Carry On #BookReview.

Hello World,

Have you guys noticed that I haven't been using numbers anymore? It's because my computer has decided using actual numbers are for losers and they don't want to work anymore. This also prevents me from using most grammar tools as well, except for full stops and commas. Currently working towards getting a new laptop. As soon as I save a lot more money.


So in my previous Blog I wrote about my top five books I have enjoyed so far this year. Well one thing I did realise is that I haven't written a book review for one of the books. You Can read that post here.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell.
It is kind of a follow up from her other novel Fangirl. Fangirl is a small romance novel between this girl and this boy, the girl is a huge fan of a series of stories about two characters. She 'ships' them together and writes her own fanfiction about them. That is to me, what Carry On is all about. 
If I didn't do it that way, I would have been confused and extremely frustrated, like I did at the beginning of the book,
Think of the world like a Harry Potter novel. There is a school for magic people and for magical creature, like pixies, vampires etc. The main character Simon, grew up as an orphan and learns that he has magical powers and become enrolled into the school. The headmaster or the Mage as he known in the books tells Simon he is important and the only one who can defeat the bad guy. Like Harry Potter he has an incredible smart friend and one who doesn't have much care for the world. Unlike Harry Potter he has one roommate, who is a vampire and becomes his love life. Baz. 

Carry On is pretty much about saving the magical world and becoming more open to who you are in yourself. It is a lovely little tale about two young men who have known each other for a long time and then end up falling for each other. 


My view on it? I enjoyed it. It did however take me over a hundred pages to get over the fact I was reading something very similar to Hogwarts and to keep reminding myself that what I am reading was a form of fanfiction from Rowell other book Fangirl. I might actually be wrong in saying that, but it was the only thing I can think of and after thinking like that, I began to enjoy it a lot more. I loved the sweetness and casualness the story held for the two characters. It was like having movie first relationship, slightly unrealistic but treasured at the same time. It didn't end like Harry Potter and had it's own twist to the story. But I can say I did enjoy it, just like Rowell other works..

Claire.

Top Books I've Enjoyed This Year So Far.

Hello World, 

I did think about doing something like this in December and I probably will do something very similar to this in December, but right now I am currently re reading all the Harry Potter books again and since I won't be reviewing them, because we all know how awesome they are. I decided to do this kind of book related post instead.

So this year was a quest to read many books. Also not to buy any new books and well considering a few of the books I have read this year was purchased in the same year. My New Years Resolution went straight out of the window. These are the few books I have really enjoyed and I will provide the link to the reviews I have done:

1. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell; This is the most recent book I have read, so typically I have not actually done a Book Review yet. I will make one next. If you have read Rowell other story Fangirl, you'll get a first look into the characters of this book. Simon Snow and Baz, two boys that attend a school of magic and fall head over heels in love with each other. I actually found this book quite frustrating for the first hundred pages, because I didn't know what I was reading. In the end I just accepted it as the FanFiction that the girl in FanGirl wrote. 
2. Red Queen and Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard: I fell in love with these books. It's about this world where there are two types of bloods, Silver and Red. Silver blood have some slight powers in them and the reds are quite normal. That was until Mare came a long with red blood and silver blood in her stream. It's a quest for Mare to fight her to a more equal life and it has me in love. You can read my reviews here for the Red Queen and here for the Glass Sword.
3. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: I just love Harry Potter and being able to read a book based around the play that was created was just an emotional rollercoaster. Set nineteen years after the defeat of Lord Voldemort, Harry son is put into trouble with a time turner. You kind of just have to read it for yourself. 
4. Here is the review of Into the Wild: I loved this book and I will say it has changed my views on this world quite a bit. I just find it hard to describe how it affected me. All I can say is that it is based on a true story about this young man deciding to run away from home and to live in the wild. With a new name for himself and no money. It is just a truly inspiring read. 

Claire.

5 little happy things for Sick Days.

Hello World,


About a couple of weeks ago, I came down with a serious case of the cold. It had me bed bound for a couple of days. I'm not the type of person to fall ill easily, I would like to say. So, this actually knocked it out of me. Here is five things that kind of made me feel happier during my sick days:

1. BED: We all love our beds, lets face it. Being ill means we can literally stay in our bed for a whole day. Or if you was like me, I actually felt too rough to leave me bed and I really wasn't complaining. In July I brought a new mattress and my bed has become this most greatest thing I own. Add some fluffy pillows and duvet.
   
