Feb
2018

Fashion Inspired by Elena Gilbert

categories: Fashion

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Elena has a super-simple approach to fashion. She dresses like she woke up, threw on the first items she saw and doesn’t care because she KNOWS she looks good. I love that her style is so casual but still looks great. Here are a few tips for getting her look as seen in season 1.

1) Keep it simple- Elena generally has little to no make-up and her hair is left straight and flowing. Who has time for getting dressed up when you’re being chased by your doppelganger ancestor’s old boy – toys (creepy dude in the hoodie, I’m talking about you).

2) Solid, dark colours- I don’t remember seeing Elena in any kind of patterned top. She chooses dark colours like purple and green and her tops are of one solid colour.

3) Bootleg jeans- Again, I think this is just her way of showing how amazing she looks without trying. When last did you see anyone with bootleg jeans? Elena pulls them off effortlessly.

4) Comfortable running shoes- when you’re walking around in graveyards or running away from vampires, you need shoes for comfort. While Katherine chooses to strut around in heels that she’s compelled from some poor soul, Elena chooses to wear flats and Chuck Taylors.


Feb
2018

5 Tips For Improving Your Productivity in College

categories: College

My words to live by are “Work hard, party harder”. This is excellent advice especially if you’re in college. But how do you manage to be productive when you’re just not feeling it? Here are a few tried and tested tips to help you be as productive as possible,

1) Keep a constant routine- have a set time for sleeping and waking up. Try as much as possible to stick to this because it reduces the possibility of you falling asleep in class. Yes, we all want to sleep in class because it’s boring but that’s not very productive.

2) Pay attention in class. Always record the lecture- when I first started sleeping in class, it was totally accidental. First my mind would wander off, then I’d try to rest my eyes and then I would jerk awake. If you know you’re tired/lazy, record the lecture to listen to later. This works especially well for assignments since you can go back and play the recording to find out precisely what is expected of you. Also when you’re actually listening to the lecturer it’s easier to remember what’s being covered in class.

3) Write things down as soon as possible- use your school calender plus your syllabi (is that the plural of syllabus? I’m not entirely sure…) and note down important dates such as tests, projects, when campus closes and reopens as well as the last day for changing your courses. This will a) help you to see important dates and b) you’ll know when you’re busy with a pile of essays or tests.

4) Set your own deadlines- if you have your own deadlines preferably a day or two earlier than the actual due date you’ll get work done faster. You may also have enough time to get a tutor to edit your essay or cover last-minute concepts with your lecturer.

5) Start work as soon as you get it- I don’t mean write the essay or read 3 chapters for that test. Do something small just to make a tiny dent in your workload. List points for your essay or skim a chapter in the textbook. It makes things easier if you start off small. You’ll eventually be able to tackle the entire essay/textbook.


Feb
2018

The Playground of Randomness Guide to College: Orientation

categories: College

I remember my Orientation as if it were yesterday. Though in reality it was 2 years ago. Time really does fly!
Orientation or O-week as some call it is possibly the most exciting time for a freshman. It’s your first look at the campus when you know with absolute certainty that you’re going to be a part of it.
But try not to lost yourself in all the magic of the moment. Orientation is your time to familiarise yourself with campus and learn how everything works.

What Actually Goes On:
Some colleges may be different but my Orientation started with a long speech from the Chancellor(that I sat outside for since I had heard the same speech when I arrived for Parents Day).
Most colleges have a campus tour. Pay careful attention to this because not only will it prevent you from getting lost, it will help you understand how everything functions.
Handouts about courses are passed out some times. You may even get a handbook- guard it with your life! I have both an actual handbook and a pdf file. I also stalked my college websites and social networking sites for months before I was accepted but I don’t recommend that. I still feel very creepy about that. But my point is- I was super-excited about college. And you should be too.

