Norwegian Wood- Haruki Murakami

I love to read, I can go months without picking up a book but when I do it has to be a good one! I've recently read a great novel (no it's not Fifty Shades of Grey!) but Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami.

Not only one of my favourite songs but this has fast become one of my favourite books! It's so beautifully written, steeped in nostalgia with just a hint of Japanese cynicism.

I don't want to give a way too much of the plot so I'll just read the blurb on the back of my copy!

"When he hears her favourite Beatles song, Toru Wantabe recalls his first love Naoko, the girlfriend of his best friend Kizuki. Immediately he is transported back almost twenty years to his student days in Tokyo, adrift in a world of uneasy friendships, casual sex, passion, loss and desire- to a time when an impetuous young woman called Midori marches into his life and he has to choose between the future and the past."


His characters are so well written and if you are a Haruki Murakami virgin like I was I reckon you kick start with this book, its so accessible and stimulating! PLEASE pick this book up you won't regret it.

Love Katie X

p.s. I've just discovered this book was made into a film, I know what I'll be watching next! :-)

I'M SO SORRY

I don't have an excuse for neglecting my blog, I'm feeling very guilty. Get ready for more posts though, I promise. I've got some ideas floating about you're sure to see soon.

Thanks for bearing with me!

Love Katie X

What I Wore- 22/02/2012

Top- Zara

Jeans- Miss Selfridge

Necklace- Portugal

I don't think I've had an outfit post in ages, I don't really have loads of interesting outfits so I never know whether to post my boring ones. Here's a plain outfit of mine, velvet is so comfy! I think I need some better jeans, the leg seam on my Miss Selfridge jeans always twists round and it does my head in, haha! Who knows some good jean suppliers?

I'm going to try and do an outfit post more often, or even just show all my outfits of the week and post them on a Sunday or something, I'm not sure!

I have my first driving lesson on Monday! I'm excited as well as a little apprehensive but I just want to be on the road, I have my highway code and theory books at the ready too! What were your first driving lessons like?

Love Katie X

Jeremy Scott "Freckle" Tutorial

I've noticed a lot of these freckle looks on the catwalk recently and although I didn't immediately go for it at first this quirky look has really grown on me. I'm not really sure when you would go out like this but I think its a fun thing to try at least once and you don't need any fancy make up products to do it!

You Will Need

Foundation, concealer, a highlighter, black and brown kohl pencils, liquid eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow, a brow comb and brush, blusher, eyelash curler, lipstick or Vaseline.

Step One- Face

• Apply foundation all over face.
• Add concealer under you eyes and highlighter on the bridge of your nose, cupid's bow and jawbones.
• In the Jeremy Scott image her brows aren't very strong so just use your brow brush to set the shape. If you're more comfortable with darker brows there's no harm in defining them how you normally would :-)

Step Two- Eyes

•  Apply a neutral, creamy shade all over the lid (for those of you with Naked Palette 2 I used "Foxy") then, with a liner brush take a brown shade (I used "Buck" from Naked Palette 1) and apply just above the eye crease.
• Using a black kohl pencil line the top lid (this will work as an outline for when it comes to applying your liquid liner)
• With a black eye shadow make a line a few millimetres away from the bottom lid (again this will work as an outline before you use liquid liner)

•  Carefully follow your outlines with liquid liner (it can take a LONG time to get the bottom right so take deep breaths and keep trying, I'd have a make up wipe at hand!)
• For the top lid add a little wing at the end of your line.
• Curl your lashes and add a few layers of mascara on the top and bottom.

Step Three- Blusher and freckles

• The blusher on the Jeremy Scott model is very bright so build up several layers onto the apples of your cheeks.
• This is the fun bit! Using a brown kohl pencil (make sure its sharp) just dot your nose and cheeks wherever you fancy. Dust over them with a blender blush so they look a bit more realistic.

 I added a little Vaseline to my lips and voilà! You can make the freckles darker if you want it just depends on what you're using the look for.

