The Lucky One - Nicholas Sparks | BOOKS

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"Many times, I caught myself physically smiling as I was reading"

Everyone knows of the oh-so-famous Nicholas Sparks based movies. You know, the ones with Ryan Gosling, Liam Hemsworth, Channing Tatum and in this case, Zac Efron. I must say, good choice of actors! Although I had known of the films, and watched a few in my day, I never really thought about picking up the book. Then came a day I decided to take a read of this one, and I've never looked back.

"yet there's something about it that just makes real life seem that much more magical"

Seeing as I hadn't yet watched the movie, I thought it'd be a good idea to flick through the book first. Let me tell you, once I picked it up, there was no way I was putting it down. I must admit, the moment I read about Thibault, Zac Efrons' face jumped into view, and he totally fits the character. Thibault is an awesome guy. He's done so many great things but is so modest. I don't know what is it about those kind of characters, but they are my favourite. So every time his good nature was mentioned, it made me feel somewhat 'warm and fuzzy' on the inside. Many times, I caught myself physically smiling as I was reading. And that's just one of the myriad of things I liked about the book.

"I don't know what is it about those kind of characters, but they are my favourite"

The overall story is quite interesting. It really does make me believe in destiny, and as cliché as it may sound, I guess I am a believer of fate. Don't get me wrong, I totally understand how this is a book and only a story, not real life, yet there's something about it that just makes real life seem that much more magical. Am I going crazy? I don't really know what it is, but the book gave me a sense of hope, the idea that 'good things are to come' - okay, this is just proving how much of a dreamer I really am!

"Then came a day I decided to take a read of this one, and I've never looked back"

I'm going to watch the movie and give you a verdict, was the book better than the movie? Keep your eye's peeled for that post later on in the week! However, to round this post off, let me just tell you, if you're looking for a nice escape, a good read and overall a lovely story rammed in a neat little book, this one is for you! 

Tell me, what do you think of Nicholas Sparks' books, any suggestions?

Movies in the Cinema | Spring 2015

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source 1/2/3/4
"feel the magic as you're watching a Disney movie on the laptop, but the cinema brings out something quite different."

They say movies are perfect for the fall and winter, snuggling up with a blanket and enjoying a flick or two. Although it's now Spring, the weather's not that much better and let's be honest, a movie is good anytime of the year!

It may feel like I've totally been living under a rock when it comes to new movies, but passing the Cinderella exhibition in Leicester Square last week reminded me that the new movie releases have not stopped since the Hunger Games Mockingjay came out!

Speaking of the Hunger Games, a similar style of movie has hit the big screen. Insurgent, the next movie in the Divergent series, is currently in cinemas.
Although I was a fan of Divergent, see that post here, I had no intention to see Insurgent any time soon. Whether that be because I'd rather see The Fast and Furious 7, or because I may have just completely forgotten that even Divergent existed. Yet, watching the trailer and seeing Theo James... that may have just changed my mind!
IMDB Rating: 7/10

Fast & Furious 7
The only one of the F&F series that I really remember is the third. Ask me about 1,2,4,5 or 6 and I'll put my hands up - nope, I've got nothing to say. Either way, the whole thing about this being Paul Walkers legacy has gotten to me. Plus I want to see if it's a noticeable change when they switch from Paul to Cody!
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10

Cinderella
Bellatrix from Harry Potter, a.k.a. Helena Bonham Carter, is the fairy godmother! How wonderful! Any Disney movie is lovely to see in the big screen. You can definitely feel the magic as you're watching a Disney movie on the laptop, but the cinema brings out something quite different. Disneyland? That's a whole other level, but for now, the cinema shall do!
If you are in the London area, do pop by the exhibition in Leicester Square. I didn't get a chance to go inside, but it did look pretty promising! Oh, and we saw a cute little girl dressed up as cinderella going into the exhibition and it was adorable!
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10

All in all, the movies out at the moment definitely seem worth a watch. Although Divergent wasn't my first choice when I first started writing this post, I may be leaning more towards watching it now! (That's the effect of Theo James, my friend!)
What's the movie that's currently on your 'to-watch' list?

A Beauty Discount Card + Giveaway! | BEAUTY

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""What? You've got to be kidding," I hear you say. "Yep," I say, "and it couldn't be easier.""

We all know a day trip to the Spa is a lovely treat. Treating yourself to a manicure is a, well, treat! As these are treats, it's nice to do something of the sort every once in a while (or many times in a while), yet what if I told you that you could get a discount with that treat. "What? You've got to be kidding," I hear you say. "Yep," I say, "and it couldn't be easier."

