Manicure Monday #2

Monday 23 December 2013

Ok, so it may have been two months since i last posted my nail art, but better late then never right?
This week I have gone all out christmassy! I think this time of year is just an excuse to have glittery nails. Even though it is an absolute pain to take off. Unfortunately I still haven't found an easy way and spend a good half an hour rubbing at my nails with nail polish remover.
So I have gone for shiny blue with little polar bears picking out all topped with a splash of glitter! Its really simple to do and, as much as i recommend getting nail art pens, it can be done with something as simple as a cocktail stick or a pin with a round end stuck into something.

Topshop 'Cosmic Karma'
Models Own nail art pens in white and black
Barry M 'Rose Quartz Glitter'




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The Fratellis

Saturday 21 December 2013

These guys have been one of my favourite bands for as long as I can remember. I was 12 when they released their first album and my dad used to listen to it. A lot of my early music taste was influenced by my dad! Except maybe Maroon 5… not sure he listened to them.
Since then The Fratellis have released two new albums with a very big gap in the middle. But during their hiatus I had Costello Music and Here We Stand on my ipod and learnt the words to pretty much all their songs. So when my housemate asked if I wanted to go see them because they were playing at manchester academy you couldn't have paid me to stay at home!



Sorry for the not so great quality phone photos!

They played about 50% from the new album and the other half were old classics. I did wish that they played a few more off the first two albums, I hadn't had a chance to properly listen to We Need Medicine yet, but it was still a fantastic set. They mixed it all up a bit and didn't play then exactly like on the albums but it just added to the charm! I loved that they came back on at the end to finish with Chelsea Dagger (surely everyone has heard this song!?) followed by A Heady Tale.
Last month I also saw Vampire Weekend supported by Noah and the Whale who were both pretty awesome. I absolutely love going to see live music, nothing can beat that feeling when you're in the middle of a crowd singing along with the lyrics of your favourite song.
What has the best gig or concert you have ever been too? Mine has to be Coldplay. I mean I have been to some amazing smaller gigs to watch some of my favourite bands play but watching Chris Martin and the rest of the band play on the stage at Etihad, with the whole crowd wearing flashing wrists bands, as the sky got dark, with my mum was pretty perfect I have to admit.

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#bloggerbookswap

Wednesday 18 December 2013

A couple of months ago Rosie from A Rosie Outlook came up with the wonderful idea to host a blogger book swap. Her idea was:

"I gather names and email addresses of people interested.  You then spend a couple of weeks trawling your local charity shops, second-hand bookshops, car boot sales, Amazon used - whatever - for two amazing books that you love. They must be good, clean copies - they don't have to be brand new but they have to be in what I would call 'very good condition' - not something that looks like it's been dropped in the bath! You then post both copies out to your allotted swapee, maybe with a little treat for them to enjoy their books with, just a suggestion!"

As soon as I read it I wanted to be involved! I have always loved reading. What is better than being completely immersed in another world where there is so much imagination and emotion? So I posted with my email address and blog and not too long later got an email telling me who I was swapping with.
My blogging partner for this little swap was Beth from The Cobalt Chaos and also The Granger Article. I have to admit that when I saw she wrote a book review blog my immediate thought was that I would never find a book that she hadn't read! But after a little thought about some of the books that I have really enjoyed and have made an impression on me I chose and sent off my two.
At the same time I received my parcel from Beth. I might have got a little bit giddy, I just love receiving post too much! Inside were two books, a small penguin book by George Orwell, a very pretty Barry M nail varnish and a lovely little postcard with her message on.
The first one I read was The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time. Now I have read this book before, but it was a long time ago and, actually, I couldn't remember what happened. But I do remember loving it so couldn't wait to read it again. It is such an interesting book. It is told in first person by a young boy with Asperger's syndrome or high end autism who finds a dead dog in his neighbours garden and decides to play Sherlock. He has a talent for maths and sees the detail in everything, but lacks insight into many simple things. Because it is in first person the writing style reflects this and that is the first thing I love about the book, it is so unique. The story itself is sad, funny, moving and heartbreaking all at the same time, it also feels so real. This is the kind of book that I could read again and again and still enjoy, I think I would find a new detail everytime I read it. I am very glad that Beth chose this book and reminded me of a childhood favourite.
The second was very different, but again had a unique writing style. It is written as a conversational monologue, it is simple yet effective. It is about a young Pakistani who went to the US to study went on to have a very impressive job and fall in love with an American women. He details the events of his life chronologically and the twists that happen to him post 9/11. The conversation is back in Pakistan between the main character and an American man and he meets, and has tea and food with. At first I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it. The narration seemed slow but it definitely builds as the story goes on, and the way you get a personal view on such a national disaster left me feeling quite 'curious'. As you go through the story you feel like you have experienced so many new situations yourself because of how articulate the story teller is. On of the aspects I loved most was the detail of the square in Lahoré where the whole conversation is set. This is a book I would not have ordinarily picked out of the shelves to read but I fell in love with the story in this book and all the feelings behind it.

Have you read or reviewed either of these books?

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It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Monday 16 December 2013

University got the better of me again. Since I last posted I have watched Catching Fire, been to Manchester's christmas markets, seen the Fratellis live, spent a weekend at home, had a number of christmas meals and socials, been to a christmas ball and a panto and finally come home for christmas! I wish I could say coming home for christmas means a lovely holiday off university and away from work unfortunately it's not. I have 4 exams in January and the revision has already begun!
Over the next month though I am really hoping to write some posts about the things I have been doing each week. I love reading back about those things myself in the future, but it also makes me happy that I can share my experiences with others.
But to start with here are a couple of quick festive snaps. I cannot wait for christmas!!

Models Own - Pukka Purple with a top coat of Ibiza Mix 

Santas grotto in the Arndale! 

Elfie selfie! (credit to my mum for that one) 

Our house christmas dinner - very proud we managed to cook this!

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