Birthday Books 2015| It's Carenza B

Hello!

On August 30th, I turned 15. I had a lovely day, and was spoiled rotten. Like I said, I had a lovely birthday weekend in London with my family and friends, I did some amazing things. I will not be going into detail about what I did or what I got as this post is ALL about the books I got for my birthday. I asked family members to give me money prior to going to London so I could by books from a book shop called Foyles, a 6 story heaven for book lovers like myself and I picked up some books- some I say, I mean a lot!

The first book I picked up was from the mini Foyles on the South Bank as we had been there for an exhibition earlier in the day.
My Neighbor Totoro is a movie from the Japanese company Studio Ghibli, this book (which my mum found) is a book which tells the story like the movie but with some of the original art work in it. Admittedly,this book is aimed at people younger than myself but how could I resit! I love the movie so much!

My Neighbor Totoro, adapted from the movie

Next we went on to the large main store where I got the rest of my books from, the first books I picked up here where a book series that I had seen lots of BookTubers recommending.
This book series (as far as I know) is about an 18 year old assassin called Celaena Sardothien and how she is chosen to train to compete to become the royal assassin. I think this sounds really good and I haven't heard of anything like it so I am really looking forward to reading it. I would also like to point out there is a 4th book in this series but the shop I went to didn't have it.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Mass

Heir of Fire by Sarah J Mass

These next books are also a series but they are a follow on series to the popular Beautiful Creatures series called Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Unlike in the Beautiful Creature series, these stories are told by Ridley. I love her in the Beautiful Creatures because she is just so bad-ass and gives the story a different edge from Lena and Ethan's goodness.  

  

Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Dangerous Deception by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Next, after seeing the Scorch Trials trailer what feels like a million times, I decided to get the first book in the series. As far as I know, the book is about a group of children who end up somewhere with no idea who they are. Despite my lack of knowledge about the book I am really looking forward to reading it.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

After The Maze Runner, I got The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen, the book is about 19 year old Kelsea Glynn who was raised in the rough part of her world and on her 19th birthday soldiers arrive at her house to take her to her birth place- the palace. I am looking forward to reading in this and am gutted I didn't get it earlier in the summer, I had a chance to get both of the novels pre-signed and I so wish I had! Argh!  

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Then I picked up two classics, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

I picked up Wuthering Heights as I want to start reading more classics and because last year, I started and almost finished reading Jane Eyre and I enjoyed it a lot. I don't know much about the plot and picked this copy because it looked pretty, sometimes you just have to go for how pretty the cover is. 

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte 

Next I got The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I love this book, I already have a copy but this one was so pretty I couldn't say no! I first heard about The Picture of Dorian Gray after I listened to it on the train to London. It was a Big Finish publication (they do lots of Doctor Who stuff) and I fell in love, the man who voiced Dorian Gray was an actor called Alexander Vlahos. I haven't read the book but I can't wait to get stuck in.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Finally from Foyles I picked up How To Be Parisian by Anne Berest, Caroline De Maigret, Audery Diwan and Sophie Mas. This book has had lots of hype on social media and I would say is your best friend if you love Instagram, We Heart It, Tumblr and Pintrest. I've started it and I find it really interesting, I highly recommend it.  

How To Be Parisian by Anne Berest, Caroline De Maigret, Audery Diwan and Sophie Mas

The next two books are books my parents got me and the first one is The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness. I had no idea my parents were getting me these books and when I received it, it had only just been published. This book sounds really interesting, it's about a boy called Mikey and he is just your average guy who wants to do average things, but there are some twists.  

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

Finally, my parents got me The Ultimate Guide to Mad Men by Will Dean. Mad Men was a TV series that finished a few years ago and because my parents used to watch it and didn't finish watching it, they thought that I could start watching it so they could refresh their memories. This book is an episode guide and is really handy for reading up on episodes.

