January 2020 – Playground of Randomness

31
Jan
2020

Fiction Friday: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I ordered this after seeing fanart of Feyre from “A Court of Thorns and Roses” reading it. This book certainly did not disappoint.
Lucy Hutton is everyone’s favourite good girl. Everyone except for her co-worker and office nemesis, Joshua Templeman.
From the very second that he walked into the office, Joshua has hated Lucy and so she has responded in kind.
When a promotion opportunity is announced, their competition kicks up a few notches. Lucy knows she cannot work under Josh and has to score that promotion at any cost.
But then Josh kisses her and IT IS A HELL OF A KISS.
Was it really hate between them or was it something more? And how will the promotion affect whatever it is that they have building between them?
I loved this book so very much! I devoured it and was really disappointed when it ended. Lucy and Josh have a very clear chemistry and lots of witty banter.
“The Hating Game” is well-written, funny and entertaining. This was everything!
I NEED SOMETHING SIMILAR AND IF YOU HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS, HIT ME UP!!!

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28
Jan
2020

The Importance of Self Care and How to Make Time for It

categories: Beauty

A little while back, I read a life-changing book on skincare called The Little Book of Skincare by Charlotte Cho. The book emphasized how important it was to make time for yourself and your skin. I followed the book religiously and it wasn’t long before I realized how much better I felt when I made time to take care of myself. Fast forward a few months and self-care is mentioned more and more often.

It goes beyond just the physical though. Whether it’s spending time with family and friends or just having a lazy day, self-care is what you make of it. It is taking time out to put your needs first.

What do we need self-care?

In today’s busy world, we put everyone and everything before ourselves which usually leads to burnout. By taking the time out for self-care, you put effort into making sure you’re running at perk performance. You cannot help others if you cannot help yourself first.

How to Make Time for Self-Care

Plan it in advance- Like I said before, self-care is important so if you need to actually schedule it in, do so. I have certain times and dates reserved for family or friends, Netflix and Chill or Korean sheet masks. Say it with me, “I deserve a break.”
Make it part of a routine- Maybe do your routine at a specific time or a specific day so that it lines up with your plans
Make it a priority- Life happens. If you miss out on your self-care once in a while it is no big deal but make sure you DO make sure you eventually get some down time.

What is your self-care routine? Do you make time to do it every week? I’d love to know below.

24
Jan
2020

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Playing the Odds by Nora Roberts (The MacGregors #1)

categories: Books, Reviews

Playing the Odds by Nora Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When career-orientated Serena MacGregor refuses to find herself a husband, her father, Daniel MacGregor steps in and sends gambler, Justin Blade to the cruise ship where she is working.
Daniel is confused that Justin and Serena will suit and he is right. Sparks fly as soon as the two of them meet.
However when his scheme is discovered, Serena is reluctant to go along with his plans.
I had mixed feelings about this book as Justin is originally a forceful ass to Serena. He is unable to take no for an answer which made me put the book down the first time I read it.
However I loved the description of life on a cruise ship and exotic travel locations so I picked it up again, prepared to ignore Justin’s stubborn ways but he eventually won me over.
I thought this was a good read and I can’t wait to read more about the colourful MacGregor family.

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17
Jan
2020

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Finding Perfect by Colleen Hoover

categories: Books, Reviews

Finding Perfect by Colleen Hoover

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Daniel and Six once met in a closet and impulsively had sex which resulted in a pregnancy. Since it was dark and neither of them knew each other, Six gave the baby up for adoption only to unknowningly fall in love with Daniel a while later.
In “Finding Perfect”, Daniel and Six are going through a rough patch. She’s distant and he knows that their baby is part of the reason.
Desperate to reunite the woman he lives with their child, Daniel embarks on a journey to track down their baby.
I thought “Finding Cinderella” ended rather abruptly so this was the perfect ending for me. I loved returning to this world and seeing so many familiar characters especially from “All Your Perfects.”
I actually didn’t read all of “All Your Perfects” because I fell in love with Quinn and Graham from the very first page and couldn’t bear to see the sadness of their marriage in the first few pages but this book has more than made up for it.
If you’re looking for a short but emotionally charged read, this is your book.