I hope this tutorial was helpful! I always wanted to do one but don't have a video camera (and I'd be to embarrassed talking anyway haha) Sometimes I think it can be a bit easier copying pictures but I don't know what you prefer :-)

Sorry if this has been a waste of time haha 

Love Katie 

p.s If you try the look and are a bit down hearted when it comes to lining the bottom lid here's a few pictures that might make you feel better!

For Those of You Bummed About Valentine's Day

So the dreaded day for singles is fast approaching, you may think its time to bury your head in a share size tub of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream but thankfully that won't be the case for I am an expert at coping with single life, I've been doing it for the past 17 years!

Things to do tonight:


1. Set a reminder on your phone for early in the morning but name it as a cute, romantic message. This creates the illusion that you've received a loving message from someone special.
2. Write yourself a loving letter/card for you to open in the morning since no one else will send you one  (my Nana used to send me pity cards but she's stopped now, to my disappointment)
3. Wear your biggest, snuggliest hoody or t shirt to bed, or why not steal something from your dad to wear. It makes you feel like you've stolen a boyfriend's clothing.
4. Spray your pillow with men's perfume/deodorant so you wake up to fresh man smell.

Things to do tomorrow:


1. Avoid the outdoors. All the love in the air could cause a singleton to suffocate and spontaneously combust. Maybe keep the curtains closed too, couples don't want to look at single people on the most romantic day of the year. You're like Gollum to them.
2. Avoid loved up parents, mainly because you don't want to see them getting touchy feely. Ew.
3. Wear a big, warm jumper again, to create the feeling that its a boyfriend's. Try spraying it with men's perfume again.
4. Don't watch Rom Coms you'll only get depressed over the happy ending (you may think Bridget Jones is a good choice but remember, even she gets the man in the end) I would go for a good horror movie like Scream, Friday the 13th or Texas Chainsaw Massacre. There's nothing more liberating than seeing dumb, hysterical teenage girls getting murdered on Valentine's Day.
5. Have a good heart warming dinner like soup. It gives you a good feeling inside.
6. Have a dance to Generation X's "Dancing with Myself"... several times.
7. Avoid social networking sites for the day the last thing you want to see is "omg luv my boii loadzzz <3 #valentinesday"

Well, I think that's all you need to know! (I hope I've cheered you up) Have a very Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Love Katie X

Recent Buys

MAC Eyeshadow in Shale

Another for my small palette collection. I had my eye on this when I bought my first colour (Brule), it's a neutral colour with purple undertones and I just think it's a lovely colour! I was after a purplish shade but something that was very subtle so this one was perfect.

Nivea Light Moisturising & Cleansing Lotion

Yawn, just a moisturiser to use before I get ready because I have awfully dry skin. I was rather impressed by the simple formula of the Nivea face cream that I used to use so I thought I'd give another of their products a try.

Knitted Jumper (shock)- Zara

Zara never, ever lets me down. Its definitely a firm favourite of mine so I wasn't surprised when I found this little gem. It's a pale, peppermint green colour (which is hard to see in this photo) and it's the perfect start to my pastel collection, since they're all coming into fashion!

Slinky Marl Midi Dress- Topshop

I've been on a quest to find a long dress I can wear casually with a baggy jumper etc and I found one today! I don't spend money in Topshop very often because I don't want to be poor :-( but this was calling out to me (and I thought £36 seemed a pretty reasonable price) Can't wait to see what I can do with it!

Small Metal Round Sunglasses- Topshop

For some it's bags, for others it's shoes but people that know me well know that I have an addiction to sunglasses! I bought these without even trying them on because I've wanted a round pair like these for ages! But they looked alright once I tried them on at home. Who knows when I'll ever get a chance to wear them in this wonderful, British weather (not!) But I neeeeeded to get my fix of sunglasses!

Who's excited for the BAFTAS?!

