A Question.

What kind of reader are you? Assuming of course you're a reader at all, which I desperately hope you are. Are you "read one and move on" kind of person, or perhaps more like myself, what I like to call a "book slut"? Are you a crumpler? A shove-in-bag-fold-over-pages-bend-back-spine reader? Or a "you break the spine of my book, and I'll break your spine" reader? Or even perhaps a member of the new breed of e-readers?

I'm between species, I guess. To me, there's no greater sight than a really battered old book. Pages fallen out and taped backed in, undecipherable scribblings in the margins or even a list at the back of words to look up the meaning of (mine are always shamefully long). A spine cracked back so many times you can barely read the title. You know, well loved. To see or own a book like that is a beautiful thing. Considering this is my reaction to one used book you can imagine how I feel in a second hand book store.

I often buy second hand books, for many reasons. It keeps the bookstores in business and there's no better way to spend an afternoon (or an entire day) than perusing dusty bookshelves lined with classics and beautiful editions. Oh, and it's cheap. But I can't resist the call of online retailers (cough, amazon, cough) promising cheaper copies, more variety, sent to your door at the click of a button. And believe me, I've indulged in more than a little late night online book-buying. And shamefully have answered the door to be showered with packages containing books I don't remember ordering (I should note that this really is only bad for my bank balance, because you can never have too many books).

And it's these new books I have a rather peculiar relationship with. I want to read them. All at once, instantly, if that were possible (here are my book sluttish tendencies rearing their head), but I suddenly become one of those people I, through lack of a less harsh word, hate. I go to crack open the spine, to fold the pages, to throw the book in my bag, but feel wrong doing so. With second hand books, it's fine, all the battering has been done for you. But with new books, part of me wants to keep them pristine, and shining, lined up neatly on the shelf. Even as I type I have a stack of new books next to me just waiting to be read. To be chucked about, to be cracked open, flipped through. To be loved.

But I thought I'd hold off on cracking the spine to write this instead.

Neglected

I haven't been a very good blogger lately. Mainly due to assessments and deadlines and planning for the "future" but I'll update you all on it soon. For now, I'm taking a well deserved break, a perfect cup of coffee, and listening to some Christmas tunes.

I know many of you have lots of deadlines at the moment, but soon it will be Christmas! And don't forget to take a break :)

Yay!


Congratulations to Mariah C, you're the winnner of GFM's first ever giveaway!

Your prize will be sent out asap!

xxx

I've been buying books...

1 click ordering on Amazon has been nothing but a nuisance as far as my bank account is concerned, but when I'm browsing and looking through recommendations sometimes I just can't resist!

Here's what will be heading through my letter box soon...

Marie Antoinette by Antonia Fraser


My knowledge of history is horrifically sparse, so I thought I'd rectify the situation by doing a little reading. I've heard really great things about Fraser's works and that they read really nicely as well as being incredibly informative. I'm really looking forward to delving into this one.


Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman


Let's face facts, I couldn't not buy this. A collection of essays about owning, collecting and a life long obsession with books? Yes please.


The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde


This is one of those books that I've wanted to read for so long, but just hadn't got around to yet. So I figured buying it is one step closer to actually reading it, right?


And finally,
Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol


After reading and adoring Crime and Punishment, I have wanted to explore some other Russian authors. I'm a cheapskate so I went for the Wordsworth edition, which I understand might not be the best translation. But C&P was also a wordsworth edition and I found it fine to read, although I did pick up on a teeny error. Still loved it all the same...


So what are you reading, loving, recommending at the moment?


Peace H xx

Boots Haul

I recently stopped by Boots to pick up some Winter essentials, repurchase some faves and indulge in a few treats!

I repurchased Soap & Glory Hand Food hand cream in the larger size


This has quickly become my most favourite Winter essential. Keeps my hands super soft and smelling gorgeous, without being overly greasy. Perfect!


I also got myself a full size Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector B.B Cream in light


I was dubious about this at first, as I am with any product that has this much hype. But after using my free samples I fell in love. Some people have been using this as a primer, but for me it's been a simple foundation. It gives me good coverage, not too heavy, and with a little powder on top for added staying powder it's magic!


Some new purchases for me are Revlon's PhotoReady concealer in 002 light and Revlon's eyeliner pencil in 06 Aubergine


I'm pretty pleased with this concealer. I just needed something for underneath my eyes as no matter what I do or how much sleep I get, I always have dark circles. But this lightened them right up, not too heavy, and pretty much stayed put all day.

