BEAUTY TREATMENT REVIEW // HAMAMM RITUAL @ AJALA SPA

On Monday, I headed down for my free Hammam Ritual at Ajala Spa, another exclusive treat from the Beauty Bloggers Tea Party I attended. I'm not going to lie, having never been to a proper spa before for a proper treatment, I was extremely excited. The closest thing I've come to a 'spa' before is sneaking into a closed sauna after hours on holiday when I was a teenager. 

I was slightly apprehensive about my Hammam treatment, not really knowing what to expect. Google taught me that Hammam treatments are taken from Turkish hammam bath houses and utilise steam, mud, heat, aromatherapy and massage. My sister told me that they basically throw you around on a hot stone whilst spraying a hose at you, which is apparently what happened at her super traditional treatment when she was in Turkey. Lovely.

Once I'd decided what swimwear to wear (my skull bikini with it's bottoms a size too big that make me look like I have a saggy bum, or my skimpy Aztec print bikini which wasn't very 'safe' being that I'd lost the straps months ago and it was now strapless? So many choices...) I headed down to London. By the time I'd arrived, I was ready to relax after sitting on a hot stuffy train for so long.

I must have sounded like a div with my constant questions 'Where shall I leave my stuff?' 'Where's the loo?' 'I am supposed to be wearing a bikini, right?' but once I was offered a drink upon arrival and shown to the changing room, my mind immediately cleared. The spa it's self is beautiful and tranquil, relaxing you before you've even started a treatment.

The pool at Ajala Spa, image taken from google

I got changed into my bikini and extra fluffy robe and followed the lady performing the treatment down past the pool and into one the Hammam Ritual room. It was like a steam room with a big large marble slab in the middle (it was actually a lot comfier than it sounds!). The lights were dim and the atmosphere was relaxing with a really relaxing scent in the air.

I can't tell you exactly what happened - I was far too relaxed to pay attention to the random lotions and potions being used on my skin, but I can tell you that it all felt amazing. The whole thing varied from having oils massaged into my skin to cleanse it, scrubs applied to my body with a rough massaging mitt to really scrub off any dirt (this was oddly relaxing), and finally a mineral mud mask which, once washed off, was then replaced with a relaxing oil which left my skin feeling silky smooth, shiny and very, very clean. In between each lotion or scrub being applied with a beyond relaxing massage, I was sprayed with cold water to help wash it off. Being that I was in a steam room, it was incredibly refreshing and helped the treatment apply better.

The whole process was really relaxing, I left the treatment room feeling so laid back and the treatment really helped me unwind. It was definitely something so much more than your average massage with the cold water hose and the various products to applied my skin, but I felt that it benefited not only my state of mind and mood, but my body too because even two days later my skin feels amazing.

Afterwards I had use of the spa facilities too so I went for a dip in the pool and also relaxed in the hot tub/jacuzzi for a bit, which was amazing. It overlooked the pool and the water was actually hot and not just warm like some jacuzzi's are.

I was pleasantly surprised at just how amazing I felt afterwards. I left the spa feeling confident and very feminine, like I just wanted to put on my highest heels, backcomb my hair to fuck and go out on the pull. Is that a normal reaction for amazing massages and spa treatments? I don't know but I'm definitely already planning my next one...

What I wore in the day (not inside the spa obviously, but you get what I mean) - very Parisian chic!

Thank you SO much Ajala Spa for my beyond amazing treatment, not only do I still feel mega relaxed two days later but my silky skin has also given me a sexy confident boost and made me feel very feminine and flirty.

You can find out more about the different treatments offered at Ajala spa and book yourself in for a Hamamm ritual here!

Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin | Tumblr | Instagram 

APP REVIEW // SNAPTEE

Recently I was given the opportunity to review Snaptee, a brand new mobile app that allows you to design and order your own custom t-shirt completely in app. Not only can you completely customize the design to how you want it but you can also 'sell' the design, allowing other people to purchase your t-shirt and earn you some money!

I was immediately intrigued - I've never really had the opportunity to customize my own t-shirt before and the fact that it can all be done quickly and easily through an app definitely got me interested. I thought perhaps if it was all done through an app then maybe I wouldn't have the chance to be as creative as I'd like - but I was wrong. If anything, you can be even more creative then I'd have imagined! You can grab photos directly from your photo album or Instagram and from there you can pick your design - choosing from a variety of different sizes, shapes, patterns and effects. You can even add text if you choose to.

Any thoughts I've had about customizing t-shirts before have gone out the window. I used to think that the process would be picking a random website online or going to see the bloke who has his own market stall, having the choice between either neon sparkly font or a standard box image photo and being disappointed with the quality of the print and the t-shirt. However, Snaptee has made it so easy and the process is completed within moments.