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10
Jan
2020

Fiction Friday: Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) by Stephanie Perkins

categories: Books, Reviews

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Isla has had a crush on Josh ever since her freshman year in their school in Paris. They’ve barely spoken and Josh has always had a girlfriend. Until now.
When Isla runs into Josh during summer in New York, the two of them share a moment. Isla is excited t0 finally have some sort of connection with her longtime crush.
But as they start a real relationship, Isla and Josh have to deal with opposition from the staff at the school, their family, friends and a whole lot of drama.
This was a well-written, quick read that I enjoyed immensely.
Josh and Isla have very clear chemistry and it’s almost not to root for them. This book had me laughing and crying throughout.
Definitely give this a try if you are interested in a light, fun book.

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04
Jan
2020

New Series: Previously On

categories: Books

How many times have you started a book in a series only to realize you don’t remember what happened in the previous book?

For me it has been happening far more than usual so I’ve decided to make a post recapping what happened in a book. Also I was watching “The Vampire Diaries” and I love the way they say “Previously On The Vampire Diaries”. (Be still, my Nian- shipping heart).

Usually I use Wikipedia for this however Wikipedia doesn’t have all the YA or Historical Fiction that I read.

So I am starting a new series called “Previously On” which does a quick review on what happened in the previous book.

03
Jan
2020

The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Cutting Carbs

categories: Welcome to The Real World

Dieting is a resolution that all of us make and very few of us actually get around to seeing it through. Now I’m not going to lie, I am a bit smug about this one since I have tried cutting out carbs and it worked great for me.

But also, I’m a really greedy person so it was important to me for me to find a way to keep the weight off without depriving myself of my favorite foods. Here are my tips as a lazy/greedy girl for cutting out carbs from your diet:

Make a commitment and stick to it– For me, I had tried time and time again to cut out carbs and it never stuck until my doctor told me I was at risk for diabetes. Never have I stuck to a diet so quickly and so strictly in my life. Think about why you want to do this and remind yourself often. Is it to look better in your jeans? Are you trying to live a healthier lifestyle? Find your why and use it as motivation.
Expect the first weeks to be hell– Remember that it is going to be hard but it is going to be worth it. My first two weeks of cutting out carbs gave me stomach cramps, no energy, sleepless nights and I was miserable. At some point the pain was so bad I just curled up in a ball and (no joke) begged for death. Just remember your why and try to stick to it.
If it’s too difficult, try cutting DOWN on carbs instead of cutting them out completely– If the pressure gets too much or if you would prefer a less intense change, try slowly cutting down on your carbs instead of cutting them out completely.
DO treat yourself on occasion– Don’t forget to reward yourself every so often for doing a good job. Make sure it’s a reward that you would enjoy but also make sure that you’re not overdoing it.
Try to make it a lifestyle change and not a quick fix– For a more permanent result, try to make your new healthy lifestyle a part of your everyday life instead of a quick change. While I no longer cut carbs completely, I am used to life without them and have found a happy balance between no carbs and my previously unhealthy lifestyle.

Have you ever tried a diet? What did you think? I’d love to know below about your experience.

03
Jan
2020

Fiction Friday: Awkward Abroad by Rachel Rhodes

categories: Books, Reviews

Awkward Abroad by Rachel Rhodes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amber Holland has the perfect life. Lavish, luxurious and all funded by her father. When a night out goes too far, her father decides to cut her off and ship her off to Beijing.
Amber has to stick it out for a year and make it on her own with the assistance of her former best friend and her father’s current employee and watchdog, Kent James.
As Amber adjusts to her new life abroad she makes friends and a life on her own. But Amber soon discovers an easier although riskier way to make a living.
If she’s successful she can get through the year without a hitch. If not, Kent might drag her back home to face her father.
I bought this immediately after finishing “Awkward in Print” and I loved it immensely. This book is well-written, hilarious and entertaining. It is a quick read that can be read in one sitting and I strongly recommend this book if you want something light and fun.

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Month: January 2020

What do we need self-care?

How to Make Time for Self-Care