 

When I first found out about the FabYOUless card, I did what most people would do: go on their website. On there I put in my postcode and noticed that the closest place I could use the card is a mere 10 minute walk away. How convenient! 

" it's nice to know you're not hurting your wallet as much when you get that fresh new mani pedi! ;)"

With FabYOUless you could be getting a great deal with your fortnightly manicure. Best of all, it's a whopping 25% off, or 50% (if you look at it in terms of 2 for 1). To top it all off, there's a giveaway! Not 1, not 2, but 10 FabYOUless cards to give away... (yep, 10!).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"the closest place I could use the card is a mere 10 minute walk away. How convenient!"

Discounts are always a good thing, and it's nice to know you're not hurting your wallet as much when you get that fresh new mani pedi! ;)

Tell me, what's your favourite treatment to get done? A Facial, massage, manicure? Leave a comment! Also, don't forget to enter that giveaway! :)

*Giveaway closes on the 25th of April 2015

Top 5 British YouTube Vloggers | LIFE

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"Be it beauty videos, or a weekly vlog, there's something about her that it so calming"

YouTube has become quite the sensation. Actually, sometimes I totally prefer watching a few videos to watching TV - and I'm sure I'm not the only one!

Watching vlogs is basically reality TV, but on a more down-to-earth, personal level. It's quite amazing how much a vlog can brighten a day, and it also is something many look forward to on an everyday basis! I can absolutely see how it's a positive environment to be a part of, and we all need a little wind-down time in our day.

So, to add to the ever growing list of vloggers you may have in your subscription list, or even to possibly get you to start a subscription list, here are my top 5 YouTube vloggers that I like to watch. 

Actually, seeing as British YouTubers are totally a thing, I thought I'd keep this list as featuring British vloggers only - otherwise there's no way I'd be able to round it down to just 5!

image source: 1/2/3/4/5/6
" I'm all for someone who's light hearted and not too serious - and if you're up for that too, you'll like his vlogs!"

In order clockwise starting from top left, is:

Jim Chapman: youtube.com/EveryDayJim

The thing with Jim, is that he's so down to earth! I like his main channel video's too and the vlogs are just like an extension to that! He's super fashionable too and it's just a good time when you watch his vlogs.

Joe Sugg: youtube.com/ThatcherJoeVlogs

The reason I think Joe's videos are fun are simply because of the witty things he comes up with. I remember in his L.A. vlogs there was a squirrel in their front garden area which he named Cedric the Squirrel, long story short, the squirrel in our garden is now officially called Susan the Squirrel (I'll show you her one day!). 

Okay, that anecdote didn't tell you much, but all in all, his randomness makes him funny. I'm all for someone who's light hearted and not too serious - and if you're up for that too, you'll like his vlogs!

Gabriella Lindley: youtube.com/PlanetGabb

She's a newbie in my books. That doesn't mean I don't like her as much as the others. In fact, I really enjoy watching her vlogs. She's living in Brighton and now has a cute little kitty! She also has the 'I don't really care what the world thinks, I'll do what I want' attitude, and I couldn't agree with her more! 

Anna Gardner: youtube.com/ViviannaDoesMakeup

I love watching Anna. Be it beauty videos, or a weekly vlog, there's something about her that it so calming. She's a great influence and seems like an amazing person to have as a bestie! Either way, she's one I couldn't not include in a British YouTuber roundup.

Lily Pebbles: youtube.com/LilyPebbles

I feel like Anna and Lily go hand-in-hand. They're often seen in each other's vlogs and if you're subscribed to one, you're likely to be subscribed to the other. It's fun to see the adventures she goes on and it's lovely to get some places-to-go-in-London recommendations! From one Londoner to another! 

You may just love these new finds, or you may have already be subscribed to them all. 

Either way, if you're a YouTube fan I'd love to know which YouTubers you'd choose as your Top 5?

Brainwavz Over-Ear Earphones | REVIEW

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"I did end up changing the tip of the earphone to better fit my needs."

Earphones. An interesting topic to chat to you about today, but one I'll address anyway. If you're anything like me, the whole thing about earphones/headphones doesn't phase me at all. I'll usually use the earphones that came with my phone. I've got the iPhone 6 and the earphones are pretty decent. If I'm looking for something that sticks more in the ear, if ya know what I mean, then I just steal my brothers earphones and he doesn't seem to mind (or he just doesn't know... whichever!). 

Over-the-ear earphones were not ones that I had particularly thought about. There are the types that look a little like hearing aids that I've seen around, yet never felt the need for them - did I mention I wasn't too fussy? These, on the other hand, do the same job as the 'hearing-aid' ones but are little more flexible... care to read on? 

