Feb
2019

Fiction Friday: Book Review- P.S I Still Love You by Jenny Han (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #2)

categories: Books, Reviews
P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #2)

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Lara Jean and Peter are finally really together and they are an absolutely ADORABLE couple. But Gen is still lurking in the picture. Peter swears that there is nothing between them but why does it seem like Gen is more a part of Lara Jean’s life now than before?
With the reappearance of John Ambrose, another one of the boys Lara Jean wrote love letters to, Lara Jean is forced to consider who she wants to be with.
This was a cute read however I was in a book slump and struggled to finish it. I also cannot forgive Peter for allowing Gen back into his life (I don’t care what the reason was).
This was a fun, light read that I strongly recommend to anyone who enjoys contemporary. There were several new colourful characters introduced which was highly entertaining. I especially enjoyed seeing the development of Lara Jean’s relationship with Peter and John Ambrose.



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Feb
2019

How to Take Lecture Notes

categories: College

I would like to start by pointing out that everyone is different and everyone has different ways of doing things. You may not agree with my tips but it’s vital that you know what works for you and what doesn’t. Kay, here we go!

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1) Write notes instead of typing them- writing notes helps you to remember them better. Also if you write instead of type there’s less chance of you being distracted by Facebook on your laptop.

2) Record notes so you don’t forget/fall asleep- I love recording my notes. It’s like having a PVR for lectures. You can listen to the recordings whenever you want as well as have a copy of precisely what the lecturer is looking for in essays and projects.

3) Take a rough draft first- Nobody has time for a perfect set of notes especially when you’re in the lecture. Write a rough set of notes that you are able to understand. You can clarify it later and make it look pretty. My notes always start off as a bunch of illegible words and some very neatly written reminders of how I want to sleep. No that’s not a joke.

4) Use colour- when you’re rewriting your notes use colour to make themes stand out. For my Human Resources class I had two different colours for the work that was tested as a question and the work tested as an essay.

5) Make sure that YOU understand- whether your notes are plain or coloured, neat or horrifying the most important thing is that you’re able to understand them. These are your notes and when exam time rolls around you’re the one who needs to be able to understand them.

What is your go-to guide for writing notes?


Feb
2019

Anatomy of a Cover Letter

categories: Career, College, Job Hunting Tips

I detest cover letters. Is there anything more difficult to write? Thankfully, cover letters are one of those things that get easier to do with time. Below, I’ve listed a short guide to what your cover letter should look like.

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Address to who you’re writing

Dear Sir/Madam
(it’s always a good idea to know who’s going to be receiving your application and then addressing them here. It shows that you have done your research on the business).

Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself. State your name, where you go to school and what you’re studying. State why you’re applying. Make sure you catch the readers attention so that he or she is eager to continue reading.

Paragraph 2: Highlight anything important you think they need to know. For example, have you have previous experience in this field?
Do you have a skill that makes you excellent for the job? EVERYTHING is important. Jobs teach you skills that can be used in any field.

Paragraph 3: Make it clear that you will be an asset to them. Whether it’s because you thrive on pressure and deadlines or because you have amazing qualifications, show the company that they should want to hire you.

I look forward to your response

Sincerely,

Enter full name here


Feb
2019

Fiction Friday: Thief by Tarryn Fisher (Love Me With Lies #3)

categories: Books, Reviews
Thief (Love Me with Lies, #3)

Thief by Tarryn Fisher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I actually cannot remember most of this novel (which is worrying considering that I spent so much time invested in this series).
“Thief” follows Caleb and Olivia in the aftermath of his divorce. Once again they are drawn together when Olivia and her husband start to have issues.
This was a sweet read that almost made up for all of the emotional strain the previous books put me through.
I especially enjoyed seeing how Caleb and Olivia have changed over the years. It is made clear that though they have made mistakes in the past, they have both grown from it.
This was a wonderfully emotional series that made me cry, rage and almost throw my cellphone across the room but I enjoyed it immensely.



