Book Haul | Amazon 3 for £10 Offer

Hi, where do you shop for your books? the first place I check when I want a book is Amazon. It has to be the best place for checking current prices. While searching for some titles for a previous post about my summer reading list (read it here) I found that Amazon have a three paper backs for £10 offer which I couldn't resist, as a result I now have plenty of reading material for the summer months. These are the books that I bough.

Ways to Live Forever - Sally Nicholls

Amazon - £6.29

Page Count: 224
This is quite a thin book and I'm pretty sure it's a children's book, it was the winner of the Waterstones children's book price. The book is made up of a selection of lists and diary entries. The story is about a boy with leukemia trying to make scene of everything, I image even though this is a kids book it's going to have some really sad parts.

A Flash of Blue - Maria Farrer

Amazon - £7.99
Page Count: 352

This is the book I'm most looking forward to reading and the one I will probably start with. The cover is really striking (the lines are shiny) and fits with the title perfectly. This book is about a girl who's brother dies in a car crash and she blames herself for his death, the story then leads into how she copes with his passing and her guilt.

The Broken - Tamar Cohen

Amazon - £5.24
Page Count: 400
The biggest of the books I purchased and the only one which featured on my summer reading list. This will be a good book for me to try out a new genre of story telling. This is a story about relationships, particularly those of married couples that are friends, and what happens when the truth comes out.

Because there was the three for £10 offer on I picked the most expensive books that I wanted to read to get the best saving. Now I can't wait for my little camping trip to York to get stuck into these. Once I've read them I will do a book review and let you know my thoughts.

Have you bought any books recently that you would recommend?

Sam

Want to see more posts follow on 

Bloglovin

Summer Reading List

Hi, with summer just around the corner I decided to put together a small list of books I would like to read over the coming months (I'm a slow reader so I doubt I'll read them all). Some of these are old books that I've seen around and not had the time to read yet or new books which I don't want to miss out on. During the summer months I can get some devoted reading time in, hopefully while sat in the summer sunshine.

One Day By David Nicholls

£2.00 - Amazon

A book that has always been quite high on my reading wishlist but I just haven't had the time. I am yet too see the film because of this as I feel it spoils the book, so once I've finished reading it I can finally watch the film adaptation. A story about two people who meet up for one day every year for 20 years.

Station Eleven By Emily St. John Mandel

£3.85 - Amazon

I was introduced to this book via a blog review. I love apocalypse stories so this is right up my street and look at the cover it's such a pretty deer image. A story about preserving what is precious once a deadly virus hits.

The Broken By Tamar Cohen

£5.24 - Amazon

I'm not really a reader of psychological stories but I figured I'd give this one a chance. It is based around the relationship of two married couples and what happens when their relationships break down.

How to Build a Girl By Caitlin Moran

£3.85 - Amazon

This book doesn't have the best reviews but I'm drawn too it regardless, who knows what's behind the cover of a book until you open it and read it. I don't like to take other peoples opinions on books too seriously. This is the story about a 14 year old girl with the intention of killing herself.

A Storm of Swords - George RR Marten
7 Book Box Set £32.50 - Amazon

The third book in the series I'm so far behind on the story and I was very late into the whole Game of Thrones thing. I only started watching the TV series after the first two series had aired and finished but I joined the masses on the release of the third series to get my weekly Game of Thrones fix and have been hooked since. As there are a few differences between the books and TV version there's no harm in reading as well as watching this epic story.

What will you be reading this summer?

Sam

Want to see more posts follow on 

Bloglovin

Festival Survival Kit #2 | Toiletries

Hi, Today I'm continuing with my festival survival kit focusing on toiletries. These are the items you will need to keep yourself feeling as clean as possible and feeling good. There are always showers available so the amount of toiletries you want to take is totally up to you but I'd advise as little as possible. Most Festival have a supermarket and other merchant stalls where basic items are available if you decided to stock up at the festival instead of traveling with them, but be aware that festivals have inflated prices so expect to pay more than normal.

Wet wipes are your best friend. I've never really dared to venture in the shower area so if you don't fancy that either wet wipes all the way. I needed these the most to keep clean due to the amount of mud and dust at festivals.

Suncream is very important. You might see a little or a lot of sun but there's nothing worse than a nasty sunburn to ruin the fun. Suncream is one of those items which can be heavy and bulky to carry and will most defiantly be available to purchase at the festival Supermarket, choices will be limited.

