BE INSPIRED

There's nothing more inspirational to spur creativity than powdery yellow sunshine streaming through the windows. Sunlight has a positive effect on me. Masks all that is unattractive and illuminates the surroundings into something beautiful. Armed with my notebook, I feel like I have plenty of space to think today and to write. Windows open, the silence is calming with just the hint of a quiet hum swirling through the air. The March breeze still nips at your fingers, and the bare tree branches dance in the wind. The sunlight flickers the shadows of these onto my crisp white walls.

Sometimes, we forget the power of silence. Not sad silence. The silence that leaves you feeling calm and content. Content that you could just shut the door on the world for a few hours. The mad hustle and bustle of life makes you really appreciate these pure moments. Allows you to take a wider perspective of everything. The soft blue sky contrasting against the brick houses, lime-green grass wisps around the air as the water sparkles - blinded by the sun. 

The point of this is that the smallest things can make you happy. Content. Sometimes life seems to whip by so fast, you feel under pressure to keep up with the pace. Be the best. Get a head start. And while I want all of those things, sometimes taking a few moments to establish peace and quiet to clear your head is all you need. Creates room for inspiration, meaning and happiness. Which - in effect - can help you get to right where you want to be. 

So from now on I'm making it my ambition to read books, write, get outside, see the world and make sure one thing inspires me each and everyday. 

Books Vs Kindles

Rush hour on the London Underground at night and there is a young looking businessman sat engaged in his  new novel that he's just downloaded to his Kindle. So is the woman at the side of you, and the woman at the other the side of you. You don't know what they are reading but that single piece of technology is enough to keep owners fully enthralled in the tales of their story. What's my point in telling you this? Well I am sat here reading a paperback book, full of crisp pages that I can flick through so wonderfully with my fingers and colourful illustrations that make me want to pull that book out of my - equally as wonderful - Ted Baker bag.

I love books - and by that I mean real paper/hardback books. They align my empty shelves wonderfully, full of truth, secrets and fantasy that I secretly wish my life was like. The point is, I don't get that same feeling with Kindles. Now, don't misunderstand me - Kindles are a fantastic development in technology that allows us to have the option to carry many books around without the weight in our bags. They also allow access to thousands of new releases within seconds - just click download and there it is at your fingertips. They really do have their perks that make peoples lives - like the businessman on the train - just that little bit easier. But maybe that is the problem; nowadays people want things now and convenience is our number one priority. There is no reason we shouldn't have that choice of ease, however, there is just something so spectacular and special about nipping into a quaint little book shop and spending time being taken in by the quirky book covers and the smell of old books that have been passed through generations. Even visiting W H Smiths, I find interesting. I tend to set up camp in there for at least half an hour, sit on the floor and flick away through the new books placed on the shelf (you don't have to sit on the floor though!). 

Without books we wouldn't have libraries. Granted, they have audio, DVD and Internet sections now but it would not be a library without the paper element. My favourite book can't 'break' - unless I drop it in the bath or something - whereas kindles can. Technology can. Laid in bed at night, do families want to read stories to their children from a kindle or do they want them to interact with colours, words and imagery. If you wish to unwind at evening without the television, then Kindles will restrict your mind from switching off because it's technology based. We work with technology everyday and so, maybe, we need that bit of normality that your paperback book can provide. Laid at the side of the pool on holiday, while your sipping on your umbrella cocktail, it's beautiful to just to unwind with a book - not the Kindle that will end up lurking towards the lower depths of the swimming pool deep end. 

I am not at all saying Kindles aren't fantastic for convenience, for instant access to thousands of novels. If you had the option to download a book within seconds or trek into town in the pouring rain for the latest release, you know what option you are probably going to choose. They also are so simple and sleek that you can pop them in your bag, quickly race to that seat on the Tube and pull out your Kindle. 

I just don't want to see the same thing happen to our book shops, as recent failing retail businesses such as HMV and Blockbuster. 

The most important thing to realise is that we live in the technology age. It is not going to change, in reality technology is going to grow, expand and revolutionise our world. So the best thing we can do is accept the changes and use it to our advantage. What I am trying to say is, though I may not feel the same connection to Kindles, you have to utilize them in terms of efficiency and ease. You can create a special connection with books and really get lost in the story at your fingertips. If that effect can be created with Kindles, then combined, they definitely have the ability to be something wonderful. Until then - I'm going to sit on the Tube with my paperback novel and feel smug that I am having a much more wonderful reading experience than the businessman sat next to me.

Inspiring quote of the day, couldn't agree more! -> 

Merry Christmas

So, Santa has really treated me this Christmas. I must have been a hard little worker this year because there was my Ted Baker bag sat gracefully under the tree. That aside, I have unwrapped a few great books that I am very excited about digging into. 

Therefore, I will be flicking through them in the next few week and taking my hand at writing a few reviews on here. Hopefully, it will give you a feel of what to spend your granny's Christmas pennies on in the new year. 

