Spring Summer Haul (Primark + H&M)

The Vamps - Move My Way ♪ (x)

Yesterday was one of those days... one of those days where you go to the mall and spend money you should be saving. I was just about to throw all this stuff into my closet when I thought "Eeeehh, I could do a haul!" As you may or may not know, I've never done a haul post before, and I'm always unsure whether they're thought to be "pretentious" or not, but since I'm a bit nosy (aren't we all!) and I love seeing other people's posts, I thought it'd do one myself. 

Before I get started I'd like to apologize because I know the lightning is different depending on the picture but the sun is shining right through my window right now and sadly I can't control the weather. Also, my dog's currently naping on my bed so there you have the explanation for the dog hairs, haha!

So here's the result of a day at the mall.

I've never been too bold with prints on my trousers or shorts but last year I thought I'd give floral prints a try and got a pair of denim shorts that I ended up wearing a thousand times, so when I saw this pair at Primark I just knew I couldn't leave them there. I know in the picture it looks like they've got pink/red flowers but actually they're pink and fuchsia. (I'm so, so, SO picky with pink and red - forbidden combo!)

I'm sure all the ladies with a, um, bigger bust area will agree with me on this one: it's so hard to find crop tops that cover everything without making it look like you're wearing clothes from when you were 9 years old. At 3€ each I just had to get two of these. They fit perfectly, they're not too tight and I just know I'm gonna get so much use out of them this summer.

Oooh, risky business! I haven't worn a playsuit since I was a kid, so I was afraid to even try this one on. I was a bit undecisive about buying it because it's tight at the waist (good news!) but baggier at the hips (not so good news). Anyway, I like how you can either dress it up with a nice pair of heels or use it for more casual occasions like going to the beach with sandals and your bikini underneath. And for 7€ it's worth giving playsuits a try!

See the change in lightning? And my dog's hairs?!

If this is not the coolest t-shirt you've seen then I don't even know anymore. I knew I wanted it as soon as saw that big old Mickey Mouse on the front, but once I saw the back... woooah there! I'm not sure you can see that in the picture but it's got rolled up sleeves, which is a massive plus since I find that quite flattering.

After Primark we walked past H&M... and this happened. When it comes to buying shoes it usually takes me absolute ages to decide, to the point where I always think "OK I'll think about it at home and then if I still want them I will come back." And then they're gone. I didn't want to let that happen with these as it was love at first sight, so ta-dah! I love the chunky heel (it is quite high but you don't even notice thanks to the platform) and they're so comfortable it's almost hard to believe you're walking on high heels!

Okay... this is not exactly fashion haul material. But to be fair I did buy it yesterday and it does have that summery feeling to it so it's justified. If you haven't heard about The Vamps - have you been living under a rock?! Meet The Vamps is their debut album and it's seriously amazing. If you do head to youtube or Spotify to listen to them and it turns out you like them, first of all, I'm happy you do, and second of all, you can get their album at your local music store, here or iTunes.

 So that's it for my first ever haul! Have you been shopping for Spring/Summer clothes yet? What did you get or what would you like to get? :)

Tania x 

"Palo Alto" by James Franco

Shout out to Nerea for the coolest mug

In a nutshell

From a freshman trying to impress a girl to a high school coach getting together with a student or a young boy in possession of a gun, Palo Alto follows the (mis)adventures and life experiences of an extended group of troubled teenagers as they "experiment with vices of all kinds and struggle with their families and one another". 

Thoughts (2/5*)

As somebody who loves James Franco, I was really excited when I got his book. Plus, stories about troubled teenagers? Sounds good to me. Unfortunately, it's not what I was expecting as the stories (except for maybe one or two) are all about the same thing: teens getting high/drunk, partying and overall swearing an awful lot. I don't know how life is like in Palo Alto, but I would guess some teenagers can be troubled in other ways than driving into a wall because they're wasted. After reading two of the short stories, there was nothing surprising or any shocking twist in any of them.

The main problem is that it's hard to tell these stories apart. He uses different narrators but they all sound the same to me. I'm not saying Franco is a bad writer because I really don't think he is - in fact there's a story that stood out to me, April in Three Parts, which was the one I enjoyed the most. I want to think it's because it's the only one that's got a solid plot, where his characters actually do things and things happen to them and there's a story to tell. That's what makes me believe he's got the potential to write a good, maybe great, novel; where both his characters and their stories can be properly developed.

