Title Tuesday: The Woman Who Died A Lot

"The seventh book in the Thursday Next series by Number One bestselling author Jasper Fforde. 

The BookWorld's leading enforcement officer Thursday Next is four months into an enforced semi-retirement following an assassination attempt. She returns home to Swindon for what you'd expect to be a time of recuperation. If only life were that simple. Thursday is faced with an array of family problems - son Friday's lack of focus since his career in the Chronoguard was relegated to a might-have-been, daughter Tuesday's difficulty perfecting the Anti-Smote shield needed to thwart an angry Deity's promise to wipe Swindon off the face of the earth, and Jenny, who doesn't exist. And that's not all. With Goliath attempting to replace Thursday at every opportunity with synthetic Thursdays, the prediction that Friday's Destiny-Aware colleagues will die in mysterious circumstances, and a looming meteorite that could destroy all human life on earth, Thursday's retirement is going to be anything but easy . . ."

Whilst fantasy fiction might not be for everyone, and at times have questionably childish aspects to their plots, Jasper Fforde is an original. His work might well appeal to lovers of Monty Python and Douglas Adams alike, but his Thursday Next series might likely entrance Austenians and readers of other genres. Fforde's genius weaving of adventurous plots, witty humour, intelligent puns and animated characters makes BookWorld literary detective Thursday Next and friends part of a fantasy fiction classic. I might go as far as to say, in other words, it is 'unputdownable'!

You may find yourself catching up on the first six books, and even anticipating the forthcoming series finale in 'Dark Reading Matter'.

Carpe Diem xx

Makeup Monday: What's In My Travel Makeup Bag(s) - Mini Break Edition

When I go away for a three-day 'mini-break' I take my Soap and Glory makeup bag and Soap and Glory wash bag. Here's a sneak peak inside for my first ever Makeup Monday post!

Makeup Bag:

MaxFactor False Lash Effect Mascara

Maybelline Rocket Volum' Express Mascara

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer (Ivory)

No.7 High Shine Lipgloss (Smile)

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick (Vintage Pink)

L'Oreal Natural Blonde Lipstick (Nude)

Scunchi No-snag Hairclips and Hairbands

Dior Miss Dior (small perfume sample)

Boots Essentials Strawberry Lip Balm

Washbag:

Nivea Rich Moisturising Day Cream

Carex Aloe Vera Hand Sanitiser

Johnson's Facial Cleansing Wipes

Sensodyne Pronamel Travel Toothpaste

Tom's Calendula Rollon Deodorant

Boots Youth Maintain Time Delay Eye Cream

Boots Youth Maintain Time Delay Depuffing Roll-on

TangleTeezer Compact Yellow and Black

The contents of my bags of course changes depending on how many days I'm staying away and what I'm doing when I'm there, and I usually chuck extras in at the end! 

What do you pack?

Enjoy the sun and wear Sunscreen!

Carpe Diem xx

Foodie Friday: The (Un)bearable Goodness of Green Tea (or Reasons Why You're Drinking the Wrong Tea)

Two weeks ago I was a green tea virgin. It was 'that thing what they give you before your Chinese'. I couldn't have been more incorrect. Since popping my green tea cherry with a trip to Sainsbury's and tasting my first proper full mug of green tea, I have discovered its amaranthine qualities and become addicted. (And so should you).

If you consider these possible side effects of drinking green tea as healthy, and want to incorporate it into your diet, then you'll see why it's my 'food' of this Foodie Friday!

1) Prevent tooth decay

2) Boost metabolism to increase weight loss (boosting the metabolic rate 4% without increasing the heart rate)

3) Containing powerful anti-oxidants it inhibits the growth of cancer cells

4) It's a legitimate use of study breaks

Happy sipping! (But maybe give the Chinese meal a miss before EVERY cup!)

Carpe Diem xx

Fashion Thursday: The Great Gatsby 1925

Limited Edition Embellished Racer Dress, Topshop £225

Suede Fliplock Purse (Taupe), Topshop £18

Straw Cloche Hat, Topshop £20

In honour of the release of The Great Gatsby (2013), starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Toby Maguire and Carey Mulligan, why not try out the flapper trend? Art deco baby! So S/S 2008...

Carpe diem xx

Watch: Wednesday TV - Me and Mrs Jones

Me and Mrs Jones is a prime-time BBC1 six-episode comedy series, which aired in October 2012. Last year I was captivated by its cleverly weaved script, written by Oriane Messina and Fay Rusling, and was surprised when it wasn't commissioned for a second series.

The talented and gushingly good looking Robert Sheehan (Misfits, The Borrowers) is the potential toyboy-cum-love interest to Sarah Alexander's divorced mother of two small girls. The plot revolves around the chaotic families and love lives of her and her ex-husband. 

Whilst superficial in parts, the tale adds a somewhat nuanced reflection on modern living, post-modern families and identity. The final episode ends ambiguously but will leave you wanting more. Isn't that the saying 'leave them wanting more'? In this case, I think it works.

Carpe diem xx

Back To Bloggin': Title Tuesday - Compacts and Cosmetics

I told you I'd be back, so I'm kicking off the upgrading of my blog with 'Title Tuesday', where I will share my favourite pick from my bookshelf that week. As a beauty blogger and amateur historian I have always had a fascination with fashion, cosmetics and body adornment of other eras and cultures.

I first became aware of 'Compacts and Cosmetics: Beauty from Victorian Times to the Present Day' after watching world-famous celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge's interview with it's author (the interview was recorded in two parts and is available on YouTube), beauty historian and collector Madeleine Marsh. Needless I eyed up the book and it was on my Amazon wishlist for quite a while before I finally took the plunge!

It arrived in speedy Amazon fashion the other day and it definately doesn't disappoint! Charting the progress of not only the cosmetics industry but also the history of women's lives in the 19th and 20th centuries, the book outlines key movements in social history and cosmetics manufacturing. Linking the influence of makeup with women's liberation and vice versa this is a must buy for any beauty addict. 

Like me I'm sure you'll end up flicking through its chapters and gazing adoringly at it's pictures for years to come if you buy this book!

Carpe diem xx