Divergent by Veronica Roth.

Hello, and yes, today i am going to be "reviewing" a book! Probably in a really poor and unprofessional way, but I really want to share it with you guys. 

I really like the cover of mine!

Firstly, i'll tell you the summary of the book.

"In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself."

Ooooh, intriguing right? So, i'll start on my opinions. 

This book is of the Young Adult genre, it's set in a dystopian world (that means "An imaginary place or state in which the condition of life is extremely bad, as from deprivation, oppression, or terror." Thanks dictionary!), and it's a novel. All things I tend to really enjoy, and this book was no exception.

This book had me hooked from about chapter 3, I would say, which is pretty much a record for me! I really enjoyed the way that the author, Veronica Roth, structured the book so that the chapters were quite short making every one end on some kind of cliff hanger. 

I found the main character Tris to be very likeable, so I always wanted her to be the best at everything. Also, this made me very much hate all of her enemies. That and they were easy to hate. (Peter, I am looking at you.)

And Four (or should I say, PHWOAR! my my when did i get so witty) is one of my favourite things about the entire book. I don't think I have ever fancied a character from a book as much as Four, and I just really want one for myself! I'm going to blame Veronica Roth for my future disappointment in the male gender, I think.

At parts, this book did get a bit gushy when Tris talks about boys and things like that, but I guess it a kind of 'coming of age' time for her and it doesn't go smushy for a long time, so I can get over that. Also, I found myself always wanting to know more about the world they were in, I mean is Chicago the only city that's left in the world? But I may find more out in the next two books in the series ,which are Insurgent and Allegiant (exciting!)

Personally, I do kind of  think that this book may have jumped on the Hunger Games band wagon. But I am probably going to think that with every single YA Dystopian novel, just because I absolutely love that series and it has a big place in my heart for getting me back into reading. So if Katniss and Tris got into a fight, I would be backing Katniss all the way.

This book was action packed, funny in parts, romantic and very easy to read, so I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys the Young Adult genre, and I will probably be trying to force all of my friends into reading it in the next couple of months, so that must mean it's good.  So go to your local bookstore and give the first chapter a read, get it on your e-reader, or if you trust me that much (which you should) you can buy it from here. (FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY GUYS!)

Also, it's coming out in movie form on the 21st of March in the US, so if you're going to read it, do it before the movie comes out!

wooooooah..

Lot's of love,

Hayley

x

I'm On Bloglovin'!

This is just a little post to tell you all that i am on Bloglovin'! 

If you don't already know what Bloglovin' is, it is a website which makes it super simple and easy to see new posts from the blogs you love. It updates your homepage whenever someone you're following makes a new post, so it would be great if you could follow me so you can keep up to date with what i'm posting. Hopefully, there will be a new post every Tuesday from here on out, maybe even one later on in the week too if I have something interesting to tell you about!

Do you have a blog? Let me know as i love finding a new blog to read!

Lots of love,

Hayley.

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My Top 5 of 2013!

I know this is very late and i'm sorry! But I figured this post was better late than never, as I want to write it so i can look back on it next year, as well as sharing it with you. This is going to be a post dedicated to my top 5 favourite beauty products of the entire year of 2013! And i'm telling you, they are gooduns.

Let's start with the least fun but very useful L'Oréal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution. What a name! Basically, this stuff is incredible. It is a cleansing micellar water which is perfect for taking off make up. I use it if I have any heavy make up on, especially around my eye area, as it takes it off in a couple of sweeps and feels just like water. No stinging, no irritation, just clean skin. I also use it in the morning, just to get rid of any excess oil or grime that's built up on my face overnight. This has been a fantastic find for me, as I have used it almost every day for about 8 months, and this is only my second bottle!

Next up is my favourite face base of the year, the Bourjois Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix Foundation. I don't really think I need to say much about this, it's just fab. It gives a medium coverage but it is buildable, it gives a slight glow but definitely doesn't look oily, and it smells AMAZING! I have tried the serum version of this, I would say that one gives a lighter coverage and I prefer the feel and look of the normal healthy mix formula.This foundation has been a revelation for me this year and I don't think I will ever be able to be without it again!

Something which kind of coincides with the foundation, is my favourite brush to apply it with. This is the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. Again, need I say more? But I will anyway. This brush blends foundation seamlessly, and makes it look natural but perfect at the same time. I seriously wish they sold this brush separately as I would probably own two or three of them by now!

For eyeshadow this year I have been loving my MUA Undressed Palette. This thing is the biggest bargain ever! You get 12 shadows, a couple of mattes and some beautiful shimmery shades, all very pigmented and a great texture for £4. £4! I would recommend this to anybody who is on a budget who wants some fabulously long lasting and very pretty eyeshadows. You can use these to create a very natural everyday look, or use the darker shades to get a fab smoky eye (i've even used it on my eyebrows when in desperate times too!). I seriously love this thing, and I have heard it is a good dupe for the Urban Decay Naked palette too. For that price, you seriously can't go wrong. 