I decided to branch out in my eyeliner colours. I'd always been a black eyeliner kinda girl, maybe the odd brown if I was feeling daring. But after receiving the olive glittery smudge stick in last months Glossy box I loved how it looked and so bought this dark purpley little number, with a little shimmer in it. I love the colour, it just doesn't stay put as well at the smudge stick does. Any suggestions on good eyeliners that don't end up half way down my face after a few hours?



My winter essentials this year are these bad boys...

Carex antibacterial hand gel - Spash gel, moisture plus and grapefruit and lime.

Last Christmas was awful because I was terribly ill for the whole holiday! Christmas is no fun when you're confined to your bed, and can't even manage a little turkey! So this year I am determined not to get ill and so stocked up on these guys.



And how could I go to Boots and not get some nail varnish?!

Revlon Top Speed in 606 Stormy
Rimmel Lycra Pro in 378 Posh Trash
Rimmel Lycra Pro French Manicure in 445 French Rose


I love all of these, especially Posh Trash. French Rose is nice too, it gives that French Manicure look without looking too unnaturally pink.



To go with the French Rose nail varnish I also got Rimmel's Nail White Pencil


The reviews on this have been pretty mixed, but I really like it. They whiten the tips of my nails just a little which is what I wanted. I didn't want anything too unnaturally white. It's perfect!



So what are your winter essentials?

Peace H xxx

Feel Unique - November Box

Dear lord not another reivew of Feel Unique's November box I hear you cry. Alas, yes. I was going to hold off on reviewing this box, even though it's my first from Feel Unique, due to the sheer volume of posts that have been going up reviewing it. But I couldn't resist because I was super duper happy with this box!



Apologies in advance for the not brilliant pictures. As much as I love Winter, usually a distinct lack of daylight comes with it and my photos always seem to look so much nicer in daylight. Here goes anyway.



Firstly, this box is the cheapest around (£9.95 per month inc delivery) which is always good, and it has noticeably larger sample sizes which is fantastic. No more teeny tiny tubes!


What first caught my eye was the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Life and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm & Dual Action Professional Cleansing Cloth

I've never heard of this brand before but I love that we got a muslin cloth with it - a really nice touch. I'm not keen on the frangrance at all, but it doesn't hang around long, and it cleaned my make up off really nicely and my face felt nice and soft afterwards.


Next we have Goldwell DualSenses Rich Repair 60 Sec Treatment and Xen-Tan Deep Bronze Luxe

I've heard a lot of good things about the Goldwell brand, but as yet haven't tried any, so I'm really looking forward to giving this a go!
The tanning lotion is something I really wouldn't go for as well. Supposedly the brand is very good, and this is supposed to smell lovely but I haven't opened it. Instead of it going to waste I thought I might throw it into my giveaway providing that the winner would like it!


Next we have Bella Pierre Shimmer Powder and Prada Candy Fragrance Sample

The shimmer powder seems really nice. I got a lovely pale beige colour which I'm really pleased with, as it's definitely the one I would choose out of the colours that were given to other people.
The perfume sample I really liked. At first I wasn't so sure, but I wore it anyway, and it really grew on me throughout the day and now I really love it! It may even feature in my letter to Santa this year...


Finally we have Schwarzkopf Professional OSIS+ Dust It Mattifying Powder


This is such a weird product! In a good way though. It's a powder, that turns into a waxy cream in your hand. I didn't think I'd like it as products like this usually totally weigh my fine hair down, but this seems quite nice. It gave my hair a good bit of volume at the roots without making them feel greasy. Again, a really good sample size you can get a good few uses out of.


I'm really pleased with this box. I like how there was a nice mix of well known and new brands and of course excellent sample sizes. I shall definitely remain subscribed to Feel Unique for a while yet!

Peace H xxx

Workspace Analysis

Seeing as I've been spending so much time at it, I thought I'd do a post about my desk. Yes, my desk. I think someone's workspace says a lot about that person, and I've seen a couple of these posts and thought I'd give it a go also...

So here it is!


This is where I've been spending a lot of my time lately!

I've got my laptop, of course, ingeniously stood upon some books as it has a tendency to overheat (you can see Lord of the Rings poking out there).

Textbooks and notes are always strewn across my desk, along with the beloved filofax, and a bottle of water - gotta stay hydrated.

I keep all my pens in a mug I got at the Christmas market last year (is there anything better than wandering around Edinburgh in winter drinking mulled wine from a mug? I think not). Like any good student I'm always well-stocked when it comes to post-it notes and highlighters.

I've also got a few candles, because who doesn't like candles?

Next to the candles are some stones... these were the stones that I picked up off the beach on my last day in Cyprus, and they remind me of being on holiday.

