Blogs Worth Bookmarking #6

In the past few weeks, we've seen Adele dominate at the Brits Awards picking up a total of four awards (including Best British Single and Best British Female - hell to the yeah!), and One Direction's Liam Payne and Cheryl are now apparently dating - I don't think anyone saw that one coming to be honest - anyway all in all it has been a busy old week for our musical celebrities. But with Spring well and truly on its way - seriously it needs to hurry up, it's just too cold - it is time to get excited for my up and coming holidays, which means some new holiday essentials and the countdown is officially on but what better way to find some holiday and long-haul flight essentials than browsing through some blogs. Enjoy! 

Giovanna Fletcher

I love this family. They are the cutest and they've just welcomed the arrival of Buddy Boy Fletcher to their super awesome family. I've read a lot of her blogs over the year and I've recently moved on to read her books; the way she writes is very engagment and keeps the reader interested with plenty of twists and turns. 

Shay Holly

Francesca Eloise

Hope Engaged

Wander with Laura

If I didn't want to travel the world before then I do now. This has inspired me to visit more places around the globe. 

Cupcakes and Cashmere

My outfits for the Spring are sorted. Thank you Cupcakes and Cashmere. 

Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins

The two things that every girl needs in her life; coffee beans and bobby pins - who wouldn't like a blog with a name like this. 

Until the next time, Au Revoir!
Love,
Lauren xo 

Book Review #1 | Chasing Daisy by Paige Toon

As some of you may know, one of my New Years Solutions was to read more books in two thousand and sixteen; my aim was to read at least one or two books every two weeks. Sounds a bit crazy, right? Yeah, that's what I thought since we are reaching the end of February and I've only read one and a half books since the new year started. Oops. I am mainly blaming my failure on my lack of time, laziness and swapping books for Pinterest - so 21st century. Yet slightly addictive. Anyhoo, since the last few weeks at work have been somewhat hectic, I thought it was about time that I switch off Pinterest and turn to a good old fashioned book (on a Kindle). 

I stumbled across this author when I was reading a few blogs during one evening; I've never read any of Paign Toon's books but I've heard a number of good reviews about them, so I thought that I would give it a shot. I really enjoy romantic, heart-felt stories where the reader can really relate to the characters in the book; there is nothing worse than reading a book with no emotion or storyline. 

Chasing Daisy revolves around a young girl called Daisy, who is twenty six years old and works as a front-of-house girl (or bun tart) for Formula One with her best friend, Holly; however her past doesn't belong to growing up in a happy family and having successful relationships. Just as the F1 season kicks off, she not only builds new friendships but falls into a relationship with a boy who's heart belongs to his childhood sweetheart. Daisy's world soon come crashng down but someone who has been there from the start is ready to save the day and repair her broken heart. 

I pretty much read this book within three days. I didn't mean to but once I really started to get into it, I couldn't stop - I even found it difficult to put it down when I went to work for eight hours. Having never read a Paige Toon book before, I didn't know what to expect but the first part of this book had such an intense build up, it was filled with sexual tension and new insightful relationships that kept me on my toes and thinking over and over again... "Who actually is Daisy and what is she hiding?" As the story starts to unfold, the excitement and tension starts to build and although you knew when they went back to the house or hotel that something was going to happen, the twists and turns along the way kept me guessing right until the very end. 

I found this book a pretty easy read; not too complicated or boring. If you're heading off on holiday, going on a long-haul flight or are having a relaxing and lazy day; I would definitely recommend this book as it is a light-hearted love story which relatable to every women, who has ever had a crush and/or a complicated relationship experience. 

Until the next time a book needs reviewing, Au Revoir!

Love,

Lauren xo 

February Goals

It isn't very often that I sit down and think about the month that has just been and gone but after January flew by so quickly and things that I did manage to do seem like a distance memory, I thought that it was about time to plan out my February Goals. With February 2016 bringing us the wonders of an an extra day - Happy Birthday 29thers - Harry Style's 22nd birthday, Pancake Day followed by Ash Wednesday and Valentines Day (which I have a bitter relationship with); nonetheless it is time to start prioritising my February 'To-Do' list and where better to start than the things that I should of crossed off in January. Awkward. *Insert monkey with hands over eyes emoji here*: 

1. Budget. Budget. Budget.
Did I mention that I just booked a holiday with my bestie (for the best part of eighteen years) to Florida? Although we knew that we wanted to go away, Florida was a rather spontaneous choice - originally we were thinking Europe, god knows how we got to America from Europe. Anywho, budgeting is going to be rather difficult what with Disney tickets needing to be purchased and long-haul flight must-haves everywhere I look but I promise to try my hardest to budget. Budgeting is difficult but if you start with the small things like taking your lunch from home instead of buying it, stopping your mass intake of caffeine from Starbuck and Costa Coffee and not buying things that I don't actually need, then budgeting can work. I'll let you know how the February budgeting went in March, when I have miserably failed. 