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Feb
2019

Fashion Inspired by Katherine Pierce

categories: Fashion

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Katherine believes that more is more. After all, she was with both Salvatore brothers.
When it comes to her style, Katherine chooses to dress for seduction rather than comfort. She’s been running away from her past for years but that’s no reason not to look great while doing it. Besides, it’s not like she’s paying for them. When you’re compelling for clothes you can use anything you want to.

1) Dark colours- like Elena, Katherine also chooses to wear dark colours. However her outfits have more of a mysterious edge to it. Katherine wears dark colours because they look great on her. Think rich shades of black, purple and blue.

2) Skinny jeans- Unlike Elena, Katherine prefer skinny jeans to bootleg. And why not? She looks amazing in them. As she’s pointed out to anyone who would listen, Katherine sees herself as the more attractive of the two. Katherine is almost always seen in skinny jeans.

3) Sexy and seductive – Katherine chooses low – cut tops to accentuate her…um, assets. All those years of repressing her wild ways during the Victorian era must have really drove her wild. Katherine also always has boots or high heels.

4) Accessorise- Have you ever seen Katherine with no accessories? No, I didn’t think you did. Katherine goes all out with her accessories and she looks great!

Katherine Pierce and Elena Gilbert may be played by the same person but their styles are miles apart.


Feb
2019

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Dirty Red by Tarryn Fisher (Love Me With Lies #2)

categories: Books, Reviews
Dirty Red (Love Me with Lies, #2)

Dirty Red by Tarryn Fisher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


After reading “The Opportunist”and realising that “Dirty Red” was Leah’s story, I had zero interest in continuing with this series.
I could never forgive Caleb or Olivia for both of their deceptions and Leah was my least favourite story so I had no desire to learn any more about her.
However after reading about two pages of this and after completing “Verity”, I NEEDED another flawed, bordering-on-psychotic female to follow. So I picked this up again and it did not disappoint.
Leah finally has her marriage to Caleb as well as a beautiful baby. Sure, he might seem to care more for the crying brat than he does for her. But he is away from Olivia and that is what matters. Or does it?
Olivia may be out of their lives physically but she is still a part of Caleb’s mental space. As Leah and Caleb struggle with their marriage and their differing opinions on parenthood, there might still be space for Olivia to wriggle her way back in anyway.
By the end of this book, I had a reluctant understanding and sympathy for Leah. She is a flawed woman who loved a guy who did not love her back. Yes, she is a bitch. But this novel shows that this bitch does have a heart.
This was a well-written read that I could not put down and I enjoyed it immensely. I have never read a book, let alone a series, about so many flawed characters and this change was good.
Definitely pick this up.



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Jan
2019

Why You Should Save for A Rainy Day

categories: Welcome to The Real World

Yesterday I got in to my pretty, shiny (it had just been washed the day before) car to go to church. I was feeling pretty good about myself since I was fifteen minutes earlier and the weather had changed from constant rain to a dull sun.

I turned the key in the ignition, felt the car vibrate and then heard a sound of my nightmares. The awful crank of a car NOT starting. I stared at my dashboard in shock. NO! NO NO NO!

My dad had the habit of parking my automatic car in Neutral. Did I start the car on Neutral? Nope, I checked. And the radio was working so whatever this fault was, it was not the battery.

Fear was fast making it’s way around my body. Something was wrong with the car. And whatever IT was. I already knew I would not be able to pay for it without suffering for the rest of the month.

Here’s the thing- I am pretty good when it comes to my money. However this year I chose to do a course online in Digital Marketing and I used any extra income of mine to pay off this course.

After nine painful hours of trying to track down a mechanic on a Sunday, we managed to locate one. He agreed to look at the car and confirmed that there was water damage.

Please let us take a minute to appreciate this irony. I took advantage of the rain to wash the car and that was what caused the car to not start.