What I Did:
(Or also known as ‘Mistakes I Made That You Should Avoid’)
I swear there’s gona be an entirely separate blog post on all my college mistakes but that’s for another day.
For Orientation my campus tour guide wasn’t audible to the people in the back of our 40-50 people group…so I skipped the tour and went with a friend’s cousin instead.
The plus of this was that she completed our registration for us(ie the part where you choose your classes) and we didn’t have to wait in a line. We also got our own private tour.
The downsides was that I didn’t receive a handbook(the copy I got was one that I found) and I also was lost about how to use the library and the computer labs.
Eventually, with the help of a few older students who were friends, I managed to figure out what needed to be done but I still have no idea how to use the library copier or how to print out anything should I need to.
I also missed out on fun activities. I knew colleges had events for freshmen to bond over but only saw the flyers once my first official week of college had started- which was too late.
Bottom line- do yourself a favour, attend your Orientation and pay attention! You’ll be grateful later on.
Xoxo


Feb
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- My True Love Gave to Me by Stephanie Perkins

categories: Books, Reviews

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday StoriesMy True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For some bizarre reason I have really been feeling for a YA contemporary read. Normally I don’t do YA contemporary. I am strictly a YA fantasy and adult contemporary fan (don’t ask me why but this is the way I have always been).
I picked this up to try and fill that craving and it definitely worked! This is a collection of twelve wonderful romances that can be read in one setting. Many of these authors are some of my favourites and it was great to see them write these bite-size stories. For me, personally, I hated that Real Life got in the way of me reading this book but I loved that I could read a story a day. It was like having Christmas in January (which is something I really needed). I also enjoyed the fact that these stories were all guaranteed a happy ending. The stories range from cute and sweet to magical and mystifying. This was a cute holiday read that I recommend to anyone who is looking for a good contemporary. I can’t wait to read the Summer anthology.

View all my reviews


Feb
2018

Budgeting 101

categories: Welcome to The Real World

Nothing makes me happier than having money at the end of the money, BEFORE payday arrives. I’ve been working for about a year and it still amazes me that the one thing in my life I have relatively good control over is my finances. Is it because I live with my parents? Is it because I have fewer expenses than most people? Maybe. But I personally believe that it’s my very strict budget. All through my life my father has told me that I don’t know how to budget (which at the time was true). However when you start working for your money, you learn quickly what works for you and what doesn’t. Here is my quick course on budgeting:

 

1) Save before you spend: Before you start drawing up your budget, be sure to put aside some money in a savings account. I have a certain amount set to transfer to a savings account every month as soon as I get paid. Which leads me to my next point…

2) Pretend you earn less than you actually do: I consider my earnings as a little less than the amount I have left AFTER I have saved. For example, if I have R500 after saving then I pretend I earn R300. That R500 is to remain untouched until absolutely necessary (I will discuss this later). This method work out as a great way for me to save money since at the end of every month I am surprised by my bank balance. Why do I still have money? Oh, yes- I earn more than I think I do. It feels like a present from me to me. Thank you, me.

3) Make a budget…but round everything up: I like to round up my expenses to the nearest hundred. This ensures that I am able to cover them sufficiently as well as having some extra money in case I need it. For example, the petrol price went up by a HUGE amount one month. It was a major strain on finances but it affected me just a small bit because of all the money I have saved.

4) Similarly, round up your spending budget as well: Make a list of what your usual purchases are and round that up too. I always over-budget for food (which I rarely buy) and clothes (just in case it turns out that I’m outgrowing them…AGAIN) so I know that I am always covered.

5) Remember to keep something for a rainy day: This is very important. Put aside money to use in case of an emergency. When I first started work, I was crazy about this. I insisted on keeping R500 in my account no matter what. I wouldn’t use the money even if I had no money for petrol or food. That money was not to be touched. This came in handy when all of a sudden, my car battery died and needed to be replaced. I was thrilled that my responsible ways finally paid off.

How do you budget? Are there any tips you have that I might have missed? I’d love to know below.


Jan
2018

Waiting on Wednesday: Still Me (Me Before You #3) by Jojo Moyes

categories: Books

I loved the first two books in this series and I still mourn Will. Especially when I read the extract of “Still Me.” Lou is as entertaining as ever (but nothing- NOTHING- will ever make me forget Will).

 

Release Date: January 30th 2018 by Pamela Dorman Books

 

Official Synopsis by Goodreads.com: 

Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She is thrown into the world of the superrich Gopniks: Leonard and his much younger second wife, Agnes, and a never-ending array of household staff and hangers-on. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her job and New York life within this privileged world.

Before she knows what’s happening, Lou is mixing in New York high society, where she meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. In Still Me, as Lou tries to keep the two sides of her world together, she finds herself carrying secrets–not all her own–that cause a catastrophic change in her circumstances. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places?


