You may have noticed that it went quiter here and on social media the last two months and i am truly sorry about that. I continously tried to get out of the writing slump and get back on schedule, but it never really worked out.
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
8.8.15
12.7.15
Favorite 5 Travel Apps
I love traveling, seeing new countries, new cities, exploring the unknown and making experiences i wouldn't if i stayed at home. I always wanted to see the world, do a trip around the world. I have that kind of urge that pulls me to unknown places. That's one of the reasons why i'm in Canada for 10 months. Below i'll talk about my favorite Travel apps, which are five to be exact.
5.7.15
What to pack when you're gone for a long time
This post will be part of a Canada series where i talk about my experience as an AuPair, living away from home for ten months, tips and information about Canada. There is no specific schedule in which i publish those posts but they all will be posted in the next four months. Round about.
When i moved for ten months to Canada i knew before that i wanted it to happen and that there were high chances that it would, but i had no idea when and where in specific i would move. 2 weeks before my departure i got those informations and my life went from normal and not sure if it will work out to a complete chaos where i would leave everything behind in two weeks time. It was crazy. There were so many things to organize, to do, to buy, people to meet and say goodbye to.
In all this time i never really thought about what to pack. I bought suitcases and stuff like q-tips or face wipes but apart from that i didn't planned anything. My thought was that i would just put everything i use into my suitcase and be done with it. Haha. No. It worked out quite fine in the end, but i wished afterwards i would have thought more about it or had something to help me. Just like a post similar to this one.
Packing for a "move" to a different country for a longer time is totally different from packing for a two week vacation. If you forgot something it is only 2 weeks until you have it again.
//CLOTHESWISE
First of all you should gather information about how the weather will be in the time you're there. Are you only there in the warmer or in the colder months? How warm or cold will it be? That's a department i personally underestimated. I knew it would be up to minus 20 degrees in the winter, but i didn't thought much about the 40 degree hot summer. So i bought a thick coat, mittens, the whole schebeng. BUT i only packed 2 shorts, one dress and one skirt i could wear everyday. And one bikini. Not that good of a choice. But apart from the weather conditions you should also think about what you will do in your time there. Will you mostly stay at home and need comfortable clothes or are you going to a lot of meetings where you need more business clothes? I packed way to many thight skirts and clothes i would wear on a more fancy event or a night out, but not everyday looking after kids.
The most important tip i can give you though is packing things you already wear lots and you like to wear and you know you will wear. Forget about the dress you always think you should wear but never did before. Save the space.
//EVERYDAY STUFF
These are the things you probably won't forget about so easily. The things you use everyday like moisturizer, hairbrush and so on and so on. Put don't overpack. Look up if you can get those things in the country you're moving to. If yes pack only the one product you have, if no buy one or two backups depending on how quick you go through them. I'm thinking about my holy grail concealer i can't get in canada. I regret not bringing a backup. To save space buy bodylotion, showergel, shampoo and those things in travel sizes. You have something for the first week or two and in that time you should be able to buy big sizes where you are then.
These are the things you probably won't forget about so easily. The things you use everyday like moisturizer, hairbrush and so on and so on. Put don't overpack. Look up if you can get those things in the country you're moving to. If yes pack only the one product you have, if no buy one or two backups depending on how quick you go through them. I'm thinking about my holy grail concealer i can't get in canada. I regret not bringing a backup. To save space buy bodylotion, showergel, shampoo and those things in travel sizes. You have something for the first week or two and in that time you should be able to buy big sizes where you are then.
//THINGS YOU MIGHT NEED OR NOT
Do i need my photography equipemt? What if i want to start a sport while i'm there but don't have my clothes with me (like balletshoes, riding equipment, etc)? Here you have to plan and if you don't know think about if it would be so bad if you wouldn't have those things with you. Or if you could combine different needs. You can easily go to a ballett class in yoga leggins or jogging pants. In this department it is all depending on how much space you have left in your suitcase after you put everything else in. Don't put important things out of your suitcase just to put the things from this department in. You might end up not using them.
