Flowers & Flocking Powder nails

I've seen people using flocking powder on their nails for a while, so I bought some flocking powder off eBay and I finally decided to give it a go. It took me so long to get round to using my flocking powder because I wasn't sure what to do! My pack has 12 different colours so you can imagine it was difficult to decide.

Finally, I decided to do the mani above. I think light pink and mint green look great together but I wanted to do more. I thought sweet white & pink flowers would just top it off.

I started the flowers by doing the middle part and then the petals. To achieve the middle of the flower I used a dotting tool to blob on orange and once that was dry I did the same step again with yellow. Use a small brush and do small brush strokes to create the flower petals. I did the pink flower petals first and once they were dry I did the white petals.

I watched this great video to get an idea of how to put the flocking powder on my nails. The effect of the powder on the nail is awesome! Unfortunately it didn't last long for me, It lasted only a couple of days until most of it had rubbed off. That won't stop me from doing it again because it's very simple and looks fantastic!

Have you used flocking powder before?

An author I'm never letting go of

The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1) by Patrick Ness

Rating: 4 out of 5 hearts

478 pages

Released: May 2008

Buy it @ book depository

Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee -- whose thoughts Todd can hear too, whether he wants to or not -- stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden -- a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.

But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought?

Check out this book trailer - it's amazing!

Review

"The Noise is a man unfiltered, and without a filter, a man is just chaos walking.” 

I read and reviewed "A Monster Calls" which was also written by Patrick Ness and it was AMAZING! It was too hard to express it's awesomeness, this book is also pretty amazing. Ness has an incredible talent to writing a story.

The writing style was hard to get used to, but it didn't take long for me to fall deep into the story. It's difficult to get used to because there's deliberate grammar mistakes to give the reader the sense that the characters aren't well read or very clever. I feel that listening to this on Audio helped with getting used to the writing mainly because I didn't have to read the mistakes.

I loved the idea of the "Noise". Of being able to hear everyone's thoughts, even animals. It's so unique and I think Ness did a fantastic job of writing it in a way that was believable.

Todd and manchee are a perfect team. Then they meet up with Viola and the twosome becomes a threesome. Manchee reminded me of Dug, the dog from Up (the disney-pixar movie), mainly because he's a talking dog and because at one point in the story he spots a squirrel and yells "SQUIRREL" just like Dug in Up. Todd and Viola are two young kids I want to wrap up in my arms and keep them away from the bad men. But I wouldn't need to do that because they have so much strength and take care of themselves, It made you want to root for them.

This is a very long winded epic story about two kids and their dog who are walking, and at times running, away from the bad guys. But there's so much more in this book to enjoy. There's mystery, friendship, love and heartbreak. There are many twists and turns with lots getting revealed along the way, some things I had guessed but most was very eye-opening.

In a way this reminded me of World War two. There's an evil dictator who determines a certain group of people are bad and influences the rest of the people to take them to war. Even when the certain group have done nothing wrong. 

The book ended with a bit of a cliff hanger but not big enough for me to rip my hair out. I really look forward to reading the next book in the series.

On the cover

I don't particuarly like this cover but it's perfect for this book. The noise, the knife and the trees in the background. There is another cover I have seen which has the same red knife but the background is white, I prefer that cover.

What I'm listening to next: Ashes by Ilsa Bick

Wishlist #5

1. Mr Fox X Body Bage ~ £7.50

2. Black Milk Middle Earth Map Leggings ~ $85.00

3. Birthday Cake - Neon Handmade Nail Polish ~ $9.00

4. Sleepy Owl Ear Flap Hat/Beanie ~ $35.00

5. Raccoon shrink plastic studs ~ $20.00

1. This bag is so adorable. I already own a foxy bag but this one would be awesome! Check out those lashes, I think this is a Mrs Fox not Mr Fox bag hehe.

2. I want these leggings so badly! Being the huge lord of the rings fan I am, I need them for my collection.

3. How cool does this nail polish look. I love the neon colours and I can imagine it on my nails right now.

4. There's still a few more weeks left of winter and one of these owl beanies would be great to keep my head warm.

5. These raccoon earrings are super cute critter earrings range from Core Jewellery. I want all of them!

What's on your wishlist?

Picoult is a true storyteller

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

Rating: 5 out of 5 hearts

460 pages

Released: February 2013

Buy it @ book depository

Sage Singer befriends an old man who's particularly beloved in her community. Josef Weber is everyone's favorite retired teacher and Little League coach. They strike up a friendship at the bakery where Sage works. One day he asks Sage for a favor: to kill him. Shocked, Sage refuses…and then he confesses his darkest secret - he deserves to die, because he was a Nazi SS guard. Complicating the matter? Sage's grandmother is a Holocaust survivor.

What do you do when evil lives next door? Can someone who's committed a truly heinous act ever atone for it with subsequent good behavior? Should you offer forgiveness to someone if you aren't the party who was wronged? And most of all - if Sage even considers his request - is it murder, or justice?

Review

“My grandmother told me that her father used to ask her a riddle: What must you break apart in order to bring a family close together?

Bread, of course.”   

Jodi Picoult has won me over again with the beautifully written tale of sadness, war, love & forgiveness. To begin with I wasn't all that sure about this, but after getting through the first few chapters the tale truly began.

Picoult doesn't stray away from her normal tradition of writing from multiple characters points of view, which in my opinion gives the reader a greater understanding of each characters personalities. The main players are: Sage; the baker, Josef; the elderly ex-nazi, Minka; Sage's Jewish grandmother and Leo; the love interest. Even though Sage is the main character, her grandmother Minka really stole the show with her story. I think I loved this book so much because of Minka, her story was so moving and it felt like it was a true re-telling of someone's life during World war 2.