Love Katie X

Mini Update

Long time, no post! Very sorry but I've had so much on my plate at the mo'. As you can see in this photo I have braces!! I had them put on yesterday after waiting for years to get them (unfortunately I only just lost my last baby tooth a few months ago so it was hard to get the ball rolling) It hurts so much though and I'm finding it hard to eat anything that hasn't been blended, or mashed into pulp! :-(

Me and my sister are taking a trip to either York or Leeds at the beginning of March which I'm excited for because I miss her a lot, starting to save now because there's no doubt that I'll be buying a lot!

I did a twenty minute jog without stopping yesterday, so proud because I haven't been running since October or something. Going for another tomorrow and really looking forward to it, you always feel happy after a run!

That's all of the updates I can think of right now... Hope everyone is good, see you in my next post :-)

Love Katie X

Wants

All Saints Leather Jacket, Topshop Tiger Print Jumper, ASOS Round Sunglasses, Point Rivets Black Flats from Romwe, MAC Vibrancy Eye Primer


I do apologise for my lack of posting! I have a rather long post planned for the middle of the month so I've been trying to get that organised. Just a few of the items I've been lusting after for a while now, does anyone use the MAC primer? I would like a new one but unsure of what there is on offer so if there's any suggestions I'd love to hear them :-)

Sorry for the briefness, I'm so not organised this week! Hope you're having a good weekend.

Love Katie X

Another Outfit Post!

Hat- Somewhere in Germany

Jumper- H & M

Jeans- Miss Selfridge

Socks- Topshop

Shoes- ASOS

This would be a pretty boring outfit if it weren't for the socks and hat, it's been a lazy day though. I have the house to myself so I'm just gonna chill all night and watch telly. Also, my provisional license came today! I can't wait to get behind the wheel (I want my dad to teach me but I dunno whether that would be a good idea or not aha!)

Hope everyone's having a good night :-)

Love Katie X

NARS Blusher: Orgasm

I have heard wonderful things about NARS blushers, particularly "Orgasm". So when I went to the Trafford Centre yesterday I visited the make up department in Selfridges and decided to test out this wonderful product for myself.

It has won numerous awards including the "In Style Best Beauty Buy 2011" and is a firm favourite of make up artists and beauty editors for the sheer fact that it is so versatile and will suit any skin colour. When the artist at NARS applied it to my face it looked so natural and appears as a peachy-pink colour, it also contains gold pigments that provides a subtle shimmer that just makes your skin glow. As soon as the product reached my cheeks I knew it would feel right at home in my make up bag! It was priced at £20.50 (which is a teensy bit more expensive than a MAC powder blush) maybe its just my crazy, little brain that has trouble processing the prices of make up but I thought it was quite fair considering it's brand, quality and reputation.

I've already spotted another shade that I like the look of called Sin but for now I'll spare my bank account and stick to the one!

Does anyone else use this blusher/other NARS products? :-)

Love Katie X

Naked2 Palette Has Arrived!

Throughout early January I having been waiting very impatiently for my pay to come through so I could finally order the new Naked2 palette by Urban Decay. Alas, it has arrived and I was straight on Debenhams on Thursday to add it to my basket.

I was immediately impressed by the much sturdier tin case they have decided to use this time even though I did enjoy the look and feel of the velvet packaging of the previous palette. I really didn't like the last Naked Palette brush, I just don't think it applied the shadow very well and left it uneven so I'd much rather use my own. I will however, try their new double ended brush with an open mind but I'm not holding any high hopes. There is definitely a wider range of colours to choose from and I already have my eye on "Teased" a warm, purplish shade that I have been looking for for a while now ("Snakebite" and "Busted" are also firm favourites.) I only received it today but initial first impressions are good (just a bit gutted about them replacing the primer with lip gloss) I can't wait to try out their new shades!

Who else has Naked2 and what are your favourite shades?

Love Katie X

Italian Outing (and woops! More buys!)

