Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

As I have mentioned in a previous post, I absolutely love reading in summer. Grabbing a book and sitting outside in the sun is my idea of perfect relaxation. I took a few books away with me on holiday a couple weeks ago, but Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher was one of my favourites. I can't remember exactly where the recommendation for this book came from although I think it may have been another blogger or youtuber, possible Carrie Fletcher. Despite not having heard of Jay Asher before, after reading why the book was about, I knew I wanted to read it.

The Sypnosis is below:

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker - his classmate and crush - who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and learns the truth about himself-a truth he never wanted to face.

(AMAZON)

Pretty gripping right? Once I had knew the basis of the story I bought the book straight away, waiting till holiday to finally delve in. The book is just short of 300 pages so it took me just over a day to read. I wouldn't say I was obsessed with this book like I have been with others in the past, but I did enjoy reading it, cosidering it was something a little more unusual for me. The language wasn't challenging and the way it was written really allowed me to empathise with both Clay and Hannah.

If you are looking for a book that is going to make you think, I would recommend this for sure. It encourages you to look at the bigger picture reaslising how your actions no matter how small affect the bigger picture, and most impotantly other people. It has most defintely changed my outlook and thoughts.

What book would you recommend for me to read next?

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Garnier Summer Body Review

As soon as the short skirts and strappy tops come out, I often feel embarrassed of my ghost white skin. Despite going abroad for a week this year, and having the opportunity to lie out in the sun, it's always nice to go away with and slight bit of colour. Not forgetting that the sun is extremely harmful also.

Rather that opting for a fake tanner, I decided to buy a moisturiser with a gradual tanner, and Garnier was my pick of the lot. I had previously tried Dove and while I liked it, I opted for something a little different, and I'm so glad I did. The main thing that I like about it is the shade; it's the perfect balance between orange and brown. I did catch a little sun while I was away and this moisturiser compliments it perfectly. 

It's really moisturising too. The bottle actually states that it has '12 hours of moisturisation' and I completely agree. With weather like this, skin can suffer with dryness but since I started using this, it has kept my skin really soft. Plus, it smells great too, and the scent really last on the skin with out feeling sticky and uncomfortable especially in the heat.

Overall, as you can probably tell I really love this product. For anyone who isn't so keen on fake tanners, this is perfect. It moisturises as the main focus and the tanner just works alongside in order to create the perfect sun kissed look. with the affordable price tag.
 I will most definitely be buying this again.

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Lazy Sundays

Nothing can beat a lazy Sunday. Tucked up under the quilt and watching old movies is the perfect way to wave off the weekend. Since moving my bed in front of my window, I have loved waking up and letting the light stream in. I swear, one day when I move out (and can afford it), my apartment will have to have a balcony, or a least a skylight. I just love looking up at the stars and thinking of everything and everyone out there. 

When I'm not spending my Sundays staring into space, (literally), I love catching up with a book or movie. I'm still reading Wuthering Heights, after becoming slightly obsessed with another book that I will be reviewing shortly. I spent yesterday reading and watching my current favourite TV series, Pretty Little Liars (wow, it's so good!) I'm starting to watch old films too. James Dean is fast becoming one of my favourite actors, and I'm on the lookout for any old film recommendations.

There is something so great about Sundays. It's a if everyone stops what they are doing and you can't be considered lazy for spending the day grazing in front of the TV. I don't get many lazy Sundays, but when I do, I am sure to make the most of them.

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Menorca

Last week, me and my family headed to Menorca to spend a week in the sun. It was so nice to get away and to be able to spend some much needed time together. The weather was beautiful all week, meaning lots of days were spent around the pool and exploring the local area. We stayed in the resort of Cala'n Blanes, a beautiful little place full of 'touristy' shops and enough lilos to (literally) fill up a swimming pool.

This was the first time I had been abroad with just my Mum and Brother, so it felt like quite the adventure. We booked a villa with its own private pool. It was such a novelty and something we had never done before. I completely fell in love with the idea of having a pool in the back garden and have been pleading with my mum everyday to let us have a pool at home (it's not working!) The post holiday blues have definitely kicked in, and I'm already wishing I could go back.

The only thing that I felt slightly ashamed of, ok, very, was my lack of language skills. I studied Spanish at school for 5 years and I could barely remember anything other than Hola. I hate the mentality "everyone speaks English anyway", because they don't. I would have loved to have spoken to the locals or ordered us a taxi when we were stranded at the supermarket, but I couldn't! For someone who wants to travel quite a lot, I think that it is important to be able to speak parts of certain languages. Bearing this is mind, I am hopefully going to enrol on a languages course or ask one of my friends who is studying Spanish and German at Uni to tutor me. I'm not expecting to get fluent over night but being able to speak even a small part of a language, is a skill that I feel everyone should have.