Something new that I haven't noticed Picoult do before this is write a book mainly from one person's point of view. Probably 50% of the book is Minka's story and weaved through that is a story within her story. I really liked that she did this, it was a really nice change.

I find that Picoult has a great way of telling romance from a male character's point of view. We are lucky enough to get that again in this with Leo, it helps ease some of the more tense parts of the story. Leo is more than just a love interest though but I won't tell you what that is because it may give too much away.

There must've been a great deal of research done to write this because of the amount of detail that is told not only during the World war 2 scenes, but also the process of making bread (as this is Sage's job it's spoken about quite a lot). There was also a pretty big twist which I had kind of guessed but it was still very well done.

If you are a fan of Jodi Picoult or even if you aren't, you MUST read this book! I look forward to see what she writes next.

On the cover

This isn't the normal cover, this is the audiobook cover. I actually like it, the colours and the dress the girl is wearing is really nice. The barbed wire fence is very poignant.

What I'm listening to next: The Knife of never letting go by Patrick Ness

Books I'm pining for July

"Books I'm pining for" is a feature for new and old books that I want to read. So I thought I would share with everyone these books and to find out what books you are pining for. Most of these you may notice are sequels to other books I really enjoyed.

A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty

Madeleine Tully lives in Cambridge, England, the World – a city of spires, Isaac Newton and Auntie’s Tea Shop.

Elliot Baranski lives in Bonfire, the Farms, the Kingdom of Cello – where seasons roam, the Butterfly Child sleeps in a glass jar, and bells warn of attacks from dangerous Colours.

They are worlds apart – until a crack opens up between them; a corner of white – the slim seam of a letter.

A mesmerising story of two worlds; the cracks between them, the science that binds them and the colours that infuse them.

This sounds so cool and written by an Australian. I always like to read local authors stuff.

The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up.

Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal.

Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all.

Kiersten White is a favourite author of mine and I look forward to reading something new from her. It's also about Egyptian mythology which sounds awesome!

Just One Year by Gayle Forman

After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, Just One Year is Willem's story, picking up where Just One Day ended. His story of their year of quiet longing and near misses is a perfect counterpoint to Allyson's own as Willem undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately, redefining himself.

I really liked 'Just One Day' and it ended so abruptly that I can't wait to read from Willem's point of view.

BZRK Reloaded by Michael Grant

The entire BZRK cell--including Noah and Sadie--has been left in pieces after the last round of battle with the Armstrong Twins, conjoined brother who plot to rob mankind of its free will. Vincent's mind is shattered, and his memories hold dangerous secrets--secrets that Lear, BZRK's mysterious leader, will stop at nothing to protect.

Meanwhile, Bug Man has taken control of the President's brain, but playing with sanity is a dangerous game. The consequences can spiral way out of control, and the Armstrong Twins are not people Bug Man can afford to disappoint.

The nano is as terrifying, exhilarating, and unpredictable as ever. But the wall of secrets that surrounds it is cracking. What will it reveal? And once the dust has settled, who will be sane enough to find out?

The first book was so fast-paced and I look forward to seeing what else Michael Grant can throw at me.

Dare you to by Katie McGarry

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

I adored 'Pushing the limits' and I am hoping that Katie McGarry delivers on this companion novel.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

This is set the year before I was born so it will be cool to see what growing up during that time will be like. I've also heard some great things about this.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

This sounds amazing! Right up my alley - thrills and mystery, maybe even some romance thrown in.

Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her.

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

With such a cliffhanger at the end of the first book, it was always going to end up on my pining for list.

That's it for now, What books are you pining for?

Story was a little dead

The dead and buried by Kim Harrington

Rating: 2 out of 5 hearts

295 pages

Released: January 2013

Buy it @ book depository

A haunted house, a buried mystery, and a very angry ghost make this one unforgettable thriller.

Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.

Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school — until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?

Review

"And perhaps heavier than the ghosts were the secrets we carried"

Ok, I have to start by saying that this book wasn't horrible, it just wasn't for me. I was expecting a really chilling story and a mystery behind it to boot. It was all a little sub par.

The idea behind the book was really intriguing and I liked how the book was written. The book was written from the main character, Jade's, point of view but every now again there is a diary entry written from the ghost girl back when she was alive. This was cool because we as the reader get a little more insight to maybe what happened to her, while the characters don't know.

I think what did let me down though was the mystery, I had it pegged from very early on who murdered the girl. At one stage though the author did manage to make me second guess myself which was good. Another thing that let the story down a tiny bit was the less than eerie feel. I was hoping for real moments of spookyness but I didn't get that.

On a little side note, something I really loved was that Jade collects jewelry with precious gemstones in them and It was awesome to read the different meanings for each stone whenever Jade would wear one. It got me inspired to want to have a gemstone collection of my own.

The Dead and buried got two stars from me because I was very disappointed and was expecting so much more from this because it had lots of potential.

On the cover

I've read a couple of books recently where girls are lying on the ground. Its a bit weird, is she dead? If so I don't like the idea of showing off a cover with a dead person on the front. I guess a lot of crime/thriller writers have some sort body part on the cover of their book but I really don't think this books warrants a dead body.

What I'm reading next: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge

We are more than halfway through the year and I am more than halfway through my goodreads 2013 reading challenge. I decided to challenge myself with reading 60 books this year, At the moment I'm 4% ahead of schedule. I wanted to show off all the books I've read so far. I love looking at the different covers, It shows that I have a wide variety of books that I like to read. Here are all the covers so far...

Have you read any of these books? Let me know what you thought and check out my good reads account to see reviews of these books.