Designing my t-shirt was only half the battle (although that was hard enough, there were so many ideas to choose from!) and once I'd placed my order, I eagerly waited to see what would turn up at my door. I was a little worried at first because the image I used is tiny and has small text, so I did wonder if it would end up being blurry or unreadable on my shirt. My t-shirt arrived really quickly and I'm more then happy with it all! The design is clear and easy to read and the top is really good quality - it fits perfectly and is soft and comfy to wear.

Snaptee basically helped me feel like a fashion designer without any hassle. It actually all coincided with an idea I've had for ages about making t-shirts featuring lyrics from my favourite songs. I didn't think the idea would work really but using Snaptee has changed my mind. I found an image that included lyrics from a personal favourite song of mine and it looked really cool and not at all corny. I think, considering I looked into the copyright of it all, I'll hopefully be able to make loads more cool tops with my favourite lyrics by using Snaptee!

The only other thing I'd like to say is that I'd love to see Snaptee expanding the range in future and hopefully including other types of t-shirts! I think it would be a great idea to have the opportunity to add your designs to vest tops or something, although to be honest it's not hard to cut a standard t-shirt into a vest top anyway.

If you're a budding fashion designer, have ideas for some great t-shirt designs or even if you're just stick of whats in the stores at the moment, check out Snaptee for an easy, creative and affordable alternative option to designing your own t-shirts.

Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin | Tumblr | Instagram  

*Please note, this post contains a PR sample.

BOOK REVIEW // THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS

The Runaway Princess is the latest novel by Hester Browne who has also written bestselling novels Swept Off Her Feet, The Little Lady Agency in the Big-Apple and The Finishing Touches. Despite being the author of so many best selling books, I'd never read any of Hester Browne's stories before so I was eager to discover her writing style and get stuck into her latest book, The Runaway Princess.

The story follows Amy Wilde who is married to her less than glamorous job as a top gardener. Despite her flatmate Jo (who is the complete opposite of Amy) continually trying to set her up, it just doesn't happen. Amy is comfortable with her life - it might not be glossy but she's happy. However her life is turned upside down when she a meets mysterious and handsome man called Leo and experiences an immediate mutual connection. Imagine her surprise however when she discovers that he's a prince and his life is everything hers is not!

The blurb reads -

Amy Wilde is tired of the idiots her glamorous flatmate Jo tries to set her up with - she'd much rather be landscaping a garden with her dog Badger at her side than trying to find the man of her dreams. That is, until she meets Leo Wolfsburg. Handsome, polite, funny, intriguing - Leo is everything Amy could want in a man. Best of all, the attraction seems mutual.

But Leo's lifestyle is a world away from her own. Private planes, charity balls, exclusive members' clubs - Amy begins to realise that her simple existance has been turned upside down. And just where is Leo's home country of Nirona, anyway? Is this all too good to be true?

This book deals with exactly what happens after the 'happy ever after' - something we don't often get to read about in books. It's a much more realistic example of a fairytale - as much as we'd all like to be swept off our feet by a handsome man who turns out to be a prince, there's a lot more to it than that. For example, Amy isn't too happy that Leo lied to her about who he actually was and then she's more than convinced she's not cut out to be a princess. Then there's family members - those who want the crown for themselves and those who don't think Amy could fill the role of a princess. It's refreshing to know that not everyone lives happily ever after without their fair share of pressure, especially when it comes to marrying a prince. I'd like to think should any ordinary girl meet a prince, this book is an accurate representation of how it would all play out. And I love that. I really, really love how this book manages to stay realistic but also inspiring at the same time.

I thought Hester Browne's writing was really witty and found myself giggling along constantly. The story was just right ; it was heartwarming and uplifting but it also had it's fair share of moments that made you stop and think which I liked. It definitely made me laugh a lot more than other stories too.

I loved Amy's character because I think we can all relate to her in someway. She's slightly shy around people she doesn't know - worrying about saying the wrong thing or giving off the wrong impression and prefers staying in the kitchen eating foods at parties instead of socialising. But she's also head strong and determined, especially when it comes to her career. Sure, she could definitely do with glamming herself up a bit, but at the end of the day she's just a normal lady like any of us.

My favourite character would hands down have to be womaniser Rolf. He's absolutely hilarious - he has no clue about woman (but manages to bag them all somehow anyway?) and is devilishly handsome. In fact, is it wrong that before I fell in love with Leo's character, I kind of wanted to explore things further between Amy and Rolf and wanted to know what would happen if she'd given him a chance? What can I say, I always did prefer a bad boy womaniser over a romantic prince any day..

Overall this book was really witty and inspiring and I loved how long it was. It started from when Amy and Leo met, but didn't stop when they fell in love. We found out exactly what happened when Amy struggled to fit in with their royal family. This seems like a lot, the book covering their relationship from the very beginning but it felt just right - it wasn't rushed but the writing didn't seem forced either.

