Reviewing the Leuchtturm 1917 Journal

Hi, I was asked what I wanted for Christmas and did the minimum research into a bullet journal worthy notebook that was A5 and had dotted pages. I came across the Leuchtturm 1917 which seems on watching a few YouTube videos to be one of the main bullet journal choices.

I opted for the black version partly because it was the cheapest and didn't want to waste money if I don't end up using it and because black looks stylish. I like the sleekness of the colour so I'm happy with my choice. The journal is hard back with a really soft waterproof feeling covering and is held shut by an elastic ribbon.

This is the perfect notebook to use as a bullet journal as it has preset index pages and all the pages are numbered (which makes life a lot easier). Extra features that I didn't know where even a part of this journal and which make it an instant repurchase are the double ribbon for page marking and the envelope pouch at the back of the journal for storing mementos and journal equipment. I can imagine once fully emerged in the way of the bullet journal one ribbon would not be enough and a stencil or ruler are pretty much required. It also came with some stickers so you can archive it once you're finished with it.

The little I have written in the book using a dark blue Stabilo point 88 pen hasn't bled through and while it is visible on the other side it's not distracting once other information is added. I really want to invest in some new pens to use in the journal and I feel a little silly for not foreseeing this issue (hence why I'm writing in blue, but I like it).

Overall I think this was a great investment and as long as I stick with actually using the journal worth every penny. Next year I think I'll pick one of the more adventurous colours like the yellow or lime green.

Let me know if you bullet journal and which journal you use?

 Sam

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Lush Review | Northern Lights Bath Bomb

Hi, Today I've got a little review of the Northern Lights bath bomb which was one of many Lush products I received for Christmas. This product was part of the Christmas range so is no longer available but I still wanted to share my opinion. Northern Lights was re-released with a new look design after it's much longer and thinner original was prone to breaking and as such ruining the visual effect of this bath bomb.

Northern Lights Bath Bomb

The bath bomb contains a mixture of Jasmine Absolute and Ylang Ylang Oil which made the water really silky and smelt great. Each end of the bath bomb is filled with either blue or yellow which work to create a firework display in the bath water. Design wise this is a really interesting bath bomb, it acts in a totally different way to normal designs twisting and creating spirels of colour.

My biggest issue with this bath bomb was once all the lovely coloured foam dispersed you're left with this weird green/red water which just wasn't that nice to look at. I'd like this bath bomb more if it had a surprise inside like some stars or a little bit of glitter, it would have just finished it off. I enjoyed the visual effect of the bath bomb but that's about all, it's not one I'll rush to try again.

 Have you tried the Lush Northern Lights bath bomb?

Sam

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Reading Roundup | December Book Reviews

Hi, I did it I completed my pledged 35 books and today I'm sharing my reviews of the last three books of 2016. I'm aiming for 35 books again this year so I need to get reading. If you want to know what my favourite books of last year where check out my post 2016 In Books | My Favourite Books This Year.

December Reading Roundup - Year Book Count 35!

The Big Lie

Author - Julie Mayhew

Page Count - 323

First Published - 2015  

I have a habit of coming across books on Goodreads liking the synopsis and then forgetting what they are about but knowing that I want to read it. On my last visit to my local library I picked out 'The Big Lie' which is basically a story asking what if the Nazi's had won the war and Britain was now part of the Greater German Reich.

Jessika Keller is a good girl with the perfect life set out in front of her. Jessika is naive, believing everything she is told. She follows rules to the tee and is forced to choose where her loyalties stand on a daily basis. One of the more unexpected plot lines was Jessika's forbidden sexuality, this story has strong LGBT themes. Her ultimate sacrifice is who does she stand by? her family, her best friend or her country.

The concept for the story is not new but the way it's told from a young females perspective is. Maybe I loved this book so much because I wasn't expecting to, the subject really got me thinking. It's a while after reading this book that I'm writing this review and the story is still with me. I'd really recommend that you put it on your 2017 TBR.

Lament

Author - Maggie Stiefvater

Page Count - 356

First Published - 2011
 

I have mixed feeling about this book, it was neither good or bad I just didn't connect with the characters or the story. I picked 'Lament' and it's follow up 'Ballad' back in March from a charity shop. If I saw them now I'd leave them behind as I know that I just can't read supernatural romance books anymore.

The books romance is very close to that of Bella in Twilight. The female character in this case named Dee just can't help but be attracted to Luke. Dee is a cloverhand which means she can see faeries. One day Luke turns up and everything she knew about her world changes, it comes to light that Luke is really an assassin sent to murder her.

My issue with the story was that nothing was every really explained, a lot of faerie related terminology is used but then not expanded on. Dee is all too ready to just accept the faerie realm like it's a normal occurrence. There are unexplained connections between characters which just annoyed me as why even have them if there's no meaning behind it. Overall it was a quick read and not unreadable but I'm not rushing to read 'Ballad'.