Toilet roll is also something you can buy on site but I advise you to take a few packs of tissues with you as well. After the first day you can bet there will be no loo roll anywhere, so have your own ready. Don't forget hand sanitizer.

Dry shampoo is another must, if you're not daring to use the showers, to keep your hair looking fresh. Also bring a selection of hair ties and grips to style your hair, or in my case try and tame it.

If you've got longer hair get a wide tooth comb. I got mine from the Body shop and it saved my hair. When you're not washing your hair normally it gets knotty, this comb saved me from pulling half my hair out, the key is to start at the bottom and work your way to the top layer of hair or you'll just make the knots bigger.

Just because you're not showering doesn't mean you can't smell nice, take perfume samples with you. In the past I've collected a few magazine samples and used one a day to keep myself smelling nice (who am I kidding, at least everyone smells as bad).

Painkillers and plaster for those ouch moments. Everyone over does it at a festival so having pain killers will help you get through the weekend. Also I seem to have an issue with tent pegs and accidents always happen so have some plaster on hand.

Bring a small compact mirror with you, if you don't the only time you'll see your face is in the portaloos, just saying.

Other basic items include a good deodorant, I find rollon are easier to pack. Moisturizer decanted into a small container so it's easier to pack, or buy a miniature product. Lip balm because your lips will chap due to dehydration, no one drinks enough water and on that note drink water!!. A tooth brush and paste, nothing nicer than clean teeth.

Packing Check List

• Wet Wipes
• Dry shampoo
• Moisturizer
• Suncream
• Wide tooth comb
• Tooth Brush/Paste
• Deodorant
• Lip Balm
• Perfume sample
• Painkillers
• Plasters
• Hair ties and Grips
• Small Mirror
• Hand Sanitizer
• Packs of Tissues

So here are my essentials when packing for a festival, which item could you not live without?

Sam

Want to see more posts follow on 

Bloglovin

Freebie #2 | Pukka Tea Sample

Hi, This week I received a free sample pack of Pukka tea through the post. I don't drink normal tea or coffee so alternatives are always high on my list of things to try. If you would like your own sample pack apply here while you can. I applied for the sample weeks ago, postal samples can take up to a month to arrive, if they ever do, by which point I've totally forgotten what I applied for. This makes product samples like this a real treat. I especially like free tea samples as it's a great way to try different kinds without having to make the commitment to a whole box of a flavour you might not like. In the past I've had samples for a single tea bag which is good but this sample pack is amazing as it contains five totally different tea flavours to try.

The pack contains:

• Peppermint and Licorice - A sweet and deliciously refreshing organic thrill.
• Detox - A clean fusion of organic aniseed, fennel and cardamon.
• Three Mint - A verdant fusion of organic Peppermint, Spearmint and Fieldmint.
• Lemon, Ginger and Manuka honey - A welcome cup of spicy-sweet organic bliss. 
• Pukka Supreme Matcha green - A vital wellspring of organic whole leaf green tea and the finest Matcha.

The packaging of this sample is really pretty and such an exciting thing to pop through the door. I can't wait to try the selection of flavours, I will try to do a review. I think I'm most looking forward to trying the Peppermint and Liquorice as it's so different from anything I've tried before. I am really impressed by this sample pack and I might just have to go and purchase a whole box of my favorite from the bunch.

Whats your favorite type of tea?

Sam

Want to see more posts follow on 

Bloglovin

Mini Clothing Haul | H&M

Hi, today I've got a small collection of items from H&M to share with you. I love discount codes and had been waiting for one to be added to the H&M website for a while, I save items in my basket and wait for a good discount deal to come along before placing my order. This time they offered a 20% discount if you spend over £80 with free delivery. This offer has ended but they do similar offers all the time. I saw this as my opportunity to pick up a few staple pieces I had saved to my basket. I sent quite a lot of my order back, but I kept some really nice pieces.

High Waist Jeans - £14.99  | Grey High Waist Shorts - £12.99
Blue High Waist Shorts - £12.99 | Cream Knitted Cropped Jumper £7.99
White Laser Cut Pumps - £9.99

High Waist Jeans: I decided to try something new with these high waist jeans, I'm not sure I suite them because I'm so short (all legs no body) but they looked really nice on. They are a really dark denim with a slight acid wash finish, skinny fit and a really soft material.