//THINGS YOU NEED BUT EASILY FORGET ABOUT
Besides the things you use everyday there are things you don't, but still need to pack. Or you will hope you did once you need them. I forgot Tweezers, Body lotion and (even if it is a thing is use everyday twice) my toothbrush. Last was a bit stupid, i admit. I never thought about the tweezers or the nailoil or handcream while packing, because i don't use them everyday. I use them maybe once a week or once a months. So i didn't had them on my mind while thinking about things i use often. Yes, you can easily buy them in the country you are later, but it is an unnecessary money spending you could have saved.
Do you have any tips on packing? Where you gone for a few months already and did some of those mistakes i mentioned?
3.7.15
How to NOT buy beauty products
It may seem strange to write about this kind of topic on a beautyblog, where i write about all the products i love, can't live without, want to or already have purchased. And it is. Kind of. I think i will never be able to hold me back from buying too much, too expensive and totally unnecessary beauty products for a long time or forever. But from time to time it is a good idea to stay away from tempting beauty isles and give your bank account a rest and a chance to recover. Afterwards you might discovered new favorite products in your own stash and may discovered what kind of products you like to use, you need in your stash and kind of products you should stay away from.
All it did to me to not purchase any kind of beauty products i didn't need (not that i need any to be honest) is that i am more secure in my buying and know what i want and what i don't.
//DON'T ENTER ANY BEAUTY ISLES
First things first and the obvious one, just don't enter any beauty isles. If you don't you don't get tempted and you can't buy anything. Easy but effective.
//IF YOU NEED TO, MAKE A LIST AND STICK TO IT
Still you can't stay out of drugstores or beauty stores forever, because we have needs. We need the everyday stuff like shampoo, shower gel, moisturizer and co, which are ok to purchase. Problem is you have to enter a beauty isles for this and there are so many tempting things you want to throw in your basket and buy. What helped me was making a list of the things i needed and sticked to the list. If i only need hairproducts i don't stop at the cosmetic part of the store instead i headed straight to the hairproducts. Don't even look (:D).
//MAKE A WISHLIST
If you read beauty blogs and watch YouTube videos like i do and don't want to stop, but can't help it to get fixed on products, make a wishlist. Write the things you think you need to have on a list and after the months or the time you set for this challenge you look at the list and you can maybe even cross a few of the things you don't want anymore.
//AFTERWARDS
Don't go without a list to the beauty isles anymore or at the least not a lot. Put things from your wishlist you want the most on your shopping list. Maybe even set a limit of products, like 5 or 10 products. Then look and swatch or test the products on your shopping list first. If it is skincare, ask for a sample and try it at home. If it is a highend product read reviews and see if it would fit you and your beauty habits and if you would actually use it after the purchase.
Did you ever challenged yourself to not buy any beauty procuts?
//DON'T ENTER ANY BEAUTY ISLES
First things first and the obvious one, just don't enter any beauty isles. If you don't you don't get tempted and you can't buy anything. Easy but effective.
//IF YOU NEED TO, MAKE A LIST AND STICK TO IT
Still you can't stay out of drugstores or beauty stores forever, because we have needs. We need the everyday stuff like shampoo, shower gel, moisturizer and co, which are ok to purchase. Problem is you have to enter a beauty isles for this and there are so many tempting things you want to throw in your basket and buy. What helped me was making a list of the things i needed and sticked to the list. If i only need hairproducts i don't stop at the cosmetic part of the store instead i headed straight to the hairproducts. Don't even look (:D).
//MAKE A WISHLIST
If you read beauty blogs and watch YouTube videos like i do and don't want to stop, but can't help it to get fixed on products, make a wishlist. Write the things you think you need to have on a list and after the months or the time you set for this challenge you look at the list and you can maybe even cross a few of the things you don't want anymore.
//AFTERWARDS
Don't go without a list to the beauty isles anymore or at the least not a lot. Put things from your wishlist you want the most on your shopping list. Maybe even set a limit of products, like 5 or 10 products. Then look and swatch or test the products on your shopping list first. If it is skincare, ask for a sample and try it at home. If it is a highend product read reviews and see if it would fit you and your beauty habits and if you would actually use it after the purchase.