2. Drink more water.
Staying hydrated isn't just good for your body but it is good for your skin, your postivity and it is good for a health kick and detox. Bring on the H2O - so far, I've been pretty good at it, so it is time  to keep it up. 

3. Get out of South West for a weekend.
I miss home friends (who aren't at home anymore) a lot. I miss my university friends a lot too. So it is time to get out of the South West for a weekend and visit friends up and down the country but I think that the most important question to ask is... Where do I start? Cornwall? Surrey? Wiltshire? 

4. Work on my Fitness.
With time ticking away ever so quickly, Summer will soon be upon us. So it is time I stop thinking about how much food I've eaten over the Winter months and embrace the fact that it is time to think Fitness and stop feeling so sluggish. I work in an office. Behind a desk, infront of a screen, five days a weeks. So doing fitness needs to be a must! 

5. Prepare for my Spring Clean.
Technically Spring is another month away but it is never too early to start a Spring-Clean; however with the weather like it is, it's making it increasingly difficult to get in the mood for Spring. Since May 2015, when I returned home from university and I tried ever so hard to squeeze two rooms into one, I have fail miserably. Stuff Overload! My bedroom has felt cluttered and not organised in the slightest; so it time for the detox and de-cluttering to begin. 

6. Forward planning for my Holidays. 
I am fortunate enough to have two holidays this year, normally I am lucky to get one but this year I have two - Success! Anyway, forward thinking and planning when it comes to deadlines and holidays is my forte; yes, I am one of those people who writes out a list of what I need to take and a 'Don't Forget' list to go with it but actually it works, so guess what I am going to be doing in February... 

Until the next goal making and hopefully keeping session, Au Revoir! 
Love, 
Lauren xo 

January Favourites

January always feels like a really long month (especially where payday is concerned) but these last thirty-one days have flown by in the blink an eye and we are now welcoming February in with open arms. Although its February, we'll all still be in our knitted jumpers, winter coats and boots holding on to our seasoned lattes whilst we still can, battling what seems like every storm in the English alphabet - February is a time of love with Valentines Day just around the corner and although I haven't got a boyfriend, there is nothing better than a single girls Valentines day treat - Ben and Jerry's come at me. However with one month down in 2016, it means that we are:

A) One month closer to Summer (which includes the month of my birth)
and...
B) My holiday is getting closer and closer, which means it will soon be time to start shopping for it.

January has been a whirlwind month for me and sadly its been all work and no play at times - is this what life is like as you get older? - I mean my next holiday is in September (well as far as I know; watch this space) and before you know it, Spring and Summer will be nowhere to seen and we'll be back celebrating the New Year again. But until that time, let's celebrate the year ahead by finding more things each month that I've been loving:

1. Aussie Winter Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner
Okay this stuff is amazing. I've heard people talk about Aussie saying 'how brilliant and nice smelling it is' but I've never actually used it myself. Until now. This is something that I recommend to everyone, especially people with dry, lifeless hair that these storms keep causing; I mean my hair feels extremely nourished and smells gorgeous and with this product, a little goes a long way. Aussie can seem expensive but it lasts ages and is definitely worth while - especially if you get the bigger bottle. Top Tip: Once the conditioner gets half way, add a little water to the mixture and shake. It lasts a lot longer. 

2. Base + Barley 
If you don't have a Base + Barley near you, go to a place that does. I was recommended this place by a work colleague, so I thought that I would give it a try, I mean what was the worst that could happen. It was tasty, fresh and great quality for money; twelve inch woodburn oven pizza with amazing flavours and the best part was the pizzas didn't have any weird names, which I couldn't pronounce (like I always struggle with in Wagamama's) they were labelled Number One, Number Two, Three etc - it makes life so easy after a long week of work! 

3. Ciaté London x Olivia Palermo Nail Polish (Nantucket)
My lovely bestie, who knows me so well, bought me this nail polish for Christmas and I wear it constantly because it just doesn't chip or lose its colour like some nail polishes. Although it isn't a traditional wintery colour, I love how bright and finished my nails look when painted with this colour - it is definitely going to be my go-to colour for the Spring and Summer months. 

4. Yankee Candle Bundled Up Wax Tart 
I do believe that this was in my December and Christmas Favourites but honestly I just can't get enough of this scent; I mean it is such a warm, inviting and homely scent, I light it every evening especially when it is cold, raining and horrible outside and I am tucked up inside with a blanket, a good book and a cup of tea. Bliss. 

5. Jack Wills Fernham Super Skinny Jean 
I don't know about anyone else but I find such satisatifion when I find the perfect pair of jeans that actually fit. No belt. No rolling up the trousers. The perfect fit. These were a bit of a spontanrous purchase I saw them in the January Jack Wills sale for £75 £24 and I jumped at the chance and I haven't looked back since. Next stop black jeans... 

Until the next time a month goes by quicker than a flash of light, Au Revoir! 
Love, 
Lauren xo