And finally the obligatory stapler, and that's your lot.

And here's the view I spend most of my day staring at, instead of actually doing work!



That's all for now!

Peace H xxx


P.S Have you signed up for my giveaway yet? :)

Girl From Mars Giveaway!

Yes, you heard me right, this is my first ever giveaway. Since it's November it's officially ok to be excited about Christmas, and it being the season of giving and all, I thought it was the perfect time to give you all a well-deserved treat!

And here it is!



A Yankee Sampler Candle (Sparkling Snow scent) - it may not be snowing outside yet, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the lovely fresh scent of freshly fallen snow. And a vintage-looking adjustable red cocktail ring - just in time for the party season!

Along with these there will also be a lovely surprise gift included!

Unfortunately, this giveaway is restricted to UK applicants only this time round.


So for your chance to win here's what you can do!


1.Firstly, to enter you have to be a follower of this blog.

2. Email me at thisisgfm@gmail.com to be entered in the prize draw! (remember to include an email address or some other contact information)

3. For an extra entry, tweet about this giveaway (remember to include @belettepeu so I know who's tweeted!)

4. For ANOTHER extra entry (I'm so good to you) do a blog post about this giveaway and email the link to the above address (you don't have to do two seperate emails, I'll make sure you get your extra entries)



The deadline for all entries is midnight on Friday 11th November, and the winner will be revealed the following day!


Good Luck! H xxx

It's the Little Touches

Recently I've been wanting to redecorate my room and spruce it up a little. However, being a student on a student budget, that's not likely to happen anytime soon. So I've been coming up with a few ways to brighten it up a little...

On top of that, I've been looking for ways to store my jewelry. And I came across this idea on the internet to hang it up on the walls using pins!

So I attacked this little space on my wall...



and hung my earrings up on the pins...

Tip: Push the pins in at a slightly downwards angle so the earrings stay on better


and a few necklaces...


And here's the finished product!


I think it really looks pretty - and no more untangling necklaces! Of course you don't have to put the pins straight into the wall, a cork board would work just as well and look equally as nice.


I also dug out the old fairy lights and hung them up above my bed...


They're so much nicer to read with at night compared with a boring old lamp!


Hopefully I'll come up with a few more ways to spruce up the place spending little or no money.
Also, stay tuned for an exciting post coming tomorrow! :)

Peace H xxx

Garnier B.B. Cream Review

So this morning the postman popped a sample of Garnier's Skin Natural BB Cream through my door and within seconds I was slathering it all over my face.




I've heard good things about this and was really eager to try it out. It's a BB Cream. Never heard of them? No, me neither. BB stands for Blemish Balm - though why they just can't say "blemish balm" I'll never know - and it apparently combines the benefits of skincare and make-up in one.

I'll skip all the blah about it being a cult product in Asia, developed by a German, yadda yadda, and get to the good stuff...

The free sample came with three good sized sachets which I was uber impressed with. And I mean good sized. I tried one sachet out this morning and I had covered my face in half a sachet - I still put more on just to see what would happen. I like to live life on the edge.

It's a nice consistency. Rather heavily perfumed, but it doesn't last too long. And it's got fairly good coverage, for skin tone anyway, not so much for blemishes. But this is a massive plus for me. I have the rosiest cheeks on the planet, which I've always kinda hated but have learned to accept (they've probably saved me a fortune in blusher), and it really softened the redness out without looking too much like it's been covered up.

I wore it on it's own today and it's really stuck around. On first application it looked like it might make my skin a bit too shiny, but it soon matted out a bit. And I'm really impressed.

I'm not one for having lots of foundation, powder etc on, and I really couldn't imagine using this a primer. More just a natural light foundation during the day. But this is something I shall definitely be buying... Especially as the sample included a £1 off voucher.


Peace H xxx

Warning - Christmas Post

The air is getting colder. The days are getting shorter. And I can't stop whistling Christmas tunes.

Yep, it's almost winter.

And winter for me means essentially cosying up indoors, sipping something hot, munching on something delicious, listening to something that's festive, watching something amazing, and reading something fantastic. Oh and you know, CHRISTMAS.

Ok, ok, it's only October. So sue me! I LOVE CHRISTMAS. I LOVE WINTER. And I don't care who knows it.





I usually get Yankee Candles in winter so they always remind me of Christmas. They smell absolutely gorgeous and are guaranteed to get you feeling festive (even if it is only October).





Starbuck's winter range. Possibly the most delicious thing on the planet. Need I say more?