Did you ever challenged yourself to not buy any beauty procuts?
1.7.15
June Lookback
//SERIOUSLY HOT WEATHER
When i say seriously. I mean seriously HOT weather. Around the 40's. The temperature where you just want to sit inside where it's kind of cold. Not really, but kind of. Good thing we have a pool though, because without that i would just sit in a bucket of water. Thumbs up for the pool! Although while i'm writing this post it's raining since 7am so...i don't know what's with the weather.
//HANDS UP FOR THE NOMAKEUP MAKEUP LOOK
I know, that i'm currently very boring in the makeup department. Sorry for that, but i just can't seem to bother with makeup. It's too hot and nobody except the family sees me anyways. So...yeah no makeup guys.
//GOING TO MONTREAL IN AUGUST
I'm so excited and i just can't hide it! I'm going to Quebec at the end of August and even added a week before i fly home again, so i can stay a bit longer. I already made a list of what to see in Montreal & Quebec city. It's gonna be awesome, guys. All the good french canadian food and speaking french (which i'm a bit scared about honestly). The countdown says 52 more days!
//SORRY FOR NOT POSTING
The last two months or so there were weeks, where i didn't post anything. And most of the time without or very short notice. I'm so sorry for that. But i work 5 days a week 9 hours and most of the time am only able to go on my laptop at around 9 or 10. Then i'm most of the time too exhausted to write anything good. On the weekend we do stuff most of the time, so i don't have time to write posts either. And another problem is, that i don't know what to write about. Serious writing slumb.
//HOW TO BE BAD BOOK & ROADTRIP PLAYLIST
Just finished "how to be bad" by E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle and Sarah Mylnowski and it was soo good. It's this months #BUTTONSBOOKSHELF so i am excited for Estée's video. It's about three girls going on a roadtrip to Miami and just being badass and doing badass stuff and growing into a really good friendship. And after i finished the book i made a Spotify playlist with all the songs mentioned in the book. Which i love btw.
How was your month?
14.6.15
Top 5 Fashion Blogger/YouTuber
I'm very picky when it comes to fashion bloggers even pickier than with beauty bloggers or YouTubers. I don't know, the style of the blogger has to speak to me in a way, that i can see myself in that kind of outfit. And i don't like just one style like preppy. I like different styles. You will see what i mean, when you visit the ladys mentioned below on their blogs. The thing is that i don't like every single outfit they post, more like every third. Because i like the mix of different styles...Hard to explain, just have a look.
//TESS CHRISTINE - YOUTUBE
A newly New York based Beauty/Fashion Youtuber. She did more beauty focused videos a few years ago, but the reason i love her channel are her fashion videos. Especially the Get the Look for Less videos for different celebrities are the bomb.com. Seriously love her style. I have to go through all her fashion vids again and make screenshots of the outfits so i can pin them on my Pinterest fashion inspiration board.
//IN LOVE WITH - BLOG - YOUTUBE
German fashion blogger girl. First ever fashion blogger i followed. Supercute. And her Outfits are feminine, girly, but still elegant. Some of them are ultimate favorites of mine. And her How to Style Series is so inspirational and makes me step out of my comfortzone from time to time.
//WITH LOVE FROM KAT - BLOG
I came to Kat's blog over Instagram. Her outfits are so elegant. I would like my style to go more in the elegant, effortless, grown up, simple way. Seriously you have to check her out. Definite style crush and want feeling overload.
//LITTLE MAGPIE - BLOG - YOUTUBE
The more edgy, "hipster" blogger of the bunch. Some of her outfits really make me want to buy all the things she wore and probably look not like me anymore, but i like a edgy piece in my wardrobe here and there.
//MERRICK'S ART - BLOG
This is the preppy, elegant blogger i like. I know quite the mix here. She doesn't only posts beautiful wearable outfits, there are also some DIY Fashion tutorials here and there and hers are looking so good and are most of the time really easy to do. So thumbs up for that. Her style is btw just effortless ang wow.
