Book Review #2 - Red Queen / Victoria Aveyard

This will be a quick and brief update of a review as I didn’t enjoy the book so don’t have much to discuss. So two weeks ago, James and I went shopping in Guildford and of course we visited Waterstones. The book Red queen, caught my eye. I was placed in the teen fiction section and I came across when I was looking for another book (the other selection series book – although they didn’t have the following on that I was currently reading) so instead I opted for the red queen series. I saw that they had the other two, which I believe is Glass Sword and King’s Cage. So I decided to get the first one only has I wasn’t sure how I was going to like the series. Which in a result I am glad I did because I didn’t enjoy it at all.

I have read some reviews before I purchased the book and I gathered that it would follow the same scenario of The Hunger Games and divergent series. However, I had hoped that it would have some unique aspect to it. Without giving spoilers away, the difference to it are they have a division of silvers and reds. The silvers are wealthy and have some sort of power. Then the reds are lower casts. Until we meet the main character Mare, she reveals to the royalty of Silvers that she has a power to control lightning and then she is told to have a new life as a silver.

I was intrigued by the reviews and blurb of this book however when I started reading it, I found it took a while to get into. I got about half way when things started to happen and I still found it not very interesting to say the least. I don’t like criticising books, as I respect the hard work that’s gone into it, so I am not saying don’t read it etc.

Overall I liked the idea of the concept of this book and its features but I felt disappointed when I got into the book because it wasn’t what I had expected and took me some motivation to get me finish the book.

Thanks for reading.

Alice xo 

Book Review #1 The Selection Series Trilogy

THE SELECTION SERIES – (includes first 3 books, the selection; the elite; the one) NO SPOILERS!



Last week I finished reading the trilogy of the selection series written by the amazing Keira Cass. There are more books in the series along with extra novellas which I have yet to read, but I thought I’d focus on the first three books as this looks at the story of America singer. First impressions, the characters are names are odd, took me a while to get used to them, usually it doesn’t bother me but all I did was get me a while to grow with the character. These books wound me up crazy, the constant love triangle scenario and then little surprises which just pushed knowing the ending further was getting irritating, though surprisingly it got me reading chapter after chapter.

Firstly, the main character America Singer, I liked her at the beginning, her secret relationship with aspen and how she had plans to run away and get married was interesting along with the selection competition, then when she got selected as one of the thirty-five girls in running to be princess just obviously interfered with the situation.

Aspen at this point of the story was annoying, he was stubborn and selfish. He proven to America that he loved her but insisted that she applied for the selection knowing that he had a chance to lose her. However, he ended up with a happy ending which was obvious when he distanced himself further on in the book.

My favourite character was actually Celeste. This is because she was the only one that didn’t annoy me. She was feisty and stubborn, which reminded me of myself in a good way. But In the end she realised her faults and made up for them. Just I am disappointed what happened in the end and how in the end it seemed rushed.

Then lastly there’s Maxon, who is straight up my favourite character in the novel. He is so genuine, down to earth and caring, who I admire his respect to America and the other girls within the competition. I really grew to connect with him and really felt emotional when bad things happened to him. I actually said to my boyfriend ‘be more like maxon’ because I got so attached to him that I wanted him to be real. Which is why I am looking forward for this to becoming a film so I can finally put a face to him.

I’ve always found it interesting as I’m reading these books, I visually picture each scene in my head and how the characters look, which I know now that I got high expectations for the film. Especially with the casting for characters. Although Cass has created America to have long red hair, I just can’t picture that with prince Maxon.

All in all, I’m looking forward to reading the next books I the series, and know more about the different perspectives on other characters, such as Marlee, Lucy, Queen Amberly and of course the King. This is because we met the characters but we didn’t get an in depth on their views and opinions on the rebels and competition etc.

I’ve gotten back into reading and I have gotten clued to goodreads which although I review the books I read on there, I wanted to keep a log of it to easily reflect on later, so I thought I may aswell put it on my blog. If you check out my goodreads profile you can browse the books I’ve read; want to read and the genres I’m interested in.

Thanks for reading.

Alice xo 

Fashion Inspiration Book

The other day I was clearing out my room and I came across some old magazine posters and cut outs that I had used when studying fashion photography at College; I didn't want to throw them away as they were good quality and the images were some of my favourites, so I went onto Pinterest to browse for ideas that I could make some use for them. I came across a fashion moodboard that I could collage the images together, however I had no where in my room to place it, as well as my room was about to be redecorated so it wouldn't be convenient. I then decided to keep with the same concept, however produce it into a book. That day I took a trip to HobbyCraft and purchased an A4 black ringbinder sketchbook. Below is a series of images that demonstrate the pages I have produced. 

I have catogorized each page to visualize a theme, for example the 4 pages above show pages about, coats, autumnal clothing, vintage and pastel colours. I have also focused on what I personally like most; throughout the book there is a ocurring theme of vintage and girly aspects of fashion as well as of my favourite models such as Cara Delevingne and Georgia May Jagger.  