And as a final note, I'd also like to add that the book cover is SO cute. It's very girly and sophisticated, which is a perfect reflection of the story.

You can purchase Hester Browne's The Runaway Princess on Amazon now.

Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin | Tumblr | Instagram  

P.S Check out the Book Reviews tag for more book reviews! Also, please do visit Hanging On Every Word - another blog I'm part of. It's a collaborative book review blog between myself and some other bloggers and there are some great reviews on there! Please do check it out!

*Please note, this post contains a PR sample.

BOOK REVIEW // VIVIEN'S HEAVENLY ICE CREAM SHOP

Imagine my surprise when I arrived home from work recently to find this book waiting for me at home! I love reviewing books and have been very thankful to be able to read and review this one - for a start, look how cute the cover is! Doesn't it just make you want to get a giant ice cream and sit reading on the beach at Brighton or somewhere?

Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop is the second novel by Abby Clements and you can read my review of her first book, Meet Me Under The Mistletoe, here. I loved her first novel and already thought Abby Clements was a talented writer so as soon as I realized this book was her second novel, I knew I'd enjoy it.

This story is all about two sisters trying to run their late grandma's ice cream shop together, despite the fact that it's looking a little run down and the sisters are the complete opposite of each other. Anna is settled in her life having just moved in with her long term boyfriend whereas Imogen is constantly jetting off around the world to travel. But when they unexpectedly inherit the ice cream parlour they struggle to keep their grandmothers legacy afloat, even though running an ice cream shop was the last thing either of them expected to be doing that summer.

The blurb reads -

When Imogen and Anna unexpectedly inherit their grandmother Vivien's ice cream parlour, it turns their lives upside down. The Brighton shop is a seafront instuition, but though it's big on retro charm it's critically low on customers. If the sisters don't turn things around quickly, their grandmother's legacy will dissapear forever.

With summer fast approaching, Imogen and Anna devise a plan. Rather than sell up, they will train up, and make the parlour the newest destination on the South Coast foodie map.

While Imogen watches the shop and conjures new marketing ideas, her sister flies to Italy to attend a gourmet ice cream-making course. But can their best-laid plans survive their warring family, tempestuous love lives - and the great British weather? One thing is for certain - this summer will be like no other...

I loved this book because it was the perfect summer holiday read. It just reminded me of days spent on the beach when I was younger and used to go on caravan holidays down south with my parents, eating giant ice creams and lazing out under the sun. Do people still go on those types of holidays anymore? It's all about going abroad these days, isn't it..anyway, this book definitely reminded me of those times and put a big smile on my face and I'm sure it'll have the same effect on you. The whole book is about re-creating the vintage charm memories have, bringing old memories up to date and helping keep them alive. 

My favourite part of this book was that it had two main characters - sisters Imogen and Anna. Both were lovely characters but complete opposites of each other so that if you couldn't relate to one, you'd almost certainly relate to the other. I loved that their different personalities clashed in a number of different ways - at points they found it hard to run the shop together because of it, but at other times they balanced each other out which was great. I also liked how almost half way through the story they pretty much swapped lives - Anna jetted off to Italy for an adventure whilst Imogen was stuck at home running the shop.

It was also interesting to read as it dealt with some of the inevitable issues you have to deal with when you 'grow up'. The sisters worried as their dad fell into depression once his mum had passed away, and then there were arguments within the family about who should get the shop. It's a sad thing to know that these type of issues will one day crop up, but I thought it kept the book realistic and grounded.

Despite these side storylines, the story was very much lighthearted otherwise. It was funny, inspiring and even had a bit of romance in it. It was just the perfect book to read on a lazy day and it was easy to come back to time and time again. 

It taught me that sometimes life will throw you challenges which will literally turn your life upside down - but this isn't always a bad thing. It changed the sisters' lives in a good way and was a blessing in disguise - I think it was a challenge they definitely needed to overcome without even realizing it themselves.

I also loved the recipes at the back of the book! I've definitely been inspired to have a go at making my own ice cream now...

You can purchase Abby Clements Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop on Amazon now.

Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin | Tumblr | Instagram  

P.S Check out the Book Reviews tag for more book reviews! Also, please do visit Hanging On Every Word - another blog I'm part of. It's a collaborative book review blog between myself and some other bloggers and there are some great reviews on there! Please do check it out!

*Please note, this post contains a PR sample.

BEAUTY REVIEW // MAYBELLINE DREAM TOUCH BLUSH

I'm kind of funny when it comes to blushers. I absolutely adore blusher but it's so easy to get it wrong. To me, blusher is very feminine and normally the final touch to any look but I still find it hard to believe how so many different ladies pile it on and on and just end up looking like a clown. I don't know why, but I've never struggled with blusher (which is a first because I usually fail at anything else that comes with being a woman). And lately I've really enjoyed experimenting with different blushers ; light, soft and coral ones for summer days or days when I want to look quite natural and girly pink shades for days when I want to look my best or I'm heading out. It tends to vary but it means I normally swap between different blushers regularly.