Who is your favorite Fashion Blogger/Youtuber?
P.S. Sundays upload time is from now 9am PST. Just to let you know :)
31.5.15
Mai Lookback
//MY LOVE FOR RODEO'S
This month i attended my first ever Rodeo. I was always fond of all the Cowgirl/Cowboy stuff, because i grew up around horses. The first time in a westernsaddle on a western horse has still to come. But now that's not all, now i feel the need to swing myself on a horse and participate in a Rodeo as a Barrel Racer...
//SKIRTS WITH POCKETS
It's getting hot out here. No need for those long pants anymore. I prefer skirts and dresses over shorts, because there are just more comfortable. One problem i face is the fact, that they most of the time don't have pockets. I am not carrying a purse most of the time, so where should i put keys, sunglasses cash? So skirts or dresses with pockets come in handy and i am only taking them off for a quick swim in the pool.
//PUT ON THOSE SUITS!
I didn't want to start watching another show, because i was already watching six or seven and it was hard to keep up. Hart of Dixie and Glee ended and Vampire Diaries, Reign and The Originals season finale is over and Pretty Little Liars doesn't return until June 2nd. So i had time to start watching a new show and i choose Suits. I have to admit...i am obsessed i barely do something else than watching episodes of Suits when i'm on my computer. And seriously Rachel's outfits are just on point. seriously. flawless.
//FEELING THE NEED FOR JO MALONE'S WOOD SAGE & SEA SALT
Everybody loves Jo Malone and that probably for a good reason. The first time i heard one of the many bloggers raving about it, the description and name of the scent spoke to me. I'm a little more grown up since my last perfume purchase and i know now, that i don't like floral or heavy oriental scent and i am more the fresh scent kind of person.
//WHAT IF IT WAS & PITCH PERFECT ON REPEAT
I think i found Taylor Buono's as an artist over the suggested videos for you on YouTube. I instantly feel in love with her song "What if it was". Strangely i can relate to the fact of the fear, that you maybe missed something because you should it wasn't meant to be or it wasn't the right thing to do, but what if it was? I really want to watch Pitch Perfect 2, but didn't came along to do it yet, so i rewatched Pitch Perfect 1 instead. My love for Anna Kendrick and the Pitch Perfect Soundtrack awoke again...
What was your highlight of the month?
10.5.15
Top 10 Beauty Blogger/YouTuber
Me starting a Beauty Blog didn't came from anywhere. It came from my obsession with Beauty Blogs and YouTube Channels, so here are my top ten i always look forward to read and watch.
Estée doesn't only make laid back relaxed and easy to listen to Beauty Videos, but also really amazing lifestyle videos. The monthly #ButtonsBookShelve is a bookclub i already joined a few times and it's a lot of fun. Or the what's in my Grandma's handbag video is one that's on my to watch list. And i just love to listen to Estées voice.
Amelia is in terms of contouring or face makeup in general a pro. Just watch one of her makeup tutorials and you'll know what i mean. She is responsible for my desire to buy Charlotte Tilbury products and is in general someone i trust in terms of Highend product recommendations and reviews. FYI she made me like vlogs, i never did and then i watched one of her vlogs and since then i kinda like them.
Her and Anna's Beauty Chat videos are awesome! I love them! And i do hope that they do the Beauty Chat LIve on Tour again, so i can go and join! Hear me? Please, please do it again! Really nice channel and blog and a good source for London insider tips. Restaurants and Co i will visit the next time i'm in London.
Probably my Blogger Girl Crush. She's so nice and down to earth and funny. And her videos or blogposts are seriously some of the best i read/watch. Just check her out. NOW!
The one and only on the Canada Blogger/Youtuber front. She is incredibly beautiful i like her funny weirdo character and sometimes i just shake my head when i watch her. She's a bit crazy. The majority of the featured products are highend, but that doesn't bother me at all. And her tutorials are on point. Seriously i wish i would be that good with my makeup application.