Denim Blazor- Urban Outfitters

White Crop Top- Topshop

Skirt- Miss Selfridge

Wedges- River Island

I thought a knew face was in order (I embarrass myself too much!) I went out for a meal with my old work tonight, it was a kind of belated Christmas party and secret Santa giving (I know VERY late aha). The food was great, an all round pleasant evening :-)

Everyone's going to start thinking that I have nothing better to do than go shopping (how true) it's my mam's fault for taking me out! I decided to have a snoop around the MAC counter and after I saw a great review here about their Fix+ I decided I needed to give it a try! I used it tonight and oh my GOD it is so refreshing on my face and it did exactly what it said on the tin!

I've probably made the biggest mistake of my life buying a MAC palette because it means I'll be spending yet more cash I could do without spending! That's the main reason I only went for a x4 rather than a x15, I've started my collection off with Brule a neutral, matte, cream ideal for a base colour. I've already spotted some subtle, purplish shades that I plan on adding to my small collection. Me and my mam are taking my sister back to Liverpool (her Uni) on Monday and stopping off at Manchester to shop at the Trafford Centre, God help me!

Love Katie X

What I'm Wearing

Jumper and Bottoms- Topshop

Shirt- H & M

Vans- Schuh

Eyeshadow- UD Naked Palette (Toasted, Hustle and Virgin)

It was murder to find shoes to go with this! Still unsure about the vans..

Love Katie X

What I'm Wearing, More Buys and an Unexpected Letter!

Top- Not Sure

Jeans- Miss Selfridge

Boots- River Island

Just a lazy outfit today for going shopping (again!) I think the top could be Urban Outfitters but it doesn't have a label in and my memory is terrible. I decided to have another shopping trip today and made a few purchases including my mam's birthday present (but I don't suppose anyone wants to see those) Also, if anyone knows a financial advisor I can have to stop me from spending I'd love to meet them before I'm poor!

Elvis Presley Vest- H & M

Trousers- Topshop

A Hard Day's Night DVD- HMV

Only three items, but still! I LOVE Elvis Presley and when I saw this on its hanger I just dived for it. It was at a wonderfully low H & M price (£9.99) which swayed me even more into buying it. Can't wait to try it on! 

It's actually really hard to describe the bottoms, they're a lot like jeggings but feel more like normal trousers and they're kind of grey with a hint of pink haha. They were £20 which I thought was reasonable for Topshop and I kind of have an idea of what I want to wear them with however since they are quite neutral they should go with a few things in my wardrobe.

The Beatles are my favourite band and I've seen this film a few times on the TV and decided I needed it on DVD. It's a great movie if you love the Beatles (or not!) but I wouldn't watch it if you don't like old black and white films. Has anyone seen it?

This is the exciting bit! A few weeks I was having a snoop on Matthew Lewis' (Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter) website because I just love him soooo much and Neville is my favourite character in the books. While I was looking I noticed an address you could send fan mail to, now unless you count the time I sent S Club 7 a letter inviting them to my house for tea when I was about 6 this is the first letter I'd ever wrote to anyone famous (I was feeling spontaneous). My letter was pretty short because I wasn't really expecting anyone to read it, as well as this I also sent a list of films I thought he should watch because that's the only thing I really know about and I just thought he should know about them! (God, I sound like a top stalker)

I got a reply today! Okay, so it was a little slip of paper that said "I get a lot of letters so I can't reply to them all blah blah" but on the bottom he wrote a little message about my film taste! I actually cried with happiness (I was expecting it to say "Katie, I love you will you marry me?" but I suppose you can't have everything) This is the best thing that has ever happened in my life, I didn't want S Club 7 round for tea anyway!

I got an autograph too!

Sorry for the long, rambling post! Hope everyone has had a good day :-)

Love Katie X

What I'm Wearing

Jumper- Next Menswear

Denim Shirt- Topshop

Jeans- Zara

Boots- River Island

A menswear jumper is a great way to fill the void of singlehood! Only kidding of course but they are so big and snug. I wear mine 24/7 and it's the best item in my wardrobe, I urge every girl to buy one. I've worn my boots for the first time today too and I love them already, they're surprisingly comfortable and fit me perfectly I'll be no doubt wearing these a lot from now on!

Love Katie X