The Big Book Haul #2

Morning guys! So first and foremost I would like to say I'm sorry for being a little absent the past couple of weeks but I've just been busy to be honest and unfortunately had no posts scheduled to compensate for that. However I'm back today with a huge book haul! The last one I did (you can read here) was pretty successful and I've since had requests for another so here it is...

Sharp Objects
Written by the woman who brought us the incredible 'Gone Girl', Sharp Objects was Flynn's debut novel. Ever since being hooked on Gone Girl I thought I'd give another of Gillian Flynn's novels a go. Sharp Objects has a very dark story line and wasn't at all what I'd expected but in a good way. I wasn't absolutely hooked on this book like I was with Gone Girl where I think I didn't anything except some crackers for like 3 days straight. However I read this book in my spare moments throughout the end of January and start of February. I read it pretty much every day in lunch hour at work and picked it up occasionally in the evening. I would really recommend it. If you enjoyed Gone Girl you will definitely enjoy this. Like I say though, the story line is a dark one, it's very messed up but very interesting. I don't want to give you a whole synopsis because I don't want to ruin the book for you.

Blender Girl
Oh my. After ordering this book I was praying for the day that it would land on my door step and when it did I let out a little squeak of celebration. Since turning Vegetarian and mostly  Vegan where possible I have discovered a new found love for food but not even junk food - healthy wholesome food. This book covers everything from Juicing, Smoothies, Fuss Free Lunches, Meal prep etc and the best thing about it? Everything is Vegan! This is pretty much my new food and lifestyle bible which I know will be continuously dusted off to give me more inspiration.

Pretty Honest
Pretty Honest by Sali Hughes is the no nonsense, straight talking beauty book that covers literally everything you can think of beauty based from what products to use for your skin combination to who you should be watching on Youtube. It's a fairly expensive book but worth the investment in my eye. Not only does it have a super aesthetically pleasing cover but it also has great content.

The World According To Karl
A little comical book of anecdotes from the legendary director of Chanel - Karl Lagerfield. I find this book so humorous and interesting, so much so in fact that I actually pick this book up fairly regularly whether it be to make me laugh or give me some inspiration. Karl Lagerfield is one of the most influential people in the fashion industry so any words of wisdom he can give me - I'm all ears. This is one of them books for the Coffee Table.

Breeds
My boyfriend bought me this lovely little book for Christmas and it is most certainly the perfect gift for me. It's a book all about different types of dog breeds accompanied with dainty illustrations  and funny factual anecdotes. A great book to have a flick through and have a giggle about!

It's Not How Good You Are It's How Good You Want To Be
A bit of a long-winded title but a little gem of a book in my opinion. I was first introduced to this book by my old boss who had an array of inspirational books scattered across a shelf in the office. He suggested I take it with me and have a flick through it on the flight. It's only a very short book. In fact it probably took me about 15 minutes to read the whole thing. However it's a super inspiring and it really gets you fired up to better yourself and become the best version of you. It's something anyone could read and take away something positive from it. I loved it that much that I actually purchased a copy my self on Amazon. So in moments of despair I pick up this little book and it reminds me that I'm not all that bad!

5 Minutes with Lindsey Kelk!

I've always dreamed of living the NYC/ Carrie Bradshaw-esque lifestyle. Even more so after I read the wonderful works of 'I Heart NY' by the very lovely Lindsey Kelk. 'I Heart NY' still stands as my favourite book to date, probably because it mirrors my dream lifestyle. I was very lucky to catch the best selling author for a whirlwind interview...

Hi Lindsey! First of all - How did you get into writing?

I’ve always been a writer. I used to write stories in school and at home, even from when I was in infant school – I grew up with a lot of books, it didn’t occur to me that it was weird. When I got older, it was something I did to relax and for my own enjoyment, it seems crazy to me now that the books are out there in shops and that people are reading them.

Do you feel you're living the dream?

Ha, that’s such a difficult question. I love my life and I wouldn’t change it for anything but there’s plenty of non-glam nonsense going on in the background all the time that I’m pretty sure isn’t officially part of ‘the dream’.