Jan
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- A Season of You (Cloud Bay, #2) by Emma Douglas

categories: Books, Reviews

A Season of You (Cloud Bay, #2)A Season of You by Emma Douglas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Will has been in love with Mina since the minute he saw her. However, Mina was married so Will kept his distance from her. Now she’s a widow whose husband was killed by a drunk driver while Will is the owner of a whiskey distillery. One day, Mina meets with an accident and Will saves her which puts them back on each other’s paths. But can Mina really move on from her loss especially considering Will’s career?
This was a really sweet Christmas read which I found incredibly enjoyable. Will and Mina have very clear chemistry and I loved watching their relationship unfold. There was no fluff. Their relationship was sweet and real- they both had issues which they worked through and I haven’t seen that in too many romance books. This is a well-written book with great characters. I can’t wait to read the sequel! This book is a must for anyone who enjoys Christmas or contemporary romance fiction.

View all my reviews


Jan
2018

Waiting on Wednesday: Everless by Sara Holland

categories: Books

Every so often there’s a book that is talked about non-stop in the book community. Booktubers, bookstagrammers and book bloggers all rave about the early copies while reader’s eagerly await the release of said book. Everless is one of these books for me. While the book is already released in some parts of the world (actually I feel like it’s released everywhere but here), it only comes out in February for South African bookworms. (Seriously I’m going to move overseas just for books).

Release date: January 4th 2018 by Orchard Books (first published January 2nd 2018)

Synopsis from Goodreads.com:

Time is a prison. She is the key. Packed with danger, temptation and desire – a perfect read for fans of The Red Queen.

In the land of Sempera, the rich control everything – even time. Ever since the age of alchemy and sorcery, hours, days and years have been extracted from blood and bound to iron coins. The rich live for centuries; the poor bleed themselves dry.

Jules and her father are behind on their rent and low on hours. To stop him from draining himself to clear their debts, Jules takes a job at Everless, the grand estate of the cruel Gerling family.

There, Jules encounters danger and temptation in the guise of the Gerling heir, Roan, who is soon to be married. But the web of secrets at Everless stretches beyond her desire, and the truths Jules must uncover will change her life for ever … and possibly the future of time itself.

‘Sara Holland is a fierce storyteller. An intoxicating blend of blood, secrets, and haunting mythology, Everless gives new and terrifying meaning to the phrase running out of time.’ Stephanie Garber, New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of Caraval


Jan
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Rebel Faerie (Creepy Hollow, #9) by Rachel Morgan

categories: Books, Reviews

Rebel Faerie (Creepy Hollow, #9)Rebel Faerie by Rachel Morgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an ebook copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Emerson teams up with Calla to help her parents and Dash. Problem is, no one knows where the Guild has taken the Griffin Rebels or what is happening to them. Meanwhile Emerson is struggling with having such immense power but not being able to save her loved ones.
“Rebel Faerie”was a really fast, action-packed read and I enjoyed it immensely. The darker side of the Guild is finally revealed to Creepy Hollow and this time the Guild isn’t bothering to cover their ways.
I loved seeing favourite characters from previous books in the series. I was more than a little heart-sore since “Rebel Faerie” is the last book in the Creepy Hollow series. We’re never going to see these characters again! This book was incredibly well-written and the character development was amazing. The series ended beautifully (why did it have to end though? I love this series!) and it was great seeing the characters finally get their happy endings. This is a great read for anyone who enjoys fantasy fiction.

View all my reviews


Jan
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Confessions of a Shopaholic (Shopaholic #1) by Sophie Kinsella

categories: Books, Reviews

Confessions of a Shopaholic (Shopaholic, #1)Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Becky Bloomwood is a shopaholic who is seriously in debt. She can’t afford most of her lifestyle but that doesn’t stop her. Sure she tries to cut down on her spending or making more money but nothing seems to work for her.
The only reason why I read this book is to see how alike Becky and I am (in case you were interested- we’re pretty similar in our spending habits but as of this moment, I am debt-free). I enjoyed this book immensely. Becky is a very colourful character and her exploits were hilarious.
My only issue with this book is that there seemed to be very little plot. The first half of the book is about Becky’s debt while in the second half, she manages to find herself a guy. Luke and Becky’s relationship seemed almost like an after-thought and I saw no chemistry between them. This was a fun read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys chick-lit or wants a light, easy read.

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