My most recent favourite is Maybelline Dream Touch Blush in shade 02. I love this shade, it's very natural and has the most gorgeous coral/cream tint to it meaning that when applied it gives you that perfect natural flushed look. It's the type of product that looks so natural that no one would guess you've applied it specifically!

Normally I prefer powder blusher, but I've found this cream extremely easy to apply. It's easy to build up although even after one swatch of it on my cheeks I find that's enough. It lasts all day too and the cream makes it much easier to blend in.

The packagaing itself isn't anything special - I think my all time favourite blusher packaging would be the special edition Bourjois blusher with the different Paris themed cases but still, you get a large amount of blusher/cream in the pot so I think it'll last ages.

It's a feminine, flirty colour, it blends in well and is easy to apply. There's not really anything I can fault about this!

Maybelline Dream Touch Blush is available from Boots.

P.S Feel free to check out the beauty reviews tag for some more beauty related posts and beauty reviews!

ALBUM REVIEW // THE MAINE'S FOREVER HALLOWEEN

Image taken from Google

In it's own right, Forever Halloween is a spot on album. It's grown up, sophisticated and filled with raw emotion. Listen to it directly after Pioneer & The Good Love, and the progression is natural and expected even. But if you're an old fan hoping to hear The Maine going back to their upbeat pop punk routes, look elsewhere. It's not that this album doesn't have it's fair share of songs that you can't help but jump around to, because songs Love and Drugs, Run and White Walls certainly provide that, but it's easy to see what a long way the band have come since their punk pop roots. It wasn't quite what I expected - I'm not sure what I expected really - but it definitely didn't disappoint. It's got a very 90s alternative rock feel to it and although I immediately loved it on my first listen, I've found that it's continued to grow on me more ever since. It's definitely an album that is awesome to begin with, but only seems to improve more and more with every listen.

The band struggled with their last album, basically recording the whole thing in secret and then releasing it themselves because they knew it wouldn't fit in with what the record label wanted. Although I love all their albums, even their very first ones and the ones produced under labels they are no longer with, it's easy to understand that they've really let go and completely gone ahead with what they think represents them right now on this album. They haven't held back to please a record label or fans used to the old stuff. They've not been afraid to try something new and go deeper and I really love that fact.

Forever Halloween is very raw and, as the band have continually stated, it's also very human. It was recorded with all band members present in one room playing together, as opposed to each member recording their different parts then putting the song together. In a sense this makes it a lot more honest ; they haven't relied on a computer or special effects to disguise their mistakes, with Forever Halloween what you see is what you get. It's upfront and also slightly experimental.

I won't go into detail about every song but there are a few in particular that stood out for me, if even because I feel like I don't quite understand the other ones yet or haven't listened to the lyrics well enough! To begin with, Run has an amazing opening beat that you can't help immediately tapping and nodding along to. The mood is kind of mystical, the lyrics talking about demons and how the moon invites the madness but if I'm honest it's really just one of those real awesome songs that you can't help but rock out to.

I really loved White Walls. At first I thought it signified the innocence of a relationship ; full of mistakes but the desperate need to not give up on each other. Front man and singer John O'Callaghan sings 'I'm just a kid, don't walk away', almost begging that the fact that he's still young and can still make mistakes be understood. But when I watched the videos explaining about each song, John talked about how it was actually about the way you grow up and take on your own responsibilities but still always have that feeling of needing your family or your mum or just having a little bit of help every now and then. (Note - I wasn't completely off then!)

Happy is ironic in that its upbeat and very happy sounding when in fact it's about being alone. It's almost as if it's trying to say that being alone sucks, a lot, and sometimes you might be desperate to find someone but it's still okay. And it's definitely okay to admit feeling like this. The theme continues on in Kennedy Curse where John O'Callaghan sings about not feeling a thing and being desperate for someone to take his heart. Don't worry John, I'll be your girlfriend! Nonetheless, whether he's really that lonely or not, it makes for great music and moving lyrics.