Where about's in New York are you based?

I live in Park Slope, Brooklyn and I love it. It’s very chill and friendly and there are lots and lots of very yummy restaurants and fun bars. Vital.

Do you think you'll live in the big apple for the rest of your life?

My friends are here, my life is here. I just can’t imagine being anywhere else right now but I guess never say never? I love London and I spend a lot of time in LA, who knows?

Out of all the books you've written, which book do you think best mirrors the antics that have happened in your life?

It’s hard to say. Obviously I live in New York, just like Angela, but I wrote that book before I moved here. As much as I wish they were based entirely on real life, the books are fictional. Sniff.

Would you say Angela Clark is somewhat a spin off of Carrie Bradshaw?

I’m a big Sex and the City fan but Angela wasn’t based on anyone. She and Carrie both live in NYC, they both like a nice pair of shoes and they’re both writers but I think that’s really where the similarities end.

When you were at school, what was your dream job? 

Definitely a writer. I flirted with the idea of being an actress for ten minutes but I’m a storyteller at heart.

Who is your favourite fashion designer?

I love lots of different designers and I’m always finding new ones to fall for. I’m definitely a big Marc Jacobs fan though, just like Angie. Shoe-wise, I am constantly crushing on YSL and with bags, I would take my arm off for anything YSL, Alexander Wang or Mulberry.

Who is your style icon?

There isn’t one person in particular, I don’t think. I often find myself in similar styles to ZooeyDeschanel and Alexa Chung but I think that’s maybe because we all have a real love of vintage shapes and styles. 90% of my clothes have stripes, polka dots and Peter Pan collars – too many of my clothes look like they belong to a four year old or a nana. It’s a curse.

If you could take 3 items of clothing on a dessert island what would they be?

Striped t-shirt, polka dot shorts, t-shirt with a cute collar dress. Done and done.

What is in your make up bag at this very minute?

I don’t have a make up bag so much as a revolving handbag full of crap that comes out of three drawers full of slap. I’m disgusting. I have so much make up. Because it’s SO hot right now, I’m just wearing the same stuff every day – Pore-Fessional Primer from Benefit, La Mer SPF colour tint, Maybelline The Eraser concealer, Estee Lauder Cello Shots cheek stain, Dior Lip Glow balm and MAC pressed powder. On the eyes, if it’s a daytime, I’m just wearing MAC Shroom with Benefit They’re Real mascara and in the evening, I love Chanel Fresh Effects cream shadow in cool gold with Nars liquid liner in Koala and Chanel Style Yeux Waterproof in Espresso all blended together. If I’m smoking it out, I’ll add the sparkly dark brown from the Nars ‘And God Created Woman’ palette. I know that all looks like pretty high end stuff but when the weather is sticky and humid, I find the better brands last that bit longer and I don’t like to wear too much bright make up in the summer. When it cools down, I’ll be back playing with my drugstore haul!

What is your favourite food?

Oh god, there’s no way I could choose one thing. Living in New York is so hard, everything is delicious. I love pizza, tapas, Chinese, BBQ… it’s impossible. Sorry.

What drink do you have on a night out?

I’m a cocktail gal, preferably gin, preferably something tart and lemony. Yum.

What would your ultimate summer playlist?

I love Desire Lines, the new Camera Obscura album. It’s gorgeous.

What inspires your books?

Everything really. Mostly I look at what’s going on in my life and how that might affect someone like me, then build a story around that.About A Girl came out of a lot of my friends losing their jobs and going through huge life changes – obviously none of them nicked their flatmate’s lives and took off to Hawaii but going to Office Angels and getting a new job wouldn’t have made a very good book…

What beauty product do you swear by?

Hydraluron is AMAZING and really helps my skin when I’m travelling, plus I love Elemis Pro-Collagen cleansing balm and Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. After that, I can’t be without Benefit They’re Real mascara or Dior Lip Glow balm and shed loads of Jergens moisturiser.

What would your ideal day consist of?

