Move over Carrie Bradshaw, Monica's in town!

Well hello there, I've finally finished this book!! Hallelujah I never thought I'd get there I've been so busy but I managed it. Killing Monica* isn't a book to read when you haven't much time I've found out, it needs your full attention for long periods of time, because of this I found it really hard to get into in the beginning as I'd read a few pages here and there when I had time. The other night however I managed to take some time out and just sit down and relax (a treat that doesn't happen often now a days) and pretty much read most of the book in one sitting. Seriously though there's three parts to this book and once you're past a certain point it's super easy to read - I will say though the last part is like what the hell.

"Pandy "PJ" Wallis is a renowned writer whose novels about a young woman making her way in Manhattan have spawned a series of blockbuster films."  ~ Goodreads 

Pretty much the first part is about her current life, the second contains many flashbacks throughout her life, then the third part continues from the first part but when knowing the backstories you understand more of her current life. Obviously from a girl called Pandemonia her life isn't the quiet chilled life of low key writer, her life is all over the front page no matter if she's kissing some guy, out with some girl, or missing in action. Her life just seems to be taken over by 'Monica' her character persona, which might parallel that of Bushnell's Carrie Bradshaw, to the extent that she plans to kill her so her new novel idea might be considered in publishing. Personally there were a few times I didn't really want to pick up the book again to continue reading as it just didn't seem like my kind of reading - I haven't actually read or seen Sex and the City and actually I thought it was called Sex in the City until I looked at the photo above oops. But I did enjoy the major twist in part three, I did think it was a bit what the hell but it personally made the book better than a maybe 2 stars out of 5. I guessed the final twist though just for those who have read it, did you too or was it just me? About PJ's sister? 

I wouldn't say you'd be missing out on this if you didn't read it but if you're looking for an easy reader with boys, alcohol, and some partying then maybe this is the book for you! It's rather wishy washy until the last part where all the action happens but if that's your kind of book maybe pick this up.

* I received this book from Hachette NZ for reviewing purposes, however all opinions are probably obviously my own! 

Silver is a Girls Best Friend

Girls always prefer a certain metal for their jewellery, and for me that's silver. Look at these gorgeous charms though... 

I feel like I've always owned some sort of charm bracelet; when I was christened as a baby I received a small silver bracelet with religious related charms. Growing up I went through a few but the most memorable being one with lots of dangly charms like a blue clay turtle and a purple rubix cube. But now I'm 21 so I felt like I needed a more 'adulty' bracelet and here it is! 

My parents recently bought me this Pandora bracelet along with the safety chain, two clips, and the present charm to symbolise my 18th and 21st birthday. I also received the daisy chain charm from my brother as well for my birthday. These together with the Michael Hill charms* I got to choose from their Emma & Roe range, I'm able to arrange the charms to how I'm feeling. Personally I was unsure about getting a mix of charm brands thinking that they may not work together but they do! Now I can buy charms from both brands woo! 

With the charms I have I put together a few ways I'd wear them as I don't actually like wearing loads of charms at once all the time so it's nice to have a change around. 

Filigree Open Heart Pattern Charm, Teal Matte Murano Glass Charm, Daisies Clip, Silver Present Charm, Darling Daisies Spacer, Sterling Silver Crown Charm, Milkyway Clip, Blue & Gold Sparkle Murano Glass Charm, Filigree Flower Charm.

Do you have a charm bracelet? What charms do you have, I'm thinking about getting a Lion charm next. 

*Michael Hill have kindly allowed me to choose these Emma & Roe charms but all opinions are my own. Just look at them how could you not like them!

iHerb iHaul

Hiya guys I made some sneaky purchases before Easter so I thought I would share. I've also given them all a quick try before posting this so I can give you a little mini review at the same time. Fair warning it's mostly lip products as I was on the hunt to find some lip liners for my collection. 