Birthday in Los Angeles is another firm favourite. It's very casual and simple, a stark contrast set slap bang in the middle of an album which is pretty much filled with deeper heavier songs. In a way it's quite soothing too and very stripped down to the basics, almost as if its just a man and his guitar. There's not much I can say about these lyrics, I've heard that this song is both about John's feelings towards LA and how LA is a metaphor for a girl. Perhaps it's both. (Then again I've been told he did once claim that their song Inside of You, which is clearly about sex, was actually about his dead dog..so who knows)

The 'ballad' of the album, if you will, is These Four Words. At first with the slow melody and beautiful piano notes, you'd expect it to be romantic, if a little sad. However it soon transpires that it's about admitting to yourself or someone else that you don't love them. It's very raw and emotional. It's sad because it begs the belief that sometimes being the dumper rather then the dumpee is much harder out of the two. Having to turn around and tell someone you're with that you don't love them, admitting that the relationship has fallen apart and you've fallen out of love with them is a horrible, heart breaking experience and this song conveys that really well. I think this song can affect almost everyone on some level but it's a song that is rarely ever sang. We often listen to songs about being heartbroken and not being able to fix things, but rarely do we hear about what its like to be the one that cares less, to listen to a man singing about how it feels when someone loves you more than you love them.

Note - I do have to quote ATP's comment/review on These Four Words as I feel this explains it a lot better then I did.

"The must-hear track of Forever Halloween is 'These Four Words'. Accompanied by nothing but a piano, front man John O'Callaghan sings about four words, opposed to the three we are so accustomed to musicians singing about. Not 'I love you', but 'I don't love you'. The result is nothing short of haunting..."

Click here for the source of this quote.

Finally, the final song on the album, Forever Halloween, sums up and explains the album title perfectly. It talks about how we all wear a costume, we all put on a brave face when we've been hurt, we all fake confidence when talking to the person we like, we always pretend and act and insist we're okay, even when we're not. In my personal opinion, this album has stripped down all of these beliefs and personas to give us something that is completely raw and pure from this band. I don't think I'm right (but isn't that one of the best parts of music, analysing something yourself?), but I think the title is kind of ironic in that it's on Halloween that we only really own up and admit to putting on a costume and do it willingly. Perhaps Forever Halloween represents that time when we admit this and begin to understand the differences between a costume we wear and who we really are. It's about finally being honest and I think all the songs - and the album as a whole - represents that perfectly.

Image taken from Tumblr

www.wearethemaine.net

You can purchase or preview Forever Halloween on iTunes here. The Maine are currently on the 8123 tour with A Rocket to the Moon, Brighten and This Century.

Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin | Tumblr | Instagram 

BEAUTY REVIEW // MAYBELLINE SUPER STAY 14 HOUR LIPSTICK IN SHADE 260 ALWAYS PLUM

I purchased this fab lipstick based on the colour alone. The deep plum purple shade immediately caught my eye as it was such a beautiful shade so of course I bought it and couldn't wait to try it out. I was immensely pleased with it as soon as I tried it on. The first thing my mum said to me was 'It's quite a gothic shade - but it's you all over' which was exactly what I had thought. The deep daring colour means it isn't quite for everyone, but it is great for standing out a little or going for that punk edgy look.

As you can see, when taken with the flash and swatched on my hand, the shade seems to be much brighter and has a pink tone to it, although I wouldn't say this is a true representation of what the shade actually looks like on your lips. However you can see that the colour is very vivid and with this swatch only using two coats, less is definitely more.

The lipstick on is actually a gorgeous deep red shade which has purple undertones! It's a little more classic then other red lipsticks I've worn and I would say that in a way, even though it's quite edgy, I think it's a little vintage too. It does emthasise the lines on your lips a little up close and because the shade is quite bold, I would suggest perhaps using lipliner to line your lips before applying it. I have struggled with it a few times, trying to even out my lips on both sides and I think I will be purchasing a lipliner to wear with it in future.

However it has fast become one of my favourite shades. In real life it does look a little darker and more edgier, but I think if you're looking for a more classic shade it can be used as that too by just blotting it with a bit of tissue a couple of times. In the above photos it does look less in your face which I suppose means it can be used for whatever look you're going for! The above photos are taken using two different cameras - the top photos are taken using my actual camera and the second one, the one directly above, on my phone camera which isn't as good quality. I've done this just so you can get an idea of how the shade may look different depending on the camera, the flash used etc.

The lipstick also lasts ages and doesn't wear off easily. I wore it to a gig recently and only had to re-apply a couple of times throughout the night which is really good considering I was very sweaty moshing and dancing about so I would have thought I'd have to re-apply more then that. At one point I did find it half way up my cheek and I've got no idea whatsoever how I did this, but I was a little tipsy so I think maybe I smudged it whilst drinking my beer, haha.

Overall I do really love this lipstick, if even for the colour. I would say it reflects it's name because it does stay on for ages without smudging when I've worn it to events that don't include sweaty gigs (haha). At £6.99 I'd say it was worth it, but I wouldn't pay anything more then £10.00 for it so I think they got the price probably spot on.

Maybelline Super Stay 14 Hour Lipstick in shade Always Plum is available from Superdrug. 

P.S Feel free to check out the beauty reviews tag for some more beauty related posts and beauty reviews!