Have a fantastic Christmas - I hope you eat all your mince pies, drink all your mulled wine and get happily fat (if there was ever such a thing). 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
 

I Heart London by Lindsey Kelk Review

I Heart London by Lindsey Kelk

REVIEW 

If you have read the entire series of 'I Heart's' you would probably been an emotional wreck before even reading the first page. Yes, this is Kelk's final part of her fabulously sparkling story of a 30 something woman who runs off to New York after catching her cheating fiancée in the back seat of her car doing the dirty at her best friends wedding. Main character Angela Clarke's adventure has, so far, took her to the Big Apple, Hollywood, Paris, Vegas and finally back to London. 

After saving her career and glittering life in New York by starting up her own magazine, the last book saw her accepting Alex's marriage proposal. Now it's her high maintenance mothers birthday meaning that she has to return back to blighty for the first time in two years. Things quickly - and naturally - begin to spiral out of control as her mother suggests they get married that weekend in their tiny back garden, with her ex-finance 'Mark' in the crowd and stirring up trouble. 

With the arrival of her American best friend Jenny treating the wedding as a military operation and causing friction between herself and Angela's British best mate, 'Louisa' - the ceremony soon turns into a dreaded nightmare. 

Prepare to get through a full box of tear-filled tissues by the end of the book. The words 'THE END' was the most traumatic feeling, 'WHAT WILL I READ NOW!'

That being said, the final book is hilarious and witty. You can completely relate to the main character who has way too many drunken injuries and gets herself in several awkward situations. Think Bridget Jones with a slightly more glossy edge. Comparing this book to the first, all the characters have grown and developed as the author has matured along with the story. Throughout the series you have had the glamour, the tears, laughter and empathy. 

I sincerely hope Kelk never stops writing books as her humour carries the novel well - not to mention her valuable knowledge of designer shoes and MAC products. 

I tweeted Lindsey Kelk to tell her how much I loved the series, she said: "Aww, there will be other books! 

"And maybe more I Heart's one day."

Lets hope so! 

50 Ways to Find a Lover by Lucy-Anne Holmes 

REVIEW

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. Don't know how I came across this, but the synopsis was enough to have me clicking on Amazon. The main character - Sarah Sargent - is the kind of girl you probably want to be best friends with. Her witty persona, crazy friends and fit flatmate are an hilarious bunch that manage to get themselves in the most outrageous situations. Sarah's black shadow cast on her love life lands her in some serious trouble - yet thoroughly magnificent positions. 

Therefore, she decides to start a blog, broadcasting all the details of her slightly exaggerated yet unfortunate love life. Sargent begins to investigate different methods to find her perfect man - a way a day. From speed-dating to hanging at the pub with soggy crisps, warm pints and football hooligans; she meets some interesting characters. Even though ridiculously funny and crazy to read, she becomes obsessed with getting readership on her diary and so her romances begin to suffer. 

With a few blokes on the go and her unimaginably handsome room mate at the back of her mind, Sarah has extremely amusing and comical problems to solve - blog or a boyfriend? 

The book is well-written and the author is laugh-out-loud witty! With many twists and turns - it is a perfect summer read to lay by the crystal blue pool with this summer. 50 Ways to Find a Lover in one hand and cocktail in the other, its definitely a page-turner. 

I Heart Vegas by Lindsay Kelk

Fresh, sweet and hilarious- just like the rest of Lindsay Kelk's I Heart series,Vegas definitely doesn't disappoint.

I Heart Vegas, is a fresh mix-up of Sex and the City and Friends, with a clumsy lead character we all love and admire.

I love reviewing Lindsay Kelk's books, because quite honestly I want to be Angela, in each and every one of them. Or Jenny, I really wouldn't mind being pretty and witty at the same time.

It's Christmas time when Angela is informed that she has lost her job at the women's magazine she writes for. After realising that she is about to get deported back to the United Kingdom- and her crazy mum- if she doesn't find a new one, she begins to panic. If only she could marry Alex, right? But, both being happily settled in their current lives, she fears that he would say no.

Meanwhile, Jenny is arranging a last minute, crazy trip to Vegas, assuring Angela that her visa will work out fine. Obviously, a Lindsay Kelk book wouldn't be the same without colourful lights, cat fights and cocktails- which is exactly what Vegas can guarantee you. Jenny has her own agenda that she's keeping from Angela for being there, but who will take a trip to the chapel? Jenny or Angela?

The book starts off with a more serious tone than the others in the series, eventually lightening up as you delve deeper into it. But this is not to take away from the hilarious situations that they find themselves in- falling in Vegas fountains and fighting sky-high in a helicopter.

I Heart Vegas, has a lot more heart than the other books, as you actually feel for the lead character. She doesn't want to lose her glossy life in New York, leave the love of her life or her crazy best friends. The book ends perfectly, but you'll have to read it for yourself- and let's face it, you will be happy you did!