California Calling - Written for Semple Magazine Issue VI

My second feature for the most recent issue of Semple Magazine. 

Issue VI is out now - available here.

Click images to expand. 

Daydreaming Destinations - Written for Semple Magazine VI

Semple Magazine VI is out now - available here.

Click images to expand.

The Final Four

Yesterday morning, I finished my 52 books in a year challenge... and with five weeks to spare!

Since my last post took me up to book #48, here are the final four that saw me to a complete New Year's Resolution before December even arrived...

#49 Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Year Of Pilgrimage - Haruki Murakami

After saving the most recent novel from my favourite author until the end of the challenge, I was slightly worried that it would not be worth the wait.  Though 'Colourless Tsukuru' isn't remotely as indulgently lengthy as '1Q84', features an American spelling in the title and has a distinct lack of cats weaved in to the storyline, I genuinely enjoyed Murakami's latest work.  So much so in fact, that I read it in one sitting.  If you haven't already, you should most definitely get hold of a copy.      

 

 #50 The Fashion Conspiracy - Nicholas Coleridge

This book highlighted to me one of the greatest issues with purchasing e-books in a rush.  Deprived of the luxury to quite literally judge a book by its cover, I didn't realise that I was subjecting myself to an outdated non-fiction publication that was originally published in the late eighties.  Though some of the anecdotes were interesting, overall I found that I had to force myself to keep turning the digital pages.  Probably best avoided - I read far more interesting fashion books whilst writing my dissertation (and that's saying something).

 #51 There Goes Gravity a life in Rock and Roll - Lisa Robinson

Books written by journalists are often incredibly informative and easy to read - 'There Goes Gravity' is no exception.  Considering that many of the musicians are signed to the labels that I work on at Warner, Lisa Robinson's tales of life behind the scenes with some of the world's best known perfomers were undoubtedly entertaining.  Sometimes I felt it was a shame that the writer didn't include more about herself, as I'm certain that her own personal accounts would be equally as compelling.

 #52 Eat My Heart Out - Zoe Pilger

Several magazine websites that I browse had mentioned this debut novel, so when I spotted in on sale in the Kobo store I hit download.  Now I regret that this chaotic novel was the final book in my 52 book challenge.  Perhaps this is a 'marmite' publication that some may love, but personally I found it to be utterly devoid of charm and was glad when I reached the end.

#53 Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs

Yes, there is already a #53... Why achieve when you can over-achieve?!  After the previous catastrophic choice of fiction, this fantastic creation was such a relief.  Amazingly presented and written, I would suggest that any reader who enjoys something a little extraordinary indulge in this page turner.  With the sequel due for release early next year and a cinematic adaption being directed by the inimitable Tim Burton I'm relieved that this is not the last I'll be seeing of Miss Peregrine and her band of peculiar children.  

 

The 52 book challenge - 23 to 48!

You might remember my earlier posts about my attempt at reading 52 books in a year.

I'm currently reading both books #49 and #50 - ahead of schedule!

Here are the books that have been consuming my time, since my last post as I finished my 22nd read...

(As there are so many to catch up on, I've only included images of the ones that I would reccomend).

23) Lost - Gregory Maguire 

24) Bluebeard - Angela Carter

25) The Mermaid Chair - Sue Monk Kidd

26) Mirror Mirror - Gregory Maguire

27) Temeraire - Naomi Novik

28) Shotgun Lovesongs - Nickolas Butler

29) Elizabeth Is Missing - Emma Healey

30) The Bees - Laline Paull

 

31) The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt

32) If You Were Here - Alafair Burke 

33) Nights At The Circus - Angela Carter

34) The Enchanted - Rene Denfeld

35) Lemon Grove - Helen Walsh

36) Boy, Snow, Bird - Helen Oyeyemi

37) it - Alexa Chung

38) Frog Music - Emma Donoghue

39) Last Bus To Coffeeville - J. Paul Henderson

40) The Magic Toyshop - Angela Carter

41)  Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell

42) Fierce - Kelly Osbourne

43) Friendship - Emily Gould

44) Diary - Chuck Palahniuk

45)  The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy - Rachel Joyce

46) The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton

47) Not That Kind Of Girl - Lena Dunham

48) #GIRLBOSS - Sophia Amoruso 

The Power of Colour: Written for Semple Magazine Issue V.