BOOK REVIEW // NICK & NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST

I actually did the whole thing backwards and watched (and reviewed!) the film before I read the book, but never mind. I loved the film and thought it was so quirky, so figured the book would be just as amazing. Thankfully I was right.

Image taken from Google

In case you haven't read my review of the film (go do it!), it's generally about a pair of teenagers, Nick & Norah, who clash together and basically have this infinite night/adventure together. I say they clash together, not in a bad way but in the way in that it's the start of something big, as opposed to clashing together in the fighting sense. The film storyline actually defers a little from the book, but overall it's themed around music, love and one long infinite night filled with adventures. What more could you want?

The blurb reads;

Nick's just seen the girl who dumped him walk in...with a new guy. What else can he do but ask the strange girl next to him to be his girlfriend for the next five minutes?

Norah would do anything to avoid conversation with the not not-friend girl who dumped Nick...and to get over the Evil Ex whom Norah never really totally dumped. What else can she do but answer Nick's question by making out with him?

With one electric, unexpected kiss, the five-minute couple of Nick and Norah set off on an uncharted adventure called the "first date" that will turn into an infinite night of falling in and out (and in and out, and maybe in and maybe out) of love. Theirs is a first date of music, laughter, heartache, confusion, passion, taxi driver wisdom, and a jacket named Salvatore. And if course a killer soundtrack.

As Nick and Norah wander through the middle-of-the-night mystic maze of Manhattan, they share the kind of night you never want to end, where every minute counts and every moment flickers between love and disaster.

First of all, I love the cover of this book. It's so simple yet eye-catching. It's a beautiful colour and I love how the iPod earphones make a heart shape, as well as the cool fonts of the title. The cover is actually so predictable because it covers exactly everything that the book is about ; music, love, the characters of Nick & Norah, and their infinite night. 

The story is co-written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, Rachel writing Norah's chapters and David's writing Nick's. The book alternates between each characters point of view which is less common, but even more so for me because I've never really read a book that uses this concept. I really enjoyed the way it was written, it was nice to get into both characters head and see the way they were both dissecting situations differently. It made it easier to really capture the way the two characters (and men and woman in general) see things, think about things and analyze things so differently when it comes to love and dating. It also helped understand their slight awkwardness a bit better, which again, I loved in this book. Their characters were very off and on; at points Nick seemed really into Norah where she was backing off a little and at other times it was the other way around. It was extremely realistic in this sense and I loved that it didn't follow the typical storyline of the couple clicking immediately and that being that. It was refreshing to see that not everything went to plan; things Norah was constantly second guessing Nick's actions and words when really he's just struggling to juggle getting over his ex and liking Norah at the same time. 

Whilst inititally Nick's character annoyed me a little bit in the film with his inability to move on from his ex, in this book I loved him right away. Perhaps it was because I was getting right in his head and understanding how he actually felt and still hurt a little. His character was a lot more deep too and I loved that.

Norah was witty and so much cooler in the book than in the film (not that she wasn't cool in the film!) and I loved her character even more when reading the book. The way she talks and just some of the random phrases she uses to explain things are hilarious. She's just like any other girl; scared to fall for this guy in case she gets hurt, even calling herself a loser when what she says or does doesn't go to plan and she feels stupid for initiating it. It was great reading about her own second thoughts because though we've all moved on and aren't teenagers anymore dealing with these insecurities or double guessing so severely, they're always still there when it comes to being with someone we like, no matter how grown up we are.

There were quite a few differences between the book and the film, but none so major that the storyline was effected. For example, Tris's character is a little nicer and we come to understand that she dumped Nick because she didn't love him enough and didn't want to continue hurting him when he could instead be happy with someone else. In the end she somewhat gives the couple their blessing. In the film, Tris and Norah do have a heart to heart moment, suggesting that they sometimes forget that they're better friends then they realize, but in the book they get on a little better and this is shown more. The night in the book isn't about finding Norah's drunk friend either. Although they are still kind of pushed together in the book, the outcome is still the same.

Overall it was just a great story and I loved everything about it. After reading the story, it was so obvious that no one other than Michael Cera and Kat Dennings could have played these characters. The book was great because it just captured the whole story a lot better, everything was just that more deep and the characters were so easy to understand. 

I would suggest this book to anyone; regardless of whether you've seen the film or not. It's a short book and despite the fact that it's quite deep, it's easy to read. It's funny and passionate and makes you want to go on your own infinite adventure, if even just to capture that feeling of a first love again. I also loved The Acknowledgements Playlist which was a cute idea.

This book effortlessly captured the innocence and clumsiness of a first love, and most definitely the  anticipation and excitement of the adventures we experience on those random seemingly neverending nights.

And here are some of my favourite quotes from the book!