After trying repeatedly to start the car, he finally managed to fix it and charged me R350.

Don’t get me wrong. I was glad that it was nothing serious and R350 is not much compared to the thousands I imagined spending on the car.

However it certainly dampens my spirit that I do not have any extra cash for the month ahead (which is still four days away).

Moral of the story: Save for a rainy day. They may take a while to come but even sunny Durban has them.


Jan
2019

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Friend Request by Laura Marshall

categories: Books, Reviews
Friend Request

Friend Request by Laura Marshall

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Louise receives a Facebook invitation from her childhood classmate Maria Weston. But Maria Weston is dead. Or atleast that is what everyone else thinks.
Maria and Louise were the closest of friends back in high school before Louise abandoned her to join the popular crowd.
Louise is well-aware of what happened the last night Mara was seen. Louise is part of the group that played an awful prank on Maria before she died. But there was no body found. Could Maria actually be alive?
As Louise starts to gets creepy messages from Maria’s Facebook account she is more and more convinced that Maria might be back and looking for revenge.
This was am intriguing read that I devoured in one sitting. There were countless plot twists which I enjoyed immensely. If you are looking for an unpredictable read, I strongly suggest this one.



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Jan
2019

My Most Anticipated Reads for 2019

categories: Books
Person reading open book

2019 looks to be a great year in books with several of my favourite authors releasing new reads. Here are the books I am most excited for:

  1. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo- I devoured the “Grishaverse” books as well as the “Six of Crows” series. It has been too long since I read a book set in this universe and I CANNOT WAIT for this book to release.
  2. Devil’s Daughter by Lisa Kleypas- I love anything by Lisa Kleypas especially if it is historical. Interested in historical romance? You can read a snippet of “Devil’s Daughter” here.
  3. Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus- “One of Us is Lying” was one of my favourite mysteries of all-time so I cannot wait to read this.
  4. Again But Better by Christine Riccio- Book vlogger Christine Riccio releases her debut novel and if it is even a fraction as funny as she is, we are all in for a treat.
  5. Finale by Stephanie Garber- Stephanie Garber’s “Caraval” series will finally come to an end with “Finale”. Personally while I have enjoyed this series, I cannot wait. I have questions that I need answered about Dante and his past.
  6. The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton- Picking up from the cliffhanger ending where most of my favourite characters (and one character I absolutely detested) were on the run, a resistance is building up. I love books about a team of people resisting the usual order. There is just something about people getting together to fight and overthrow the usual social order that makes me feel warm and cozy.
  7. The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh- Renee Ahdieh tackles vampires in New Orleans in this novel and I am SO HERE FOR IT! I adore Renee Ahdieh’s writing and world-building so I just know that this is going to be a great read.
  8. Queen of Ruin by Tracy Banghart- “Grace and Fury” was impossible to put down and I cannot wait to see how the story continues in this next book.

What books are you most excited for in 2019? Let me know below.

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Jan
2019

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Verity by Colleen Hoover

categories: Books, Reviews

VerityVerity by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lowen Ashleigh and Jeremy Crawford meet at the site of a horrific accident. The two of them connect over this unfortunate event as well the tragedies that have struck them in their lives.
Jeremy hires Lowen to ghost-write a series that his now injured wife cannot complete. Lowen, who is unable to turn down the money due to her financial struggles, agrees and moves in to the Crawford home.
Lowen’s plan is simply- sort through Verity Crawford’s notes and get out as soon as possible. However she stumbles across a chilling autobiography written by Verity. This story paints a very different picture of who Verity is as well as the day her daughter died.
As Jeremy and Lowen grow closer, she considers whether or not to tell him the truth. Jeremy may be devoted to his wife but surely that would change once he finds out who she really is.
This was a creepy read that I devoured in one setting. “Verity” is well-written with an intriguing plot. I could not read fast enough and was left speechless at the end. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a memorable read.

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