2. BATH: When you can leave your bed. Having a lovely warm bubble bath can actually clear your head and the general feeling of being clean. Especially after having a fever and having to sweat it out. I don't know what it is, but when I am ill I just feel really dirty and need to have a good soak in a bath with all my favourite bathing products. E.G; Lush Products.
3. BOOK/FILM: I read a lot. I love to read. So when I feel rubbish, reading is actually a struggle for me. Watching films or catching up on old TV/Anime programmes is the next best thing. Escaping to another realm whilst being sick. Nothing better. This time, I binged watch on Fruit Basket, which is the famous Anime based around the Chinese Zodiac signs. 
4. TEA: I am not your typical British Tea drinker. Sorry America, but your thoughts on British people and their love for tea is actually incorrect. I do not like the traditional tea. Hate the stuff. I do however love Green Tea and many Herbal teas. During my time being ill I made some Ginger tea. I basically cut up some Ginger and placed it in my tea infuser and placed it in a cup of boiled water. It tasted really good and made my sick day in bed more lovely.
5. FRUIT: I had no energy to cook.. Eating fruit made me feel so much better on the inside, than eating take away's. No surprise there. So it sounded really bad for me, but eating the odd apple, orange or bananas here and there made me feel so much better. One thing I did learn; Never order Dominos when your sick.

Claire.

Lush Haul, October'16

Hello World,


On Sunday, I went to catch up on what's been going on down in the little Lush shop. It seems the Halloween and the Christmas bath items are out and I got a little excited..

 I mean, would you look at all these little things I managed to get. I am pretty much obsessed with these things. I am pretty much obsessed with Lush in the store itself. How can anyone not be? The staff are always so nice and willing to have a chat and sale their items.. 


What you are looking at; I will try to described which one is which... 
- Ruby Red Slippers Bubble Bar; The one that looks like a shoe..
-Autumn Leaf Bath Bomb; The colour leaf looking one.
-Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb; The green one. I brought this one before and it is amazing. It turns your water like Red Wine Red. You can feel like a superior royalty bathing in this.
-The Magic of Christmas Bubble Bar; The wand looking one. 
-Butterbear Bath Bomb; The bear looking one. Which my sister said looked like a Donkey.
-Pumpkin Bath Bomb; The one that looks like a Jack O Lantern. Which by the way is my favourite looking one. 
-So White Bath Bomb; The white one that has a leaf on the top. 
- Boo Bath Melt; The ghost looking one and another favourite looking one.

I also saved my friend from Lush Bath withdrawal, which also kind of made me look like a super obsessed Lush customer. So, Friendship Level Up to me. 

Claire.

What Have I Been Doing?

Hello World,

Not a lot to the answer to my title question...

Hello,
So it seems to have been a couple of months since I last posted something and I couldn't help but to feel quite frustrated with myself on this. It not because I have had writers block or anything. No, it has been because I have become too LAZY. 

That's right, I have allowed myself to become set in a comfortable routine and I am not even happy about it. It's pretty much has turned into; going to work, come home, cook, go to bed and start again. Even the weekends has turned into; Read book, watch a film. I never really go out anymore. 

So the Time has come... To try and knock this habit. I would like to aim to write more. I've always put myself in a situation where I would moan that I wouldn't be doing something I really want to do, something that makes me happy. This isn't the place where I am going to be doing that today. 

This is more of a Welcome back.. I love to write and I really enjoy this little corner of the Internet I have created myself. So, what I am aiming to do, is to get back into the swing of doing things I love again. No more comfort zones, no more fear and a lot more hard work. I'm hoping this little bout of determination in me is going to stay for the long run. 

Claire.

On the other side: by Carrie Hope Fletcher,#bookreview

Hello World,

Another book review from another book. I've actually read three other books from my last book review to this book review. Due to being lazy and not actually writing a review for them, they will be forgotten. I will however let you know the books and a brief yes I liked them or no.

Insurgent; Veronica Roth: Yes, I liked it and it was a quick read.
One Night Markovitch; Ayelet Gundar-Goshen: The story I found far to long and completely not what I was expecting after reading the back. But the writing style is beautiful it is quite poetic and just lovely to read.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child; J.K.Rowling and two other dudes, I can't remember the name and I am really sorry about that: There was too many emotions going on in one day when I read this book and by far it was difficult. 