When is a night over? Is it the start of sunrise or the end of it? Is it when you finally go to sleep or simply when you realize you have to? When the club closes or when everyone leaves? Normally, I keep these kinds of questions to myself. But this time, I ask Norah.

"It's over when you decide it's over," she says. "When you call it a night. The rest is just a matter of where the sun is in the sky. That has nothing to do with us."

"So what do you have to confess now?"

I don't know why I'm saying any of this, except that it's the truth.

"I'm confessing that I don't know if I'm ready for this."

"What is 'this'?"

Being open. Being hurt. Liking. Not being liked. Seeing the flicker on. Seeing the flicker off. Leaping. Falling. Crashing.

"Norah. I don't know if I'm ready for Norah."

I feel like I could drown in this, in him. He's lit by the machine he's leaning against, but I have fallen into darkness, not the darkness of the deranged or the depressed, but the darkness of the consumed, where all I can see, hear, taste, feel, is the probe of our mouths and hands, the warmth of our bodies pressed against each other, the urgency of his wanting, my wanting. It's like nothing else exists in the world right now except him, me, touching, exploring, longing, needing, sharing, having. So much for my straight-edge vow, because I am drunk on our ing's. If Nick's part of 'em, I want 'em, they're mine.

If I do this, it will be jumping into the middle of the mosh pit. Dangerous. Exhilarating. Terrifying. It's only a fucking turnstile, but what if I don't make it to the other side. Some people never make it out of the mosh alive.
The deafening screech of a train brakes announces the train is in the station.
Nick says, "Are we in this or not?"
To throw myself into the breach of our great divide will be a leap of faith.
I grab hold of his warm hand. Deep breath.
Ready.
Set.
Jump.

P.S Check out the Book Reviews tag for more book reviews! Also, please do visit Hanging On Every Word - another blog I'm part of. It's a collaborative book review blog between myself and some other bloggers and there are some great reviews on there! Please do check it out!

FILM REVIEW // NICK & NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST

Image from Google

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist has been a favourite movie of mine for a few years now and I don't think I'll ever grow tired of it. Although at first it looks like a typical rom-com movie, it's anything but. It's quirky and different and is one of those indie films that has an amazing soundtrack. It is based on the novel of the same name by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (I'll be reviewing the book soon too so keep an eye out!)

The film follows two teenagers - Nick and Norah - over the course of a night where they are kind of forced together to find Norah's drunken best friend who had gone missing, and to find the secret venue where their favourite band will be playing. The night is an humourous adventure from start to finish as the two get to know each other better. Nick is dealing with an ex girlfriend who he can't get over, whereas Norah is stuck in a 'relationship' which isn't making her happy. It's obvious to everyone but them that each other is the answer ; but somehow the two of them can't see it.

I really loved that their characters didn't exactly click right away. In so many rom-coms we see couples clicking immediately and feeling that attraction when in reality this rarely ever happens - when you meet someone you end up liking, it doesn't always get off to a good start. I loved that this film was much more realistic. Nick is still getting over his ex so of course he doesn't fall for Norah right away and likewise she finds his inability to move on annoying.

In fact, together, the two are quite awkward which I absolutely loved. We rarely see this in films but it's so refreshing and realistic to see them both shy and awkward around each other. But it's adorable to watch - it isn't off putting or embarassing - it's sweet.

At first I found the character of Nick annoying in this way too, frustrated that he couldn't see how wrong his ex girlfriend was for him. I also felt his role had been done far too many times by Michael Cera and it wasn't anything new. However, Michael Cera did play the role well and by the end of the film, just like Nick finally managed to see what was right in front of him, I found myself loving the character by the end. I think again this was because it was so realistic ; as he tended to realize it was time to move on, his annoying puppy dog love for his ex faded - which was essentially annoying me about the character.

Image from Google

The character of Nick's ex girlfriend, Tris, was very annoying, but obviously that was the whole point. The actress who played her, Alexis Dziena, played the role very well and I think even by the end of the film I felt sorry for her just a little. She clearly didn't know what she wanted - she didn't want Nick anymore, but she didn't want anyone else to have him either. 

The film very much felt like an adventure and I felt like I was along for the ride with the two characters too. We've all had never ending nights where we end up doing the most random things ; looking after our drunk best friend, desperate to see some good bands with some good company - I loved the whole premise of the film, as well as the messages behind it.

The film had an amazing soundtrack too - there was a real mix of indie, rock and upbeat music that reflected the characters perfectly. I also loved the characters of Nick's band (and Lethario!) who were hilarious - I'd do anything to have friends like that. They were great in that they kind of just took Norah under their wing and insisted on helping getting her and Nick together because they knew right away she was right for him.

I'd definitely recommend this film - its fun, lighthearted and has an awesome soundtrack so if anything, you'll definitely get into some new bands by watching this film. It's also fun to watch just to see Kat Dennings in such a different role compared to what she normally does. To most people this film would just be a rom-com, but for anyone who likes anything different it's definitely a quirky indie film worth a watch.

