Once Upon A Time

It's time for the third 2014 Blogger Challenge post! This time we have been told to write about books!

I love books and I'm an avid reader - I chose my a level courses as I knew I would get to read a lot and be exposed to new books and I haven't been disappointed yet! 

Whenever I have any free time, I'm always either blogging, reading or downloading new books on to my kindle, I can't get enough! 

After this last season of Sherlock, I decided to compare the original stories with the series and downloaded Sherlock Holmes: The Ultimate Collection for 77p on my kindle.

The first novel I read out of the 4 included was A Study in Scarlet. 

I've said before that I read quicker on my kindle but I devoured this. It was so thrilling and I couldn't put it down! Arthur Conan Doyle has such a great writing style that makes it an incredibly easy read which is also easy to picture in your head. 

The actual plot is mostly different from the Sherlock adaptation and it felt like a completely different story once Sherlock and John were introduced which meant I couldn't predict it as I was expecting to be able to! The novel is split into two sections and I got extremely confused when reading the second but once you get into it, it makes complete sense and it was genius! 

I'm honestly so glad that I decided to read the collection as it's fantastic and completely different! The original novel was written in 1887 and I love the Victorian era so reading something from that time that isn't a school set text is really interesting! I've also studied about some parts of the history that is involved in this so it's also a very interesting read about early America (the pioneers - definitely worth researching about!) and the presentation from an English person of the time! 

I really hope that some of you have read or do read it as it's a really great book! 

Jess xx

Challenge post one.
Challenge post two.

Merry Christmas!

I'm a little late but haven't had time between eating, sleeping and playing games to get on my phone and snap some pictures of my lovely gifts! I hope you all had a fantastic day, got what you wanted and spent lots of time having fun with your families!

I thought I'd share some (most) of my presents with you and you guys could share what you got too! I knew a few of my presents this year for various reasons and I was so excited to be able to actually use them!
This post is very picture heavy so I apologise for that, I'll try and add in some writing here and there!

As some of you may know, I have an unhealthy obsession with Kate Spade so I was so happy when I received this in my stocking (pillowcase...) this year! I've used it every day so far - the handle is the perfect size and the writing is perfect for me! Such a great gift!

John Green is another favourite, I'm super happy to have his books in physical form now instead of a couple of them on my kindle!

Speaking of Kindles, I got this in my stocking too - a Kindle case! I love it so much, it's so cute and is a hard case so it protects my kindle!

This jumper from Crew is probably one of my favourite presents, I've worn it so much already; it's so soft and comfy, I would happily live in it!

I chose the Naked palette when me and mum went shopping the other month so I was super excited to actually get it! I got the eyeliners from Father Christmas and I love them - they go on so smoothly and seem to stay put forever! 

I also chose the MAC Viva Glam IV lipstick (Left hand pink cased lipstick) on the same shopping trip and was given the rest in my stocking! The lipstick, lip liner and gloss came with the gorgeous bag and the mascara was separate. I'm in love with all of them and the lipstick is the one I'm wearing in the picture of my jumper - I've probably been wearing it as much!

These were from my Auntie and Uncle, I'm so happy to have some more make up brushes because I've been using the same brush for my foundation and blush which has been quite annoying!

Left to right: Ballet Slippers, Mademoiselle, Muchi Muchi

Left to right: To Buy or Not to Buy, Orange it's Obvious, Mojito Madness

I also have an obsession with Essie...

My old snow boots have been completely worn out now so mum managed to find a new pair which I'm so happy about as they're super comfy and warm! I wear them when it's cold, not just when it's snowy!

Lots of chocolate! I'm a complete sucker for rose an violet creams and Godiva chocolate pearls so this was a good lot for me! My grandma got me quite a lot of Betty's chocolate which is probably my favourite overall, it's so lovely and the animals they create are just the sweetest, sometimes it's hard to actually eat them!

Some bits and bobs from my stocking! I love these little presents, they're always adorable! I'm really glad I got a new pair of headphones as mine are probably going to break soon knowing my luck!

I LOVE these. Purple leather heeled boots?! Yes please. 

This top is from my grandma and it's so gorgeous! 

I chose this from Zara a few weeks ago and I'm completely in love - it's sheer so something needs to be worn underneath but it looks amazing on!

My grandma also got me these, they've been making me laugh rather a lot, I'm just waiting to see something I've said in a test!

My other Auntie and Uncle bought me my first ever Lush products! The snowman is vanilla scented which is gorgeous and  the one on the left is cinnamon and apparently has popping candy in it! I can't wait to try them!

The aftermath of me & my brother's present unwrapping.

I also had a Kate Spade scarf but it had holes in so we took it back, a post to come about what I bought in exchange!

I feel so incredibly lucky to have family that know me so well and that I got to spend time with them over this holiday (some of them at least)!

Leave me links to your present posts and I'll check them out, or comment with your favourite gifts this year! 

Jess xx