Carrie Fletcher, is an actress, singer and Vlogger. I found her through YouTube ages ago and still call myself a fan. When she announced she was releasing a book based around her Blogging days. Does she still write on her blog? I never shown interest; One: I didn't know she had a blog and never really looked in it. Two: I really wasn't interested as it was around the beginning of dawn of everyone releasing books.
My opinion of people on YouTube and having the opportunity on having a book published went straight to the grave after reading Zoe Suggs first book Girl Online. You can read the review here. 

However, as soon as I heard Carrie was writing a fictional book and was having it published I immediately grew excited. I've always felt Carrie and I had similar taste and style in life, which is why I grew to be a fan. When I got my copy of the book, I was excited. The covers look beautiful, exactly the type of book I would want to stand proudly on my bookcase. 
The story inside, Carrie really did not disappoint me. I was surprised by the way the story had taken and also besotted by the characters. I enjoy books where you can connect with the characters and I really did with Evie Snow and Vincent Winters. I enjoyed reading the way Carrie allowed their relationship bloom and the way she made it into a fairy tale. In this book, you had magic, you had the wicked evil mother and a slight happy ending. It reminded me of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, where the female gave up their happy endings for the sake of others. Please Note; that when I say these stories I mean the original fairy tale stories and not the sugar coated Disney versions. Although I am a Disney fan, so no hate there please.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fairy tale and romance story. 

Claire.

Artistic Journey.

Hello August, 

Today I finally opened my laptop, 
Only because I want to show you and the world that I finally was able to open my art pad and finally do something I loved and missed.
Painting is something I can call a form of meditation for me.
So, like everyone August they caught up in the reality of things and find themselves procrastinating from doing something, the love or hate, just anything. 
We forget who we are.


August, here is a few pictures I've done. Albeit a little rusty.

Claire.

Hello August.

Hello August, 

Today I had a day where I could disappear from reality altogether. 

I finally had a day and no other reads, to sit and revisit my childhood. 

Today I read the new Harry Potter book. 

And as everyone will know, my Harry Potter fandom started when I was eleven years old.

August, Harry just made my emotion go crazy, there was tears, laughter, shock and so much more. I was sad to be reading this book. I was happy to be reading this. 

August, with your blustery winds and warm sunshine, I did what I did best. I read until the very end. 

Some people will call it a waste of a day. I can't call it that August, for I just lived years within a book, a story I thought had ended. 

Claire. 

August...

Hello August, 

I've never paid much heed to you,

Mainly because everyone enjoys yours company through summer days and holidays. 

Whereas I still hide behind bars of the working life. 

Today August you embraced us with needed rain and soaking our souls with a cooler air after July baked us in stuffy conditions. 

I will make an effort August to admire the beautiful nature that is in full bloom.  Before September becomes Autumn and the colours all change. 

I tend to love the orange of Autumn that I forget the beauty you provide us August. I forget the green in the leaves and the blue skies that sometimes comes. I forget the sounds of birds or chirping bugs. 

I'll remember this time August. I'll admire you more. 

Claire. 

Slam dunk Festival 2016

Hello World,

On May 29th 2016. Up in Birmingham, Christina and I partied out at Slam dunk Festival. Anyone who knows me, knows I like to rock out to music and listen to them live occasionally.

The highlight, was seeing Yellowcard, New Found Glory and Panic!At The Disco. Another highlight, was being chatted up by some interesting young men and practically running away, when they hear how old we was.

Claire.

Goal: drawing something.

Hello world, 

This is where I kind of let myself down, I really wanted to draw, but I never found the inspiration. 

I have done something, but it was during a little writing moment. 

It had something to do with mermaids and sirens. This little creature was created to lure sailors to their deaths by their black eyes and lovely song. Once you stared into the darkness, you'll become consumed by it until you breathing your last breath. 

That's may three goals, tonight I will be thinking about the June three goals and see how it goes for me! 

Claire. 

Goal 3; Museum and Gallery!

Hello World,


I did it. Or should I say we? Christina and I went up to Birmingham this weekend and the first thing we did was go to the local Birmingham museum and gallery. It was interesting, upon entering we are guided up a grand looking staircase and into a magnificent hall where our first gallery is.