This post is dedicated to everyone coming down from the holiday high

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Changes

Welcome! I can't actually contain my excitement right now, my blog has gone on a huge transformation. Not only has the template and background changed, but my whole approach and style of blogging is about to transform. I have been thinking about changing my template for quite a while and now felt the right time to add some beauty to my page that previously looked unkept and basic. I've popped a few screenshots below in case you're new, so you can see what it looked like before. I am so happy with the new look and feel like it's a lot more 'me'! I would love some feedback on the new design, so please don't hesitate to leave me a comment about what you think!

You may also notice, that the URL above has changed! fayeolivia.co.uk is well and truly alive. After owning the domain for over a year, I thought that it was about time that I put it to good use and got rid of my old name, which clung to me like a bad smell! I'm so excited to finally have the name and look that I have wanted for such a long time. I feel like it is a fresh start and a new beginning.

Along with these changes, I will be posting more regularly on all manor of things, from hair serums to my favourite cereal, it's all going to be here.

Please come and join in, I honestly can't express how excited I am. I am buzzing with ideas and can't wait to start some really exciting series and blogposts that I hope everyone can enjoy and get involved in. It's the start of a new chapter for me, one that I can't really explain till I start posting my new content. While I will still be posting about the same topics, I am wanting to get my ideas across more creatively and involve you guys more. I've changed so much in the past 3 years and I feel like it's about time that my blog changed with me. I hope you'll stick with me and get at least 1% as excited as I am for this new adventure!

Faye 

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Birkenstocks

Birkenstocks are nothing new. Let's be honest, our parents have been wearing them long before us. So why the sudden change of heart when it comes to this traditional footwear? Can we pass them off as vintage inspired rather than just 'old'?

While stood in the middle of Next I had to make a huge admission to myself. Not only did I really like the Birkenstocks that I had being trying on for the past ten minutes, but I was also about to head the to the till to part with £20 for them... How things change! 

Since owning up to the honest truth, I have been wearing them non-stop and I honestly can't get enough. Perfect for summer and most likely the comfiest shoes I will ever own, Birkenstocks have gone from my worst enemy to my best friend. The kind of friend that compliments any outfit, makes you feel comfortable no matter what and will eventually persuade you round to their way of thinking... It's only a matter of time before they get you too!

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Hand luggage Essentials

Today I go on holiday. In fact I will probably be there right now (and thank God for blog scheduling). Although I been spending the last few weeks planning what will be going into my case, I think it is incredibly important to plan what I'm going to be talking on the plane with me. Luckily it's only a few hours to Menorca so I won't need a huge bag of 'activities' to keep me occupied on the flight, hoping that my excitement will suffice. Should that fail, I packed a few, ok, quite a lot, of entertainment and beauty essentials for the flight. Ohh it's just making me excited thinking about it.

Garner Moisturiser with SPF 25- Perfect for on the flight. The air ventilation is not exactly skins best friend. Obviously I will have to take a smaller bottle for my hand luggage though.

Elle magazine- An essential in my opinion. There is nothing better than a magazine to keep you occupied. This is one of my favourites at the moment, and full of things to keep me busy the whole flight.

A book- I'm about to start 13 reasons why by Jay Asher. To me, books are definitely a holiday essential  so I wanted to delve in straight away ready for the lazy days around the pool. (I'll let you know how I get on with it)

iPod - I think this is a pretty obvious one, but there is nothing better than a summer playlist blasting in your ears why you get excited for the holiday ahead. I'm making my playlist tonight and I know it's going to make me even more excited for my impending holiday!

Sunglasses- Of course I am expecting glorious weather as soon as we arrive. Being organised, I have decided to pack my sunglasses in my hand luggage so that I can whip them out before I'm even off the plane!

Camera- I am going to to be filming a few bits while I am away (look out for those soon) but I also just wanted a small camera to hand as well as my DSLR to just take on the go. This one is going to be perfect for the flight so I can document every single part ( yes, I am one of those people who photographs everything).

Journal- I use this to store all my blogging and youtube bits and bobs. I love having time to just sit and think so I will no doubt being using valuable time on the flight to thing of exciting post and video ideas, along with the few that I already can't wait to share with you.

iPod touch- I don't use this that often anymore, but with both iplayer and 4od offering a download service I can happily catch up on TV shows on the flight!

Let me know if you're going away soon

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