The Hogfather

Author - Terry Pratchett

Page Count - 445

First Published - 1996
 

Well this is a weird book to review as I've already got an idea about the characters and the city of Ankh-Morpork for reading previous disc world books. I don't know if I'd have enjoyed it as much if I didn't know Pratchett's writing style. It's a good stand alone book with enough relatable subject matter referring to Christmas and the general festive feeling that the story is easy to follow.

Someone has hired an assassin to rid the world of The Hogfather so Death has donned his red suit to remind the humans about their need to believe. Pratchett's books are well known for there dark humor and this book is no exception. I'm going to see if I can find the televised version to compare.

What's the first book of the New Year you're reading?

Sam

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Happy New Year!

Hi, Happy New Year! So it's 2017 another year full of possibilities and adventures waiting to happen. I want to say a massive thank you for reading my blog last year and giving me the motivation to continue to blog. I hope this year will be my best yet for blogging and that you'll stick around to enjoy it with me. I don't intent to have any new years resolutions, I do like goals though so for now here's my goals for the month ahead.

Goals for January

• Learn to used and love the bullet journal
• Make a step towards some home renovation
• Do something different
• Lose the Christmas weight I've gained
• Start planning for my Birthday
• Look for a challenge to take part in
• Go for a walk
• Invite my parents round for a meal
• Make sure I have at least one pamper night
• Have some screen free time

So here's to the future and things to come, good luck with all your resolutions if you've made some. With the new year comes the idea of new starts and I couldn't be in a happier place to be starting the year to come.

Did you have a good New Years eve? You got anything you're looking forward to this year?

Sam

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2016 In Books | What I Read

Hi, Another year almost over and another 35 books read. I completed my Goodreads challenge today with a mad reading session to get the final book finished (I always forget how much time Christmas takes up). I've added my overall stars out of five on the books I've read this past year so you can see what I've enjoyed the most.

2016 Pledged Books

1. Infinite Sky - C.J. Flood ★★★☆☆

2. Divergent - Veronica Roth ★★★★★

3. Insurgent - Veronica Roth ★★★★★
4. It’s Not Me, It’s You - Mhairi McFarlane ★★★☆☆

5. Panic - Lauren Oliver ★★★☆☆

6. Allegiant - Veronica Roth ★★★★☆

7. The Fire Sermon - Francesca Haig ★★★☆☆

8. The Year of the Rat - Clare Furniss ★★★☆☆
9. Room - Emma Donoghue ★★★★☆

10. All the Rage - Courtney Summers ★★★★☆

 11. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K. Rowling ★★★★☆

12. The Martian - Andy Weir ★★★☆☆

13. The Girl with All the Gifts - M.R. Carey ★★★★★

14. The Glittering Art of Falling Apart - Ilana Fox ★★★★★
15. Just a Girl, Standing in Front of a Boy - Lucy-Anne Holmes ★★★★☆

 16. The Age of Miracles - Karen Thompson Walker ★★★★☆

17. What Milo Saw - Virginia Macgregor ★★★☆☆

18. The Crooked House - Christobel Kent ★★☆☆☆

19. Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater ★★★☆☆

20. Linger - Maggie Stiefvater ★★★★☆

21. Forever - Maggie Stiefvater ★★★★☆
22. Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel - Jane Costello ★★★★☆

23. The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton ★★★☆☆

24. Sinner - Maggie Stiefvater ★★★★☆
25. Soulmates - Holly Bourne ★★★★☆

 26. A Step Towards Falling - Cammie McGovern ★★★★☆

27. What's a Girl Gotta Do? - Holly Bourne ★★★★☆
28. Four: A Divergent Story Collection - Veronica Roth ★★★☆☆
29. This Last Kiss - Madeleine Reiss ★★★★★
30. Armada - Ernest Cline ★★★☆☆

 31. Asking for it - Louise O'Neill ★★★☆☆
32. I’ll give you the sun - Jandy Nelson ★★★★☆
33. The Big Lie - Julie Mayhew ★★★★★
34. Lament - Maggie Stiefvater ★★★☆☆
35. The Hogfather - Terry Pratchett ★★★☆☆

Some of my favorite books from this year where the most unexpected. The books that I gave five stars too where The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey, The Glittering Art of Falling Apart by Ilana Fox, The first two books in the Divergent series by Veronica Roth, This Last Kiss by Madeleine Reiss and lastly The Big Lie by Julie Mayhew.

Books that I didn't rate as high but I'd recommend everyone reads include The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker, All the Rage by Courtney Summers, What's a Girl Gotta Do? by Holly Bourne, Asking for it by Louise O'Neill and I’ll give you the sun by Jandy Nelson.