The entrance to the museum also held the starting point for LGBT pride parade, so we even got to witness that for the first time. It was such a positive and up beat environment, that we just new we was going to have a good weekend!

We even tried Bubble Tea from this little shop called Twist. The gentlemen in there was very kind and explained to us the origins of bubble tea, who founded it and what it consist of. 
I had the Matcha Green Tea and it was really yummy!

Claire.

#BookReview 24. Glass sword by Victoria Aveyard.

Hello World,

I've done it! I've finished the second instalment of the Red Queen. It took me longer to read this time because I think I was reluctant to find out what happens and will they, won't they mode. 

Glass Sword continues from the first book; Red Queen. You follow the characters on a hunt against time and witness the changes in the characters. Also looking deeper into the love story of Mare and Cal. I obviously can't give away so much because if you haven't read the Red Queen, you'll be cussing me for the spoilers. And believe me, when you start reading the Red Queen, do not search it on Tumblr, in fact stay away from searching it on the internet altogether!
I of course read the last page and was quite like "Are you serious Mare?!" 
Then I started to slowly read the book. So, if you know me through my book reviews you know I am forever raving about how attach I get to characters! Surprisingly I am not attach to the main character Mare in this book. Half of the time she drives me up the wall. No, what keeps me reading this book is actually her actions. She closes herself off to people who truly love her and she is forever making mistakes. She is a normal girl just trying to make a living and doing what she thinks is right. I sometimes think she should do some things in a different matter, open her heart up more be more compassionate. 

Which is kind of like other books! That is why I like this series, it is not like other books! The choices she makes and love she close up against Cal, it makes me infuriated but I cannot stop reading. 


Red Queen and Glass Sword is not like any other books. Although the writing is typical Young Adult fashion, it has it own difference in the story and within the characters. I am literally anticipating to the next instalment and how it is going to end! Will Mare continue down the path she has chosen or will she work towards a new path! Ahh, it is all too much. So Victoria Aveyard, please release it soon... 

I saw that the next book won't be coming out until next year. (Insert crying emoji here.) I mean how old are you, when you are too old for Young Adult fiction?


Claire

Creating Tofu Burgers!

Hello World,

One of my goals for May was to cook something completely new, something I have attempted to make before. Following a recipe of being creative. 

After a week of working in the nice sunshine, I decided I wanted to spend my Saturday in the garden in the sunshine and have a lovely day reading. Turns out the sunshine didn't want to appear until four pm. But I still made the most of it. 

My family wanted to do a BBQ style dinner that afternoon and I wanted to join in. Being a vegetarian, I didn't have anything to contribute. So in a moment of panic I raided the fridge and looked up PinInterest.

Where I found a recipe to make Tofu burgers. I did however edited to suit what I had in the fridge and cupboards at the moment. Again making something completely different. 
In this post tonight, I will share with you how I made these Tofu burgers.


Ingredients: 
390 grams of tofu, 
Two large chestnut mushrooms
One red onion
A handful of spinach
Three cloves of garlic
Basil to sprinkle
Garlic and Herb dressing, (this is optional, you can tomato paste or something a long those lines)
Coconut oil (Any oil to cook with really)


 Method:

1. Fry the mushrooms, onions and spinach in a frying pan with the oil, until cooked. Normally for about five minutes. Put to one side and leave to cool
2. Drain the tofu, by either reading the package or however you normally drain tofu. I normally drain it by placing it in a tea towel and between two chopping boards with a heavy book on top. 
3. Place 250 grams of tofu in a blender with the garlic and basil. Blend until smooth. Leave the leftover tofu for a bit.
4. In a large bowl place the smooth tofu and the vegetables, stir together until well mixed. 
5. Grate the left over tofu into the bowl and stir together. Add the Garlic and herb dressing and mix together. Place in the fridge for up to 30 minutes. 
6. Remove from fridge and split into six patties. 
7. In a frying pan, heat up the oil (you can use the same pan as the vegetables) and place a patty on to it. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, flipping occasionally. I used a medium-high heat for this part.

Place burgers in however you want to eat them and then enjoy!

These tofu burgers turned out to be really yummy and I fully enjoyed making them and experimenting. 

If you ever make something similar to these, let me know!

 Claire