And last of all (but definitely not least) is the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters. These are fabulous for someone who loves to wear bright lipstick but is maybe a bit frightened to do so everyday. They apply at first quite sheer but you can build them up to an intense glossy lip. These are so hydrating and easy to apply, and in 2014 I am probably going to end up buying a lot more of these. The colours I have here are Macaroon, Candy Apple, Sweet Tart and Creme Brûlée. I would say of the four my favourite is Candy Apple. I used to have Tutti Frutti and that was my ultimate love but I lost it! It's so sad, so that will definitely be repurchased in the spring, and I also have my eye on Juicy Papaya. 

So those are my top 5 favourites of 2013! Do you have any favourites this year? I would love to hear any recommendations!

My next post is going to be slightly (very) different, so watch out any book lovers!

Lots of love,

Hayley.

My New Years Resolutions!

I just thought as it's the last day of 2013 I should write a post to signify it. This isn't make-up related, or anything related really, so it will probably bore most of you, but I think it's always important to make a note of your new years resolutions so you can see if you have achieved them the next year!

So, mine include:

1. Read more. I really want to start reading more in 2014, as feel this year I only read when I went on holiday, and now i regret it. I love to read and you can learn so much from a book!
2. Learn how to cook in general, but especially healthy food. I'm not going to put the same old stuff about losing weight or exercising more, but this kind of relates. I want to be able to cook healthy, yummy food for my family (and I also really enjoy looking at cookbooks!).
3. Write at least 1 blog post per week. I really enjoy this blog, so hopefully as the year goes on it will get better and better! 

That's all of them, I think....

I had loads of different ideas of what I could do this coming year (I think at the most i had about 6) but I think keeping it down to 3 achievable important things is a good idea. I can think about more of the little things later. 

So, what are your new years resolutions?

Oh, and 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love, Hayley.

My New Day Time Fragrance!

Jo Malone Earl Grey & Cucumber 

I got this as a gift for my birthday last week from my Mum & Dad, and I nearly jumped for joy when I saw it! I have never owned a Jo Malone cologne (as they call it) before, and have wanted one for a long time. As a tea lover this one is perfect for me, and look how preeetty! 

On the Jo Malone website it is described as "A fragrance with a burst of bergamot, distinct to Earl Grey, and the cool succulence of crunchy cucumber. Counterpoised with a sweet base of beeswax, vanilla and musk. " And I must say, it is beautiful. The scent is so long lasted that I can still smell it at the end of a busy day of working and every time I get a whiff it makes me feel calm and collected, even if i'm stressed out of my head one minute before. 

I would say it is worth the slightly hefty price tag & would definitely recommend heading to your local counter and having a smell. And I promise, you won't regret it.

Love, Hayley.

20th Birthday FOTD + OOTD

Hello!

Today was my 20th birthday, so i thought i would share with you my make up and outfit (kind of) that i decided to wear on this special day.

These are the products i decided to use today for a pretty minimal look. Neutral eyes, a pretty pink lip & a pop of peach on the cheeks.

The make up in action.

This cardigan is from Primark and it only cost me about £14! One of the best buys i have made all year. It is so soft and cozy, and all of the rose gold sequins have been sewn on individually. I also really like the zip detail and bomber look, i think it looks very modern and i absolutely love it! 

These boots are from Marks & Spencers, and oh my god, they are the most comfortable heeled shoes i have ever worn. I have been in them all day and i think i could go on in them. I also love the colour as it's not black but a dark grey. Slightly different for the winter days.

We went to a pub near to me and it was sooooo christmassy in there! I loved it and it made me feel very festive and jolly. I mean, look at the christmas tree! Bad quality picture, but i had to zoom as i was sat quite far away!

Super cute decs!

My older brother being a bit of a creep with his steak.

Anyway guys, sorry for the super long post but i have had a fabulous day and wanted to share it with you, i hope you don't mind!

Lot's of love,

Hayley

x

Yankee 'Simply Home' Christmas Candles!

Candles are my weakness, or at least one of my many many weaknesses, so this year i decided to go all out FESTIVE and get some christmassy smelling ones.

I decided to go for Yankee Candles because 1) I adore how they smell, 2) They last a while and 3) I think that they are pretty darn affordable! I found these ones in my local Asda store, which i was totally stunned and pleased by as i have never seen Yankee Candles so close to home before. I went for 'Christmas Treats' and 'Apple Spice Potpourri', two completely different scents but both lurvly. 

I would have to say that my favourite scent of the two would be Christmas Treats, as it just smells so yummy like biscuits in the oven!

I had to put this picture in, look at Gimli being all sneaky in the background.

They have lasted me a long time so far, and i have been burning the a lot (as you can probably tell). If you are indeed looking for some festive candles this season, i would definitely recommend these ones!

Lots of love,
Hayley.
xxx