Finally, the film has some amazing quotes. Here are my favourites. 

Nick: You don't have to yell. It's not a train station. We're in a tiny car.

Thom: Would someone mind telling me where we're going?

Norah: You know how some people like to eat at the same places?

Nick: Yeah.

Norah: Well Caroline likes to barf in the same places.

Norah: Are you sad that we missed it?

Nick: We didn't miss it. This *is* it. 

Thom: You just haven't figured it out yet, have you?

Nick: What?

Thom: ...The big picture!

Nick: I guess not.

Thom: The Beatles.

Nick: What about them?

Thom: This. *He grabs Nick's hand* Look, other bands, they want to make it about sex or pain, but you know, The Beatles, they had it all figured out, okay? "I Want to Hold Your Hand." The first thing. It's effing brilliant, right?...That's what everybody wants, Nicky. They don't want a twenty-four-hour hump sesh, they don't want to be married to you for a hundred years. They just want to hold your hand.

Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin | Tumblr | Instagram  

P.S Check out the Film Reviews tag for a mooch at some of my other reviewed films!

Book Review of Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Back in September I finally got to read Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. I'd heard rave reviews about it, a lot of people had been discussing it and talking about the issues raised within the books pages. Not long after reading it, I discovered it was being made into a film - which is out at the cinema now. So if you haven't heard of the book the chances are you've probably heard about or watched the film! The film is actually a rom-com, whereas the book is a lot more darker and thought provoking, and I hope to see and review the film too. I'm interested to see how it compares to the book, although I would have loved to see the film being made within that darker genre as I feel being a rom-com it may not do the book as much justice.

The blurb reads -

'R' is a zombie. He has no name, no memories and no pulse, but he has dreams. He is a little different from his fellow Dead.

Amongst the ruins of an abandoned city, R meets a girl. Her name is Julie and she is the opposite of everything he knows - warm and bright and very much alive, she is a burst of colour in a dreary grey landscape. For reasons he can't understand, R chooses to save Julie instead of eating her, and a tense yet strangely tender relationship begins.

This has never happened before. It breaks the rules and defies logic, but R is no longer content with life in the grave. He wants to breathe again, he wants to live, and Julie wants to help him. But their grim, rotting world won't be changed without a fight...

It took me a good few weeks to read this book which is actually kind of odd for me as normally I'll read a book within days or a week. It wasn't that I didn't like it - I actually really enjoyed this book - but it was more the fact that it was so deep and dark that it was something I found I had to take a break from every so often. I found it was the type of book that needed your full attention - I couldn't read it whilst on the bus on the way to work for example or whilst half watching TV. It was very heavy if that makes sense.

I generally thought the idea behind the storyline was fantastic. I've not really seen a book (or many other things for that matter) covering the idea/issues both after a zombie apocaylpse or by focusing on the zombie. This book focuses on R who is a zombie and is written from his point of view which is so interesting simply because it's so different. I imagine the author would have struggled with this quite a bit, but honestly massive props to him for not only attempting it but managing to do it very well!

Despite the fact that R is a zombie, it's very easy to sympathize with him and feel sorry for him. I doubt many people have actually imagined what it must be like to be a zombie from a more neutral point of view - the fact that zombies need to eat human flesh to survive and that it's not really their choice to become monsters. None the less, a lot of the issues raised in this book are thought provoking.

I thought it was oddly romantic too, in a very weird sense. The blurb reads that Julie is a 'burst of colour in a dreary grey landscape' - and at the end of the day, isn't that love exactly? When the world is okay, not amazing but not horrible either, but when you meet someone special it just becomes that little bit better and brighter?

I found some parts of this book actually quite depressing, especially when it forced me to think about the lifestyle and purpose of a zombie and things from their point of view. When I stopped to think about the fact that these zombies were once actual people and now didn't even live properly - both in the sense that they didn't 'live' their live and in the sense that they're technically 'undead' - well it was quite sad. The idea that they had no purpose whatsoever and just...wandered absolutely terrified me to no end. No memories. No names. No persona. They just...are.

There isn't much I can say about this book without ruining the plot line apart from the fact I'd definitely suggest reading it. It's not for everyone, but it is very different, and the type of story I could re-read a few times over even though I know how it ends. I'm very intrigued to see how the film compares to it and I have a lot of respect for the book, simply for how tough it must have been to write and just how interesting it is to see Isaac Marion push the boundaries and write about this type of subject.

P.S Check out the Book Reviews tag for more book reviews! Also, please do visit Hanging On Every Word - another blog I'm part of. It's a collaborative book review blog between myself and some other bloggers and there are some great reviews on there! Please do check it out!