So these are all the books I got for my birthday, I realise that there's a lot and I would like to say that I am not bragging, I just wanted to share with you guys what books I got and so that maybe I can do more book related posts in the future. I want my blog to be more about the things I like rather than just be a "beauty only blog" or a "book only blog". I hope you can all understand. Don't forget, if you have any business inquires feel free to email me at itscarenzab@gmail.com - please take note this is not my personal email. Also, feel free to follow me on my social media- Instagram and Twitter @itscarenzab 

Carenza x 

Summer Holiday Wrap Up 2015| It's Carenza B

Hello!
So now that my summer holidays are officially over and I am now back in school, I thought I would share with you the books I read over my 7 week break ( I live in England and our education system is a bit weird!) In total I read 8 books in my time off including some books I read in my summer recommendation post, side tracking slightly if you want I can do an autumn recommendation for you! WARNING!! This post WILL contain SPOILERS for certain books, do not read if you do not want these books spoiling! Each books I read will have the heading in large so you can skip it if you want/ are reading that book.
So lets bring on the books!

Firstly I would like to say that I am going to be using a rating system for each of the books I talk about, I am going to rate them out of 5- 1 being I hated it, 5 being I loved it.

Beautiful Chaos

The first book I read was the third installment in the Beautiful Creature series and is called Beautiful Chaos, the story still follows Ethan and Lena and how their relationship has progressed and how their relationship is threatened by the supernatural, I loved the way this book was written and how you could connect with all the characters even the ones you didn't like. The world that the authors created so real, you literally felt like you were being taken along with them on their crazy adventures and that you knew every side of most characters. It also had some real plot twists and the ending was a cliff hanger if ever I saw one, filled with suspense!
I rate this book a solid 5/5!

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Redemption 

This was the final installment in the Beautiful Creatures and I have to say was my favourite book in the series. It followed the events from the previous book and Ethan's journey to get back from the dead to get back to Lena. I loved how the book was split into 3 sections, two being told from Ethan's point of view and one being told from Lena's. I would have to say I have mixed feeling about the ending as I loved it but I felt like it was a bit disappointing. Basically, Amma (A friend of the family) sacrificed herself to get Ethan back which was really sad as she was the sassy grandma figure everyone wants and all the couples end up together. It was a very good book but I wished Amma hadn't sacrificed herself.

I give this book a 4.5/5!

Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

All The Bright Places

Next I read All The Bright Places by Jenifer Niven. The premise for this book was "she learns to live from a boy who wants to die". The stories protagonists were a boy and a girl called Finch and Violet who met on the schools bell tower while both attempt to commit suicide for various reasons, Violet who cannot see a way out after her sisters death nearly a year ago, Finch because he finds his life too difficult. Many people on Amazon said that the characters where too annoying and the ending was predictable. I have to agree that the ending was predictable (Finch goes missing and ends up dead) but I found both the characters sensible and Violet's reaction was expected and reasonable.

Overall I rate this book, 4/5   

All The Bright Places by Jenifer Niven

Red Queen

Next we have the Red Queen, which I had wanted to read since watching several BookTuber's videos where this book has been mentioned. I absolutely love it! I would have to say that it has been my favourite book that I read in my 7 weeks off. The book is set in a fictional land where the citizens are divided by blood- you are either a high class Silver or a low class Red. The main character, Mare Barrow a 17 year old Red, is discovered to have some unusual powers ( Silver's are the ones with powers) and some how she ends up betrothed to one of the Princes (you'll have to read to find out how this happens). It has so many plot twits and is written really well, I highly recommend you read this and I can't wait for the second book.

I rate this 5/5!

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard 

Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone

After the Red Queen, I read the first Harry Potter book- I would like to say I have read the series before when I was little but wanted to read it again when I might fully understand it and appreciate it. I have watched the movies before and I wanted to read the books behind them. The first book lays down the foundation for the rest of the series. It was really interesting to see how different the movies where to the films. I have to say that the first book is one of my favourite in the series (after the Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix). I really enjoyed the adventures that Harry, Ron and Hermione went on and how their friendship began.

I rate this book 4.7/5!   

Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by JK Rowling  

Moriarty

After Harry Potter, I finished reading Moriarty- which I had started to read earlier in the month but put to one side when I started to read Harry Potter. I have to say this was my least favourite book that I read this summer. I enjoyed it right up until the end where it ended up going of in a completely different direction to what I had thought it would go. I loved the characters in it, and although the author wrote that they were in their 40's I couldn't help but seeing them as young men. Although, I didn't like the ending- the rest of the book was amazing and I do recommend you read, it may just be me who doesn't like it.

I rate this book a 3.5/5! 

Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

The second to last book I read in my summer was the second book in the Harry Potter series, which if you were wanting a cool fact about me is my least favourite in the series-although you do meet one of my favourite characters (Dobby!) but anyway, I like the story and how the characters develop but I just can't get into it like the other books, in my personal opinion it drags whereas the others have so many ups and downs I feel like the books are glued to my hands! 

I rate this book a 4.3/5!!

I did read the third installment in the Harry Potter series (I am going through a Harry Potter phase!), but when I took these I hadn't finished reading it so it was not on the list. This (Prisoner of Azkaban) is my second favourite in the series (after Order of the Phoenix). I love this book so much as you learn more about the older characters in Harry Potter and you get to see Harry have a father-son interaction with Sirius. I cannot rate this but because I am rating the books I will give it a 5/5!

So that's it for the post on my summer reads, I have a few posts planned so keep your eyes peeled for something slightly different. If you have any autumn/fall/Halloween post requests PLEASE email them to me on my BUSINESS email itscarenzab@gmail.com 

I am so thankful for all of you reading my blog, but I would like to say you can click the follow button to be notified when I put a post up and don't forget to follow my social media Instagram and Twitter @itscarenzab

Love always,

Carenza x    

   

Summer Recommendations 2015| Its Carenza B

Hello!
So, firstly I think I owe you an apology for the absence in blog posts in almost a month! I have been super busy with school related commitments! I understand that this isn't acceptable, but I'm afraid this will happen every now and then as I am still in full time education!

So, now onto the post! As summer rapidly approaches, I thought I'd give you my summer recommendations for 2015. I know that I am probably the last person to do this but I thought you guys might enjoy my recommendations. I am also going to be sliding in at some point my summer holidays TBR (To Be Read) books! So lets get started!

Books

So,firstly on my recommendations for books is the Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

From left to right: Beautiful Creatures,Beautiful Darkness, Beautiful Chaos, Beautiful  Redemption

This book series is utterly beautiful! (no pun intended), so without giving away too much, I will attempt to summarize the series. The story revolves around the character of Ethan Wate, a teenager living in the county of Gatlin in South Carolina, where not a lot happens until the arrival of the towns reclusive niece arrives, Lena Duchannes. The main plot is the love story between Ethan and Lena but their love isn't ordinary. Lena is a Caster (witch) and Ethan is a Mortal (non magical person). Basically, the story is about their fight to be together while battling supernatural forces. I love this series and am currently reading the third book and can't put it down!

Next, are Love Rosie by Cecelia Ahern, this book is also known by the name Where the Rainbow Ends and A Work in Progress by Connor Franta. 

From left to right: Love, Rosie then A Work in Progress

Love,  Rosie is another love story but is different from the Caster Chronicles. Love, Rosie is the story of Rosie and Alex who are best friends from a young age and slowly fall  in love. Then after a night out, something changes the course of the friendship and sends them off in two different directions. The novel spans of 50 years from them being 5 year olds to 60 year olds and is all about their lives and their ups and downs. It is told through the use of different forms of media (emails, letters, texts, sms, postcards etc). I just found this book so funny and a magical story. I connected with both characters and could relate to the situations they were in. Also, because of they way it is written it makes it so funny and I have never read anything like it. 

A Work in Progress is the memoir by Connor Franta, a popular YouTuber. This book is just lovely and takes you through Connor's life through written word and beautiful photos. I love how there are no specific chapters and everything is just so creative. Its just so pretty to look at on my bookshelves.

Summer TBR

So now for the Summer TBR, apart from the last two books from the Caster Chronicles, these are the books I am going to be reading....