I am really pleased with the outcome of each pages and that its really easy to set up whenever or to grab a magazine and cut out my favourite inspirations. Particularly the collage of pages above, HobbyCraft HQ instagram pages have regrammed my picture with a comment that they really loved it! Which as really encouraged me to carry on, even though its not for a college project. Check out hobbycraft's instagram Here 

Thanks for reading 

Alice xo 

Autumnal Loves - Polyvore

Firstly, to introduce this post with a new website I have found, called 'Polyvore'. This is a website that enables you to create moodboards/collage of anything, ranging from fashion, beauty and art. I though this would be a creative way in showing this blogpost of listing my top loves of autumn. My most recent sets are the autumnal loves (below) and my rose gold set. If you're interested to see others that i have made and will soon make more, the link for my profile will be at the end of this blog post.  

So September is finally here and i cannot be any more happier, it also means its even more closer to Christmas! I personally love the autumnal season, as I love the cozy evenings with oversized jumpers and the fluffy blankets, then to top of the christmas movie marathons; its never to early for christmas movies!. With the polyvore website, I created a collage of my top 5 things I love most about autumn. 

1. The first being shirts; I love cotton shirts, both plaid and plain, in all colours, as they are so comfortable and makes it look like you've put alot of effort in planning your outfit! 

2. Military boots; I live in my boots, even in he summer because I love them so much, but particularly in autumn I think they look great, prior with the shirts. 

3. Red/dark lipsticks; I've recently got into darker shades of lipsticks, as I found I couldnt pull them of with braces and having such a pale complexion, but now with darker hair and being brace free, I have found shades that suit me, one of which is one of the Revlons super lustrous lipsticks.

4. Candles; Every scent of candles I love, ranging from apple spice, cinnamon and pumpkin, purely because it reminds me of Christmas.

5. Lastly is halloween, I dont go trick or treating or celebrate the season too much, but I enjoy watching horror films around this time and going to Tulleys Farm Shocktober. 

Link to Polyvore Profile - http://mynameisallie.polyvore.com/

Thanks for reading! xo

Alice 

Ginger and Pecan Biscuits

I purchased a crohns diet guide from amazon (link below) and was desperate to try out some recipes. So this weekend we tried out the ginger quinoa biscuits, however we replaced the quinoa with plain flour. We also added dry pecan nuts on top to give more taste to them, however this can be whatever you prefer, such as walnuts, hazelnuts etc. After baking these, next time I will consider adding an orange water icing to drizzle on top to balance out the spice and sweet flavours. Below is the ingredients needed to make these as well as the method that is in the book. 

You will need:
Plain/quinoa flour
Ground Ginger
Bicarbonate of Soda
Ground Cinnamon
Ground Cloves
Fine Sea Salt
Brown sugar
Unsalted Butter
1 Egg

Method:

Preheat oven at 180'c

Gently mix together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, cloves and ginger together, ensuring everything is mixed well.

In another bowl whisk the sugar and egg, to create a smooth thick mixture.

Use a wooden spoon to mix in the flour mixture until well blended.

Leave to chill in the fridge for an hour.

Divide mixture into thirty 1 inch sized balls onto a baking tray. At this stage you can add on any toppings, such as dried fruit or nut.

Bake in the oven for 9-12, until the biscuits are golden brown. 

Crohns Disease Diet Guide Book

Vanilla and Raspberry Cupcakes

I had a load of raspberries leftover from the white chocolate and raspberry blondies, so I decided to do a quick bake to use them up. I came up with simple vanilla cupcakes with vanilla and raspberry icing. They look so summer with brightly cupcake cases and a take on strawberry and cream.

You will need:

4oz Caster Sugar

4oz Self raising flour

1tsp Baking Powder

4oz Margarine 

2 Eggs 

1tsp Vanilla Extract

Topping- 

Buttercream icing

Raspberries

Method:

Weigh our dry ingredients and mix together well. 

Add in margarine and egg, to create a pale yellow smooth mixture.

At this stage add in a drop of vanilla extract.

Line a cupcake tin with decorative summery cupcake cases and fill over half the case with the mixture.

Bake for 15-20 mins, until golden brown and springy. 

Once cooled on a cooling rack, apply the buttercream icing and decorate to your preference.

White Chocolate and Raspberry Blondies

You will need:

1 teaspoon baking powder 

250g White chocolate 

250g Raspberries

6ozs Caster sugar

4ozs Butter

6ozs Flour

3 eggs

Method:

Preheat oven to 180'c and line a 18 x 27 inch baking tin. 

Melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl over simmering pan of water.

In another bowl whisk together the butter, eggs and caster sugar to create a creamy thick consistency. 

Once the butter and chocolate has melted, fold gently into the butter and caster sugar mix.

Also add in the flour and further fold, to create a yellow paste. 

Place the raspberries evenly on top.

Pour into the baking tin and cook for 30-35 mins. 

Once cooled on a drying rack, melt extra white chocolate and drizzled on top of them. Cut into 12 equal squares.