"prevent that annoying headphone tangly thing that seems to happen EVERY TIME!"

One way that they're more flexible, is that they come with a bunch of accessories!

I must say, at first I didn't think they'd be much use as I'll just stick with the set that comes 'ready made', if you will. I was wrong. I did end up changing the tip of the earphone to better fit my needs. I like the ones which are foam, and not much of a fan of the flexible silicone ones which some may prefer. The thing with the foam is that it's less likely to fall out of my ear - trust me I did test it by jumping around everywhere (what better way to check, hey?!).

Another one of the 'accessories' is a case! The little case comes with tiny pockets inside which carry the extra spongey bits for you, and the little paperwork you never read but figure you might need one day! Plus, it's a great little thing to just pop into your bag and prevent that annoying headphone tangly thing that seems to happen EVERY TIME!

"You never know when you'll be in need of some pick-me-up tunes,"

Just to note: although they say they're over-the-ear earphones, I've been using them as normal straight-in-your-ear headphones and they seem just fine! In terms of the sound-quality, they sound pretty darn good. The first song I listened to with them had a bit of a base, and it sounded incredible through the earphones!

Plus, I think I prefer earphones more than headphones as they're a lot less bulky to travel with.

All in all, a great little thing to have with you. You never know when you'll be in need of some pick-me-up tunes, and these are great way to bring music to your ears (literally).

The Brainwavz S1, as they are called, is available on Amazon (LINK).

Tell me, are you more of an earphone or a headphones kind of person, or does it not make a difference? 

Blogger Spring Gift Swap | LIFE

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"there was some nail polish, which we can never get enough of,"

Being part of the blogging community is amazing! Not only being a blogger, but being a reader has so many benefits too. You get a sneak peak into someone else's life (let's face it: we're all a little nosy) and it's good to check reviews of stuff before you go ahead and purchase.

This post, however, is the evidence of the benefits of meeting people from the community. Adele from adelesmith.co.uk organised this little Spring Gift Swap. I received my end of the swap and sent it off too. I thought I'd show you what my wonderful Swap-pee sent me.

My 'swap-pee' as we have now called it, was Emily from recipesandreviews.co.uk. I've got to hand it to her, the packaging was absolutely gorgeous! I love a bit of pink and you can only guess my excitement when I opened the package.

"maybe made you feel a little more Spring-festive.. "

Inside, Emily has individually packaged each item with a few easter chocolates! It was so cute!

If you follow my instagram, you'd know about the scrapbook. Emily also knew about it and kindly sent over some washi tape! Along with that, there was some nail polish, which we can never get enough of, and stationary! It was so thoughtful of her.

"awesome community we are lucky to have"

Overall, it was a super fun thing to do, and a nice way to connect in the community!
Hopefully this has somewhat reminded you of the awesome community we are lucky to have, and maybe made you feel a little more Spring-festive.. like these posts haven't done enough of that!

Nonetheless, I hope you have a lovely day, and tell me:
What is one thing you'd put in a gift swap inspired by Spring?

Anybody Out There | BOOKS

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"you'd find yourself getting very emotional over, laughing with, crying with and definitely enjoying every second of it."

Since the last book I read (review here) I had sort of lost hope in reading. Dramatic? Yes, I guess it is a little bit. Well, when one of your favourite authors of all time end up disappointing you so much, you're bound to feel a little disheartened (J.K. Rowling, how could you?). Everything happens for a reason, and I believe it was fate that this beauty entered my life.

The best thing about the novel? The storyline kept on going. There was not one point at which I thought 'I could do with skipping a few pages'. I wanted to read and read until the cows came home - or until my eyelids gave up on me.

"It'd be one of those movies you could watch again and again."

Another thing I've got to give Mariyan credit for, the lack of confusion when she writes.
Throughout the book, especially the first half of it, there is a lot of back and forth on what's happening 'right now' and what happened in the past. The thing is: you can tell the difference. It's put very clearly and it's incredible to see how a persons life can change so dramatically.
One more thing: the protagonist is very 3 dimensional, making the whole thing even more realistic.

On the note of characters, she has done a fantastic job! There are characters of which you will end up crying of laughter over, characters who you admire and characters that you wish were your best friend.

"Everything happens for a reason, and I believe it was fate that this beauty entered my life."

If you've read a few of the previous book reviews on BBXO, you'd know the ultimate thing I judge a book over: how it visualises as being a movie.
Let me tell you, this story was definitely a movie in my head. It would be a movie you'd find yourself getting very emotional over, laughing with, crying with and definitely enjoying every second of it. It'd  be one of those movies you could watch again and again.

Have you got any books you can read again and again?