Christmas cards! Love 'em. And am seriously considering doing a blog Christmas card send out so I can send all you lovely ladies (and gentlemen!) some cards :)





Christmas baking! I can't wait to start baking cookies and all sorts of terribly unhealthy but terribly delicious things!





Oh yeah, and SNOW. Hopefully not to the extent last year, but a little sprinkling would be nice!


Hope you're all feeling ridiculously prematurely festive like me.

Peace H
xxx

Glossy Box - October

Yes, I know, you'll have read approximately a gazillion of these reviews already. But it's my first glossy box, I was excited, and I'll make this a quick one.

If you haven't heard of Glossy Box it's, yet another, monthly subscription dealio much like Boudoir Prive and Feel Unique.

Beautifully wrapped...

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And jam-packed full of goodies...

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This month the lovely people at Glossy Box bestowed upon us not one, but three perfume samples. Which I found all surprisingly wearable.

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They are Robert Piguet's Fracas, Visa and Calypso. Which I found all quite nice, especially Calypso. Fruity and fresh but still A/W appropriate if that makes any sense at all.

Along with the fragrance samples, we were really spoiled this month...

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Dermalogica Age Smart multivitamin thermafoliant, multivitamin power recover masque, and renewal lip complex
Leighton Denny Expert Nails in Sex Kitten
Stila smudge stick waterproof eyeliner in Moray


As you can see this months box heavily featured Dermalogica samples, which I liked. I liked the ability to really get a feel for the brand, as opposed to just trying out one thing. The masque didn't really have the consistency I expected of it, but it was alright, but not the greatest of scents. As I was applying the thermofoliant it felt extrodinarily greasy, but after rinsing off (and I felt the need to apply a really good moisturiser) my skin did feel great. The "lip renewal complex" was fine too. I was (probably a little too) pleased with the handy cosmetics case too.

The smudge stick eyeliner I love. I love it so much I forgot to photograph it, but it's a lovely dark olive green colour with glitter. Which is something I'd never go for, but I really really like it. Some people have had trouble twisting it out? I don't know, mine was fine!

Finally we got the nail varnish, which I was excited to try out. Unfortunately the colour just doesn't do it for me at all. The oddly named "Sex Kitten" just isn't my colour. It's a good nail varnish don't get me wrong, but I'm sure it'll make a nice gift for someone ;)


And that's your lot!

Stay tuned for next months edition of "I spend too much money on monthly beauty subscriptions!"

Peace H
xxx

Award!

Thanks so much to the lovely Sarah for awarding me this...


There are three rules for this award:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave the award to you.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Send it along to 10 other bloggers and let them know you have awarded them!


So thanks again Sarah, and I've linked your blog above. She also features in my favourites list to the left there, and you should definitely check her out.


And here goes the 7 things about myself...


1. I love to read, as you can probably tell from my previous post, and I'm rarely without a book.

2. I've just started getting into baking, thanks to the GBBO, and it's so much fun! There have been a few disasters (cakes the consistency of biscuits - not good) but overall I think I'm doing well.

3. I'm in my last year at university, and at the point where I really have to decide what to do next. No pressure!

4. I love music. All kinds. Especially live.

5. I named my dog after a Beatles song - guess which one!

6. I was born in England, and have lived in Germany, Cyprus and now Scotland.

7. (my dog's name is Lucy)


And here are the ten bloggers I'd like to pass on the award to, and thoroughly recommend you follow them, now!

1. http://www.littlebirdfashion.com/
***
2. http://amilliondresses.blogspot.com/
***
3. http://misskirsty.blogspot.com/
***
4. http://gemfatale.blogspot.com/
***
5. http://missbudgetbeauty.blogspot.com/
***
6. http://fire-exits.blogspot.com/
***
7. http://stundon.blogspot.com/
***
8. http://mycupcake-couture.blogspot.com/
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9. http://www.ohreallyblog.com/
***
10. http://sunshine-rainbows-and-ribbons.blogspot.com/



Thanks again!

Peace H
xx

Watcha Reading?

I love a good book me, so I thought I'd do a little post on what I'm reading now, and whats on my ever-expanding to-read list.



From top to bottom...

Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
I literally just started reading this last night, but it sounds like a really interesting story. It's about the intertwining lives of Mrs Dalloway and other characters on one day, which apparently draws towards an inevitable suicide. See? Interesting. It's taken a little getting used to and a little re-reading passages to get into Woolf's writing style. It's writen, so far anyway, as one constant stream of thought. So sentences are interrupted mid way through points etc, but it's actually a nice way of writing.