Read the rest of Semple Magazine Issue V here.

Stupid and Contagious: The Destructive Celebrity Mind. Written for Semple Magazine Issue V.

Read the rest of Semple Magazine Issue V here.

Flamingo Favourites: High Tea Collection

Environmentally aware companies are often criticised for failing to appeal to mass market consumers: their eco-friendly products being purchased largely by those who commit to a somewhat alternative and planet friendly lifestyle, whilst leaving your average shopper looking elsewhere.  However, when certain companies emerge offering goods that are simultaneously irresistible and earth conscious, then their business plan successfully provides customers with a guilt free, indulgent shopping experience – what’s not to like?  Flamingo Candles is one of these rare brands.  Combine the look and smell of their adorable flamingo adorned gifts with the knowledge that each of their candles is handmade in Britain, and you know it’s time to get shopping… to help boost the economy of course.  Stockists include JOY, Asos, Spoiled Brat and various independent boutiques. 

Based in Porth, South Wales, Flamingo Candles have become known for their selection of tempting candles and scent melts, made from fair trade, non-toxic soybean oil and natural cotton wicks.  Each candle comes in a charming reusable jar with a contrasting acrylic ‘Florrie the flamingo’ silhouette perching proudly on the front.  After the popularity of ‘The Candy Shop’ products, which include mouth watering candy floss, bubblegum and vanilla milk bottle scents, a new range has recently been released inspired by the traditional British custom of socialising over a selection of sweet treats and drinks.  The ‘High Tea’ collection adds five new scents to the Flamingo Candles product range, currently available as either classic square jar candles for £12 or scent melts for oil burners for just £2.  Choose from Blackcurrant Jam, Darjeeling Tea, Lemon Curd, Macaroon and Almond, and Earl Grey Tea and Cucumber, depending on which flavour most takes your fancy. 

 I chose to order the Macaroon and Almond candle, thinking that this was highly likely to be the most saccharine of the newly released scents, in order to satisfy my undeniably sweet tooth.  Ordered directly from Flamingo Candles, my purchase arrived well packaged to protect the delightful candle complete with its whimsical rose coloured signature flamingo.  Not too sickly or overpowering, the fragrance is delicate and delicious.  Without the unsightly stickers, bar code and company jargon that litter the containers of many other scented candles, this makes a fanciful, and pleasing addition to my home that I would recommend to anyone wishing to add a little flamingo frivolity to their life.    

   

Friday Fancies: Neon Watches

Take a look at my latest blog post for Fashion Fox, 

featuring the latest limited edition neon collection from Olivia Burton.

  

Summer Trend: Unicorn Motifs

My second blog post for Fashion Fox is now live!

Click the image below to read the full post.

Bookworm

Towards the start of the year, I wrote a post about my personal challenge to read 52 books before the end of 2014.  By the end of January I was on my fifth book, and am now creeping up to the half way mark at the beginning of reading my 23rd.  Here are the reads that have got me to my current total:

5) The Flavours of Love - Dorothy Koomson           6) The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd

7) Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock - Matthew Quick  8) The Shock of the Fall - Nathan Filer

 9) Dreams and Shadows - C. Robert Cargill             10) Broken Dolls - James Carol

11) Perfect - Rachel Joyce                                           12) Ketchup Clouds - Annabel Pitcher

13) My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece -                   14) The Summer We All Ran Away - Cassandra
Annabel Pitcher                                                           Parkin

15) Where'd You Go, Bernadette - Maria Semple     16) Burial Rites - Hannah Kent

17) Savages - Shirley Conran                                    18) Will Grayson, Will Grayson -
                                                                                   John Green and David Levithan

19) The Last Quarter of the Moon - Chi Zijian         20) Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell

21) The Vogue Factor - Kirstie Clements                   22) Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovitch 

Every Day I'm Tumblin'

Lately, I've been busy researching and writing the two articles I contribute to each issue of Semple magazine.  Due to be released early next month, the upcoming issue is based around the theme of 'the mind' and I really enjoyed writing my two features that are to be included. 

I thought I would create a quick post to share some of my favourite images that I have reblogged on my Tumblr page lately.  As with all social media, there are times when your feed can prove to be decidedly uninspiring but photographs like these have got me hooked again.