fine but occasionally tends to be sticky, or causes tangles. I'm not sure if I'd buy any texture spray again... I find them useless sometimes, but they can be fun to use to jazz up a ponytail.

Pantene Over night Nourishing Spray
This is what it is: nourishing!
As you saw in my GRWM: First day of School post, I sprayed this on my plaits to enhance the curls for the next day, and it really works! It makes my hair incredibly soft.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Original
Surprise surprise.
Batiste is in my favourites once agiain.
You know the drill... I love to use this when I don't wash my hair but I still want it to feel clean and fresh. This is the BEST.

Random

Music:
Click here for my Spring/Summer 2013 playlist!


Magazines:

Oh. My. Freaking. God.
No I don't have an addiction *cough cough*.
The amount of magazines you can buy in three months eh?
I have thoroughly, without doubt, loved each and every issue.
I don't think I really need to review every single issue. They were literally all brilliant.You can never have enough, ok?!


Books:

Four and Children and It by Jacqueline Wilson
Definitely not my favourite book by Jackie (Hetty Feather series wins, by miles), but I still really enjoyed this. I loved the way she was inspired by another book to write this. It's a super strange plot, but interesting. I adored Maudie in this!

Ratburger by David Walliams
I read Billionaire Boy last year by the same author and thought it was pretty funny, and I got this for Christmas. It's unique, of course funny and, occasionally, kind of gross. But it was good to read; you don't have to read serious all the time, right?

The Fault in our Stars by John Green
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
This is just epic.
This is a beautifl story, filled with super characters. You just have to, and I mean, HAVE TO, read this! Seriuosly! You will laugh and you will cry. Honestly! Read it. Now!!!!
Green is a genius!
(Do not read if younger than 12, I'm warning you!)

Coco Caramel by Cathy Cassidy
I am in love with the Chocolate Box girls series. It' sugary sweet and full of drama. The sisters are just to die for. I love Skye the best. If you're a real girly-girl, then this is a must read.

The Mortal Instruments Book One: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! AGAIN!
Unless you're asleep, you must have heard about this new movie that has been out recently. It was originally a book. I saw the film, and it was super good, but the book is 100000X BETTER! I am on the second book of the series now and it is just... ahh can't think of any words! It's just well, outsanding, glittering, excellent and MAGNIFICNET! Did I say I couldn't think of any words? That was the past.
Please if you have read this tell me. SHADOWHUNTERS UNITE!

Movie:
Monsters University is adorbs!
This is such a great family movie. I saw it with my cousins. It's so funny! You must see it!!

Snack:

Dippin' Dots
I ate this loads while in the States. They are so yummy! It's like ice cream, but in dots, if that makes sense. Vanilla was my go to flavour. Not available in Ireland. :( Come to Ireland, Dippin' Dots!

Cookie Dough
This is super good! One of my favourite ice creams. 
Chunks of cookie dough = heaven.

Mini Marshmallows from Aldi
Once you're in, you're in! These are soooo addicting; amazingly tasty!

Blog(s)of the Month(s):
Irish blogs! Woop woop! I've been obsessed over summer, click the photos to go to the blogs.

Vintage Teapot

Oh Hey There Rachel!

And the one and only, Thunder and Threads!

Youtuber(s) of the Month(s):
Who isn't sucked in to the Beauty Guru world? These are my summer favourites.

Ava Allan

MakeupbyMandy24

HauteBrilliance

Hope you liked this guys! 
Who's going to the Dublin Fashion Festival tomorrow? I am!
Tell me in the comments or tweet me @queenofquirk if you are.

Byeeeeeee!