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
I read this book in it's entirety yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's about an island of people, from where the author (Nollop) of the sentence "the quick fox jumps over the lazy dog" was from. And so, they errected a statue of him, along with his sentence, in his honour. Then one day, the letters start falling off, and the islanders interpret this as Nollop's way of telling them to cease using these letters, from beyond his grave. It's written as letters the islanders write to one another and shows a lot of ingenuity in the latter chapters when only a few letters remain! A good read :)

Ulysses by James Joyce
This was a birthday present, but I'm holding off reading it til perhaps the Christmas holidays. I think it's the kind of book one has to devote a lot of time to to get through it.

The Collected Dorothy Parker
Another birthday present, this is pretty much absolutely everything Parker ever wrote including articles, short stories, poems, reviews. I adore it. It's a wonderful book that you just pick up every so often and have a little read of.

The Inheritors by William Golding
I love love love this book. Having studied it in English at school I recently purchased it because I'd love to read it again without having to stop and analyse everything.

The Cornish Trilogy by Robertson Davies
I've read the first book "The Rebel Angels" and thoroughly enjoyed it. Can't wait to get stuck into the other two!




Again, top to bottom:

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
I originally read this as I thought it was one of those books that you really ought to read at some point in your life. But I adored it. And will most definitely read it again, and probably again and again and again. I would even go as far to say that this is my favourite book. And it's encouraged me to read more Dostoevsky, as well as other Russian authors.

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Another birhday book, I read this on holiday. Ironically reading beautiful, long passages about fire and burning, while sitting in the sun burning myself. It's set in a future where books are banned and firemen are employed to burn them. A fantastic book, I'd say on par with Orwell's 1984.

And all the rest are on my to-read list!

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing

and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte



If any of you out there are avid readers like myself, you might like to consider joining me over at goodreads, a lovely little website where you can update and keep track of what you've been reading as well as have a look and see what you're friends are reading and what they think.


Peace H xx

Boudoir Privé - October Box

Yes, it's another review of Boudoir Privé's October box. But seeing as it's my first box, I thought I'd put in my two cents.

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If you didn't already know, Boudoir Privé is a monthly subscription dealio. You give them a little of your hard earned cash each month, and in return they send a lovely little box full of carefully thought out luxury goodies. 6 to be exact, each under the theme skincare, bodycare, haircare, fragrance, lifestyle and make up.

Like I said, this month was my first box, and I wasn't disappointed.

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and here are the goodies!

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And here are the products in a little more detail...


Skincare
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This month for skincare we received Cetuem Illuminating Mask & Creme de Lite. They're fairly decent sized samples, and I'm a sucker for skin care products so can't wait to try these out.


Bodycare
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I recieved Korre's Quince body butter, which I've already had a little try of. It smells gorgeous and is a really great moisturiser without being too sticky and greasy. Love it!


Haircare
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This month it was Leonor Greyl's Huile de Palme, a pre-shampoo conditioner made only of natural ingredients. I'm really excited to try this product, I've never used a pre-shampoo conditioner before, and my hair could definitely use a little tlc right now.


Fragrance
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This months sample fragrance is one of the Memo Paris collection (I recieved Les Eschappees).Some people seem annoyed that perfume samples are always featured in these monthly beauty boxes, as you can easily pick up samples for free. But I quite like the idea of trying out perfumes I normally wouldn't take a second look at, as long as they aren't the main feature of the box. I thought this was quite a nice scent, but a little too mature for me, if you know what I mean?


Lifestyle
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This month is Rose & Co's Rose Petal Salve. I was a little puzzled as to why this was classed as a Lifestyle product, but I don't mind one bit as I love love love this. And have in fact just slathered it across my lips right now. It's a full sized sample, which is great, and smells like turkish delight! Which can only be a good thing.


and finally Makeup
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This is Studiomakeup's Liner Styler Pen Black, and I have fallen instantly in love with it. I've been looking for a new eyeliner and this may just be it. It's got a lovely intense black colour, and can easily be used to make thin or thick lines. It stays put instantly too. All on top of being, another, full sized product.


Overall, I'm a happy bunny (that smells like turkish delight) this month...

Peace H
xx

Rekindled Love

A few years ago my go-to accessory was earrings, and I was rarely without them. But somehow I just gradually wore them less and less. I was recently sorting out all my jewelry and realised how many great pairs I have, and I definitely need to get back in the way of wearing them!

I'll try my best to remember where they are from...


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Top row left to right: eBay and Accessorize
Bottom row left to right: Matalan (?) and eBay

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Top row: Topshop
Bottom row: Accessorize

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Left to right: Warehouse and Topshop

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Bird - gift
Key, wing, elephant - H&M
Horse - Accessorize