High Waist Shorts: Both pairs are almost the same cut but the blue ones have pockets at the front. Again trying something out of my comfort zone, but I love both of them, I think I suite these better than the jeans and they make my legs seem really long. It seems I just can't resist denim in an acid wash, no matter what colour.

Pumps: These are going to be my go too summer flats. White, laser cut and super cute. They are really comfortable and fit really snug on my feet which for a 3.5 is a surprise. They have a tan coloured sole and the holes in the shoes should keep my feet nice and cool in the warmer months.

Cropped Jumper: I bought this jumper in Karki a while ago and just love how the cropped length looks on me. I decided to opt for another one in more of a summer shade, so I bought this really nice cream one. It looks a totally different colour online, I only bought it because I'd seen the true colour in store before ordering. Hopefully this will look nice with the high waist jeans and will take me right through to the winter months.

Have you got any summer clothing from H&M?

Sam

Want to see more posts follow on 

Bloglovin

Month's Mini Goals | June

Hi, Yay! June is finally here which hopefully means the warmer weather isn't far away (it's currently raining). I have decided to start giving myself a few mini goals for the month ahead. Nothing massive just little reminders to make the most of my time.

Mini goals for June

• Finish reading one book
• Have a BBQ
• Go for a long walk
• Have a spring clean
• Get rid of some stuff via donation or recycling
• Do a DIY project/create something new
• Wear a bold lip colour
• Sell some clothes online
• Take more photos of day to day life
• Try a new meal recipe

So there are my June mini goals. Most of the goals are based on me been in desperate need of having a spring clean and a massive wardrobe sort out. As a result I need to get rid of some stuff, I will sell as much as possible but everything else I will donate to friends or to charity.

 

Do you have any goals for June?

Sam

Want to see more posts follow on 

Bloglovin

Festival Survival Kit #1 | Outfits

Hi, I'm going to do a mini series on my version of a festival survival kit, I've been to Download and Leeds Festival, so I have a little experience and have come up with some tips to help you pack for any festivals you maybe going to. It's an experience waiting to happen, just remember to have fun and keep safe.

To start off this series I'm focusing on festival outfits. The problem with a British festival is you have to plan for all types of weather. I've been during heat waves and also five days of constant drizzle. Everyone wants to look as stylish as possible, but more importantly you should dress to look after yourself.

I normally pack a fresh outfit for everyday, consisting of a t-shirt, shorts and a pair of tights. This way even if you can't bring yourself to use the showers you feel a little refreshed and ready for another day, also if it rains the whole weekend you've got a nice dry outfit waiting for you. Pros of this outfit combo are you don't get too hot, it dries quickly if you get stuck in the rain and it's smaller and lighter to pack so can fit more in to your backpack.

At night it gets cold, so a hat and gloves are a must even if it's just for when you're sleeping. Also hats are amazing for those morning toilets trips before you've had time to fully wake up.

Dr Martens boots or similar are a good footwear choice but don't go wreaking them. Buy a cheaper alternative if you don't have an old weathered pair as you'll end up wrecking them. They are a good choice because they are super comfy and the bouncy sole technology looks after your feet. Also if it's muddy they don't get stuck in the mud and fall off like wellies do.

Extra socks, this is only really an issue if it's muddy, but with my experience that's more than normal. Wear two pairs at once, pull one up to keep your legs warm pull the other down over your laces. If the mud is deep it gets all over the laces and makes it impossible to remove your boots without using a whole pack of wet wipes to clean the mud from your hands after. Doing this with the socks means you can remove your socks to reveal totally mud free laces.

Take a jumper, I'd normally take a hoodie and wear it down to save room in my bag. Again this is important because even if there is a heat wave during the day once the sun goes down it gets cold. Consider taking a thin cardigan or kimono as well for during the day to keep your skin out of direct sunlight.

Other optional extras you may want to take with you to finish off your festival look are a floral crown and a pair of sunglasses. Remember not to take anything you might regret ruining.

My festival packing list based on early entry ticket

• Shorts x5
• T-shirt x5
• Tights x5
• Socks x10
• Underwear x5
• Spare Bra
• Hat
• Gloves
• Hoodie
• Cardigan/Kimono
• Dr Martens/Similar
• Floral Head Crown
• Sunglasses

Hope this is helpful, have I missed anything?

Sam

Want to see more posts follow on 

Bloglovin