First of all I got the ELF Lip Primer & Plumper ($3.00), I was a little sceptical of this but thought for 3 bucks I might as well try it out. The primer is basically a concealer but it does a better job than my actual concealer and the plumper is definitely cinnamon flavoured but I'm not too sure at the moment if it does it's job. I also grabbed a ELF Long-Wear Lipliner Pencil in Bitter ($1.99) which is a really nice deep purple colour perfect for my recent Topshop lipstick and glides on smoothly. Another Real Techniques brush for my collection, this time the Powder Brush ($9.99), I never knew brushes could get this fluffy - totally my new favourite brush! The ELF Lip Stain in Berry Blush ($2.99) I wasn't sure about either as the last time I tried a lip stain it didn't go very well but as this was in a pen form rather than a liquid I thought I'd give it a go. It surprised me actually, it goes on lightly but can be easily built up for the desired colour and really does stain the lips staying on all day. I've recently been using this as a base for my lipsticks which makes them more long lasting. I also picked up another ELF Pressed Powder in Porcelain ($3.00) as I've hit pan on my current one. This is my favourite powder so always need a back up! Lastly I bought some chewable iron tablets ($8.99, not photographed) for a bit of a pick me up. 

As my Mum was coming down for Easter I got her to grab me some Jordana products from our local store as they're cheaper than Wellington stores and there's actually more of a variety even though it's a tiny town. I got the Jordana Matte Lipstick in Cafe ($3.00) and although the only other Matte lipsticks I have from Jordana are browny colours this one's a much darker brown and I'm loving it! All the lipsticks are a really nice quality for their price, the colour lasting isn't huge but I find they personally work for me and how long I need it so I grabbed another regular Jordana Lipstick in Blackberry ($3.00). Then we have the couple of lipliners; Jordana Quickliners in Ruby Stone and Scarlet (each $4.00), really nice and smooth to draw with and I find a nice starting point for those starting out with lipliners (aka me) as they're not hugely permanent and can be easily removed and redone. Also grabbed a regular Jordana Lipliner in Chestnut ($3.00) which isn't as smooth as the quickliners but still does the job once it's been used once or twice. 

Finally we're done! I totally recommend Jordana and ELF for those wanting cheap make up

You can get $10 off your first shipment with the code CTP518! Have fun :)

taylor swift and friendship bracelets

The other day my bestie and I trekked over to my old flatmates new house to check it out and hang out after not seeing each other for 3 months. The walk was much longer than I expected and well the sun was out blazing so we turned up at their door hot, sweaty and in much need of a glass of water... or four. We sat out in their cute little patio while guzzling our weight in water and achieving a rather nice burn across my entire chest, shoulders and face. I must have looked a right picture! 
Eventually the sun went behind some clouds and wouldn't come out so we ventured inside to look through the collection of boxes they discovered in their attic. Under a mountain of dry highlighters and pots of various glitter we found some of your average cross stitching thread and decided to make friendship bracelets. You know those ones that every girl learns to make in like year 7, or every girl but us as we had to google how to make them. So we three girls sat with Taylor Swift playing in the background for few hours while our very handy guy made the dinner. (I question why I ever decided not to flat with him this year om nom nom)
Don't judge my first attempt at a bracelet okay it was my very first try and for half of it I couldn't attach it to anything so it was flying all over the place, but I thought I did okay. I'm gonna try a few more on my own I think just so that I can do it. 

Black Matte Fish Eggs?

I used to be really fond of painting my nails wacky patterns and animals and things but lately I've been loving the really simple manicure, just one colour etc. Since seeing this type of manicure about a year ago I've been on the hunt for some cheap matte top polish and having found that a few weeks ago I really wanted to try it out. I think it looks really nice and although it wasn't excecuted superbly it still looks really good. I'm not sure if every matte top coat does this as mine was a cheap one but I've had it on for like 4 days and the tips are going shiny, does the OPI one do the same? It's okay though they were perfect for the party on friday so all is well x