I read Palo Alto a couple of months ago but I thought it'd be a good idea to post my thoughts on it now that the trailer for the upcoming film based on the book, starring Emma Roberts and James Franco himself, has just come out. You can watch it here.

If you're a bookworm like me, befriend me on Goodreads!

 Tania x

Lorena

 "A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life." Isadora James

The Quiet Life

 I'm a twenty year old girl. I like spending time with my family. I like talking to my parents. I like reading - I can read up to four books a week. I like wasting my time flicking through the pages of novels I've never read whilst sitting on the floor of my favourite bookshop. I like taking the public transport and going places by myself. I like going to concerts and all the excitement that comes with it. I like going to university; learning and spending time with my classmates in an environment that, at this point, feels very familiar to me. And yes, I like staying home on the weekends.

Yes, I'm a twenty year old girl and no, I don't like clubbing. Shocking, right? Most people will probably agree with you. "You don't like clubbing? What do you do, then?" "Wait, you'd rather chill at home on a Saturday night? That's boring!" "What?! But you must enjoy life while you're young!" Oh okay. Let me tell you something. Not everything's about going out - not even in your twenties, woah there! Mindblowing statement! The fact that I don't enjoy doing the things that you do enjoy (and that are, of course, perfectly fine and acceptable) does not mean I'm not living. We, the people who choose the quiet side of life, can live life to the fullest just like you. To our fullest.

Going out is something that I enjoy from time to time - with the right people, in the right mood. But it's not something that I do, or would want to do, on a regular basis. Let's put it this way: clubs make me feel anxious. Just the single thought of being there, in a closed space, with no other choice but to stay until it shuts down at dawn makes me nervous. It is something that I've forced myself to do in the past, but now I'm through. I am finally coming to terms with the fact that there are things that I can control, things that are a choice, like wanting to go clubbing or not, but there are many things that are out of my hands. And feeling like I'm a million miles away from my comfort zone, scared and overwhelmed in the worst possible way in the middle of a dancefloor definitely falls into that category.

I'm a homebody. I know that. I accept that.
I just wish other people would too.

"The Fault In Our Stars" by John Green

In the past I've tried to define what I want to do with this blog: do I want to be a beauty blogger? Lifestyle blogger? Fashion blogger? But truth be told, I dislike labels and I don't think I could ever stick to one thing. In my opinion, limits kill creativity and I don't want to feel pressured (by myself) to write about one thing and one thing only. Why do that when I can blog about whatever I like? Exactly!

That being said, you may or may not know I'm an English student, so I read an awful lot, whether it's for class or on my own. A while ago, a good friend of mine started reading John Green's infamous book The Fault In Our Stars, which you have probably heard of by now as the movie is due this year I believe. She said I had to read it "but not in public because you're going to cry your eyes out" and so I did!

In a nutshell
Hazel Grace is a 16 year old girl who has been diagnosed with lung cancer. In order for her to leave the house and cheer up a bit, her mother suggests she should attend a Cancer Suport Group at the church. There she meets charming and charismatic cancer survivor, Augustus Waters, and together they will embark in the adventure of finding out what it truly means to be in love and to feel alive. 

Thoughts

In all honesty, it has to be one of the best books I read in 2013. I found myself smiling more than once while reading it, but when I finished I also felt like I'd ran out of tears. It's obviously a sad story, but it's portrayed in a way that doesn't make you think of the characters as "ill kids", but just kids. Teenagers living their lives. It's brilliant, devastating, funny and frustrating at the same time.

What I found particularly thrilling about the way this book is written is that the author is an adult man, who could've easily failed at portraying the mind of a 16 year old girl, making her sound like a parody of a teenager. It's nothing like it - John Green makes you believe every word that comes out of Hazel Grace. When it comes to female lead characters I always find it very difficult to really like them, because one way or another I always end up thinking they are annoying and/or selfish. With Hazel, though, you've got no other choice but to end up loving her like a friend.

Worth the hype?
YES. Definitely. Don't hesitate to pick it up if you haven't yet because you won't regret it. I know I don't - it's a story that I'm certain will stay with me for a long, long time.