From left to right- Poldark: Ross Poldark, Moriarty, His Dark Materials

Poldark: Ross Poldark by Winston Graham- I actually don't  know what this book is about but after watching the tv series, I'm hoping that this book will live up and am looking forward to reading this.

Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz- I got this book for Christmas and do know a little bit about this. It's the second in the series (which I haven't read) and takes place after Moriarty and Holmes have fallen from the Reichenbach Falls. The main character is Pinkerton agent Frederick Chase from New York and is about the uprise in crime to fill the place of Jim Moriarty.     

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman- Again, I don't know what this book is about but I am looking forward to reading it. The version I have is the hard back where all three books are rolled into one.

Beauty

So, now for my summer beauty recommendations. Firstly, makeup. 

From left to right- Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette, Bourjois Effect 3D Lipgloss, No7 High Shine Lip Crayon

Urban Decay Naked 3 - This palette is the best, although on the pricey side it is totally worth. This palette contains rose gold shades and is perfect for summer. I love wearing bronze shades in the summer as they make my blue eyes look super blue!

Bourjois Effect 3D Lipgloss in 37- This lipgloss is a nude-coral colour and is very appropriate for summer. I love wearing this to give me a little bit of colour. Just a quick note, they have changed the names since I bought it so I don't know the equivalent shade. 

No7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Daydreamer- This is a lip crayon in a pale nude colour. I think that this looks sophisticated while effortlessly chic.

Next, is my summer scent, Ghost Eclipse 

Now you may have noticed, my bottle is very full. This is because I have never used it as I am saving it for if I go on holiday to Venice and want to use this when I go, then when I come home I can spray this and be reminded of my holiday. It's a very fruity and floral scent, I got mine as part of a gift set available only for Christmas.

Now, for nails and nail care.

For shades I have picked a light blue and a white. The light blue is from Bourjois and is the Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Polish in 26 blue no blues. This shade is perfect for summer and is very bright and summery, and with the Essie tuck it in my tux,  the shade I have linked is not the one I have as mine is a Christmas special. I think these shades go really well together and add something to your summer look. To remove your nail polish, I like to use Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover. It saves time and afterwards your nails smell really nice.

For my body, I like to use Vaseline Spray and Go Body Moisturiser in Aloe Vera and Body Shop Virgin Mojito Body Sorbet

I like using the Spray and Go in the mornings before school as it means that my skin gets moisturised quickly without getting in the shower. Then for something  more intense and that I can sleep on I like using the Body Sorbet. The smell is amazing and lasts for ages! It's like lime and mint, its fresh like summer.

Every now and then, I like to give my skin a treat and for this I like to use either the Body Shop Vitamin E Sink In Moisture Mask or the Balance Me Radiance Face Mask.

 Both of these masks offer different things. The Body Shop one moisture's your skin and makes it feel super nice and clean, whereas the Balance Me one makes the face radiate.

A summer essential is hair chalk or hair dye, I love messing around with my hair colour in the summer and spicing things up.

  

 This is the Bleach London Hair Crayon in Washed Up Mermaid. Its a minty green colour and is semi-permanent. It washes out after a couple of washes which means you can chop and change.

Bits n Bobs

Finally, for the Bits n Bobs category- the category for the things you don't know what to call,

Obviously, in summer you need sunglasses and to be honest this is fairly self explanatory. I don't know where mine came from as I found them and kept them.

I think summer is the perfect time to start recording your thoughts. I have done this for around a month and have noticed a great change in my general mood. It means when you come across the notebook when you're older, you can look back and feel nostalgic. 

Play suits are ideal for summer as it means  you can look amazing while being able to run around. The one in the photo is from Topshop and has this lovely tribal pattern.

Detailing on the play suit

 I have these two denim play suits as I think they look really chic. The top one is from New Look and the bottom one is from Miss Selfridge, which I got in the sale for £7!!

Finally, I have a kimono from Primark. This is ideal for summer as it gives you coverage but you can stay cool.

So there you go, my Summer Recommendations for 2015! Please comment your recommendations and let others know!
Carenza x