Sleep. Lots of sleep. And probably a couple of chilled out hours on the sofa vegging out to Law & Order: SVU and then lunch with a friend, a bit of shopping in the afternoon, maybe get my hair did or pop into a spa and then dinner and drinks with one of my favourite people. Bliss.

How did you go about getting your first book published?

Same way as everyone else with a twist. I actually just a made a video explaining it all on my website which you can see HERE.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers? 

The best advice anyone can give you is to just write. When I wrote I Heart New York, I was writing a blog, a diary and the book, just to get used to putting words on a page. Read as much as you can, write as much as you can and just keep going – don’t edit or second guess yourself until your first draft is done.

In a nutshell, how did you get where you are today? 

Perseverance and taking chances. Life’s too short not to try.

Lindsey is launching her new book 'I Heart Christmas' very shortly. You can pre-order it by clicking here. 

Follow Lindsey on twitter: @LindseyKelk

What is your dream lifestyle? Do you love I Heart NY?

Urban Outfitters Wish List

I don't know about anyone else but when I'm in Urban Outfitters I spend ages looking at all the home-ware items in store. Everything is so perfect! I just want it all, so I've compiled a little list of all my faves at the minute. 

1. Scented Gel Pens - These just take me back to my childhood. In Primary School, if you owned scented gel pens you were the bomb. I never thought I'd see them again, I was so happy when I came across this cute set, I'm deffo going to purchase these in the near future, I feel very much deprived of the gorgeous strawberry smelling glitter pens right now.
2. Cara Delevingne Colouring Book - Why you ask? Why on earth not you mean, anything with Cara's face on is worth having!
3. Volunteer Book - This book really caught my eye because in a couple of years I'd like to travel the world and do some volunteer work so I feel this book would become very useful. It shows you all the hints and tips, different conservation work you can take part in and a whole host of home made herbal remedies for allergies and injuries.
4. The Label Maker - Because I am a freak when it comes to organization, ooops!
5. Macaroon Mug - Well I've never actually tried a Macaroon but they look almost too delicious to eat and look ridiculously tasty in their pastel coloured state. Pretty little Macaroons on a mug, what's wrong with that?
6. Thirsty Drink Cup - This hilarious drinks cup is too funny not to own, I'm always thirsty and so the phrase fits me well. I'm also a lover of Starbucks and this cup looks almost like an upgrade to a frappucino holder and...its PINK!
7. Pharrell book  - Pharrell is pretty much the hype of the moment with blurred lines and get lucky being massive summer hits. He is also featured in this months Vogue with Cara, therefore I must know everything about the man.
8. Doormat - This mat is so welcoming and I'd like this in my own house when I'm older.
9. Map - I've always wanted a big map of the world so that I can pin places in the world that I have visited. Hopefully when I'm older there will be no place unexplored!

Which of these items do you like best and why?!

Lara x

Street Style, Ombre and Girl Problems!

So, as you all know I am a massive fan of the brand 'The Ragged Priest'. I've previously written a post about it. The Ragged Priest is an independent street style brand which I love.  Anyway, my boyfriend being the wonderful person he is,  bought me a beanie hat and a dress from there. I've wanted this beanie for ages so I was dead happy when he got me this. The dress, I also love. It is half denim, half leather. The pictures maybe deceiving but this dress is actually really tight around my ass!!! - but cause I love it so much, I'll make it fit. The only trouble with The Ragged Priest is that the sizing is a 'one size fits all' and is supposed to fit a size 6-12 and me being a 10, well I do struggle!

I just thought I'd upload that picture as it really shows off my ombre hair and brings out the colour and I thought it looked pretty cool - however I'll let you be the judge of that.

Then yesterday I took a quick detour to Asda to get a few things for tea, but as per I got distracted and ended up getting some Disney Princess Bubble Bath (Ooops) - girl problems ey. I also purchased a box of Fruit Loops as I always used to see these on American TV programmes and wanted to try them. They taste amaze, no joke. Oh and I also decided to get The Life Of Pi book because I recently went to see the film at the cinema and I loved it.
mwah. xo