As you can see in the pictures above, I'm now the proud owner of that lovely box thanks to my grandma, so I may or may not be writing my thoughts on the other books soon! I already started reading Looking For Alaska (I'm only 17 pages in, though!) so we'll see. :)

See you soon,

Tania x

January/Sales Wishlist

Hello everybody! How's January treating you all so far? I probably shouldn't be blogging since I have the scariest test of my life on Wednesday, buuuut... I needed a break! (And a great friend told me, "If you're feeling overwhelmed either write on your blog or talk to me" ❤)

It's that time of the year again when we're dying to go shopping and splurge some of our Christmas money on the January sales. I am particularly excited this year and thought I'd share with you some of the items I want to get my hands on this month.

1. Borg denim jacket

I have been trying to get one of these jackets for so long but I never seem to find any when I go shopping! Hopefully that will change soon. The one in the collage above is from Topshop (76€), as seen on Harry Styles' sister Gemma and Zoe Sugg/Zoella in her vlogmas videos. 

2. Tartan scarf

Another classic that my closet is lacking. Probably not a very exciting item, but I really can't wait to have one. The one in the picture is from Boohoo ($24). 

3. Black ankle boots

Now I don't know why they look brown-ish on the picture, but I've had my eyes on a pair of black ankle boots from H&M (can't find the link, but they are about 30€) since I tried on a similar pair in New Look back in September when I went to London. I already have all kinds of outfits in my mind to match with these boots so I better find them!

4. B&N skirt

When shopping with my friend Nerea last week, she got a skirt that I absolutely love but they didn't have my size so sad times for me. Anyway while looking for a similar one to add to the collage I randomly found this one from Mango which I really like as well! I have not seen it in stores here in Spain but hopefully it will be there when I go shopping next!

5. Black collared shirt

I have never been one to wear collars, but then again, I haven't tried one on in about ten years. I'd like to change that and give them another try and I'm in love with that plummy red colour so I think if I could find a similar shirt I would be a very pleased gal. The one in the picture is from Oasis (£38).

6. Album & DVDs

I wasn't sure whether I should include these or not but I really want them, so why not! I have been obsessed with Now You See Me ever since I watched it a couple of weeks ago (Dave Franco might have had something to do with that... but really, it's GOOD) and The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of my favourite books and I do believe they did a wonderful job with the movie, so I'd like to purchase both of them. Also, Fall Out Boy's new album Save Rock and Roll needs to be mine since I'm going to see them on March! Yipeeeeee!

What about you guys? 

Anything that Santa forgot & you can't wait to have? :)

Tania x

 

Happy 2014!: NYE and Resolutions

Third post in four days and, most importantly, my first post of the year! Hopefully it's just the first of many more to come... But we'll get to that.

I hope you all had a fabulous start of the year. For me, these pictures basically sum up my night. I decided to stay home for NYE this year instead of going out so I spent the first few hours of 2014 laughing, dancing, eating and drinking with my lovely family. I even learned that, while my two year old cousin may not be able to say much just yet, she sure does know how to say "fiesta!" and there may or may not be a video of me dancing to Best Song Ever with her. This cheeky little kid.

To be quite honest with you I don't recall ever having New Year's resolutions. 2013 was not nearly as good as I wanted it to be, though, so why not try and twist things around? That being said, this year I hope to...

> Stop being so much of a worrier. 
If there's a solution to the problem, just find it and move on. And if there isn't, going crazy about it won't do much anyway!

> Stress less/stop putting extra pressure on myself. 
The last few months of 2013 were awful partly because I kept pushing myself harder and harder, so I'm determined to find a way to take things easier this year.

> Come out of my shell a little bit.

I definitely need to open up, step out of my comfort zone and stop being so shy. I'm hoping the first two resolutions above will help me accomplish this one!

> Blog more! 
"I don't have the time" needs to stop beingan excuse to avoid writing. I'm yet to find the direction I want to take with this blog, but I will find the time, simply because I love it.

>Stop putting things off.
If you want to do something, just do it! Don't put it off. Take risks. Bring your projects to life. "Time passes by, young lady. You have a long life and you can start by making it great right now." :) (OTH S3E14)

So that's about it. I honestly couldn't wait for 2013 to come to an end so I'm really happy and excited for what's to come this year. I hope it brings you all lots of love and happiness!

Happy 2014 ❤

Tania x

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