I'm already planning my TBR for 2017 and I'm so looking forward to getting ahead on next years reading challenge. I'm thinking about sharing my TBR, would this be something you're interested in seeing?

Sam 

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The Night Before Christmas | #BLOGMAS Day 24

Hi, Merry Christmas for tomorrow! I made it! 24 days of blog posts. I'm going to take a small blogging break while I celebrate with family and friends. My plan now is to relax and plan ahead both with my blog and my home renovation. I've still got to finish my final book of the year for my Goodreads challenge (I've chosen the Hogfather). I'm sure I'll be back before the new year at least with a post on book reviews.

Here's a round up of all my posts from the past 23 days

Doing Advent Differently #ReverseAdvent | #Blogmas Day 1
20 Festive Themed Goals | #Blogmas Day 2
Small Business Saturday | #Blogmas Day 3
Christmas Shopping Survival Guide | #Blogmas Day 4
Lush Review - Shoot For The Stars Bath Bomb | #Blogmas Day 5
7 Gift Ideas That Give Back | #Blogmas Day 6
50 Blogmas Post Ideas | #Blogmas Day 7
5 Ways To Stay Organised | #Blogmas Day 8
My Favourite Things About Christmas | #Blogmas Day 9 
Lush Review - Mistletoe Bath Bomb | #Blogmas Day 10
Who I'm Watching This Vlogmas | #Blogmas Day 11
One Year On | #Blogmas Day 12
Christmas Baking - Easy Mince Pies With A Twist | #Blogmas Day 13
My Christmas Wish List | #Blogmas Day 14
Christmas Book Suggestions | #Blogmas Day 15
The A-Z Of Christmas Tag | #Blogmas Day 16
Lush Review - Luxury Lush Pud | #Blogmas Day 17
The Five Senses of Christmas | #Blogmas Day 18
Why Staying In Is Better Than Going Out | #Blogmas Day 19
5 Ideas For Winter Days Out | #Blogmas Day 20
Christmas Decoration Sale Picks | #Blogmas Day 21
My Favourite Christmas Posts I've Read | #Blogmas Day 22
My Christmas Plans | #Blogmas Day 23

I hope you've enjoyed reading this past month! Have a great day tomorrow.

Sam

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My Christmas Plans | #BLOGMAS Day 23

Hi, How is it Christmas eve tomorrow? This month has flown and I think doing Blogmas has only made it go quicker. I'm super excited for the big day and today is my last day of work for a whole week! We're off out to celebrate with bowling and burgers, which should be a good laugh. Here are my plans for the Christmas period and things I'd like to do with my time off.

My Christmas Plans

Christmas Eve

• Donate my #ReverseAdvent box, I know I said I'd take it well in advance but times just run away with me. I'll definitely be doing this again next year.
• Do some last minuet shopping because I need more stocking fillers. I've bought the main gifts but I want something to bulk them up. I'll end up bulk buying Cadbury's selection boxes.
• Finally get round to doing my wrapping. Yes that's right I haven't even started to wrap my gifts yet and I'm so going to run out of paper or gift tags because I've left it to the last minuet.
• Visit grandparents to deliver gifts. Once I've actually bought and wrapped my gifts I need to deliver them, most people I'm seeing over the Christmas day/Boxing day time period.
• Meet up with friends for gift swaps and a catch up.

Christmas Day

• Have a lay in. While most people are jumping out of bed I'm going to be enjoying the fact I don't have to get up.
• Open presents, obviously! As a couple we haven't bought any presents which may seem weird but there's nothing we really wanted and we're saving for the house renovation.
• Go for a curry. Weird right? but that's what we're doing, I'm not even sure I'm going to be getting a proper Christmas dinner this year.
• Relax, the plan is to stick on a film and chill for the evening, hopefully with a good supply of mulled wine.

Boxing Day

• See my parents, for my second Christmas day. We plan to have party food and play games, doing the more traditional Christmas activities.
• Doing some sale shopping, Lush sale anyone? I'd like to see if there are any bargains to be had but I'm not set on spending money unless I find something really good.
• Catch up on the Christmas Day specials. As we are out Christmas day we'll miss them but this means I can watch them on my schedule. I'm looking forward to the Doctor Who episode.

The Rest Of December

• Go see all the films on my to watch list. I've got three films I really want to go see which are Moana, Passengers and Fantastic Beasts.
• Have a day out with my Sister, I have no idea what I wanna do put it will end up being shopping finished with a trip to the pub.
• Plan for the year ahead. I'd love to get ahead with blogging this year and after Blogmas I know I can do more if I just set my mind too it.

Do you have any shopping left to do?

Sam

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