The only US based Youtuber/Blogger i follow. Surprising for me. I just love her vids and posts. The Spring Cleaning series she recently did, got me into the cleaning drill, where i felt the urgent desire to go through my wardrobe and beauty stash and reorganize everything. If you have any US Beauty Blogger/Youtuber recommendations, pop them below.
Sweet girl with gorgeous hair (inspiration for my next colouring session) and a super cute little dog! I jump everytime i see her in one of her videos. If you need help getting your eyeliner game on point this is the place to go, Suzie's eyeliner is just perfect, like always.
Very cute and another Blogger/Youtuber that is living in the UK. I don't know why i follow so many UK Bloggers... Her calm voice makes me feel relaxed instantly, i love her style (already wrote "love" too many times in this post) and her videos and posts are on point. Do i have to say more? No, just go check her out.
Those two are just...my favorite german YouTubers. Bold statement i know. If you understand german, than just watch them and you'll love them. Especially their 1 Look | 2 Faces are so cool and i have never seen something similiar. They use the same products, but they have completely different skin tones (light and light to medium) and hair colours (blonde and dark brown).
//XKARENINA | RENI | DE | YOUTUBE
If you want to step up your skincare game and educate yourself about skincare ingredients and for which ones you should look in products and which ones you should avoid. Check out here more recent videos. In general she's a good source for highend product recommendations and reviews.
What are your favorite Beauty Bloggers/Youtubers? Do you read or watch any of the above?
3.5.15
April Lookback
PRODUCT TO ADD TO THE WISHLIST - Those new released Pop Lip Colour + Primer lipsticks from Clinique are smiling at me since i saw them for the first time in a newsletter. They are primer and colour in one and they have a velvet finish. Plus they are supposed to moisturise your lips for 8 hours. Definitely sounds good and everybody in the beauty world seems to like them. "Plum Pop" and "Beige Pop" are on my wishlist and may be purchased soon.
BLOGPOST TO READ & VIDEO TO WATCH - This month there isn't only a blogpost or a video to watch, there is both. And those address a very important issue in our society and a problem a lot of girls and women struggle with. The pressure of having the "perfect body" and being fat. I think as long as you are happy with your body and you don't have any health issues you can look however you want to look. And nobody should have the right to tell you that you are ugly or fat or whatever, because everybody is beautiful in his/her own way. Watch this video and read this post and share it with everyone, please.
FASHION ITEM TO WEAR - A red and white striped Ralph Lauren Long sleeve shirt. Simple, nothing special, but i really like the look of it and it's and easy through over and you look dressed. I could find the exact one i have, but in different colors (though i would want those colors too) here.
SONG TO HEAR - While listening to the Canada Top 50 on Spotify the song "Honey, I'm Good" from Andy Grammar came up. I heard it before somewhere and really liked it, but didn't knew the name and was therefore not able to find it. So i was pleased when it came up and i can't stop listening to it eversince. It has some kind of a different touch to it, i want to say it's country...but i don't think it is. I just can imagine people dancing country line dance on this, in western outfits.
NEW REALEASE TO BOOKMARK - The Tom Ford Nude Dip Eye Colour Quad looks so gorgeous...WANT! It was there before in August/September 2014 and is added to the permanent line in May so if you didn't get it before or if you feel in love with it just yet (like i did) than bookmark it in your calender.
26.4.15
Topics you will read about here from now on
There were quite a few changes with dots in gold this month and there will be a few more next month. I thought about what i want to do with my blog, where i want to go and what i want to blog about. There are a lot of topics i am interested in, but i couldn't decide which ones i want to write about the most. Some of the topics that i thought would work didn't and some i craved for writing about.
No worries, Beauty will always be the main theme of dots in gold, but the changes will affect the other sub themes i will write about in the future.
The second main theme on this blog will be Travel. There won't be a schedule how often i post about travel, but there will be a few posts here and there, when i have something to write about. I am definitely excited for that, because i love to travel and see the world and i also love to read blopgposts about what to do there, what to eat and also tips on where to stay etc..
Fitness and Books won't be included at all or if than just because i really want to share something with you, so there won't be a monthly fitness post or the read books category (i only did one post anyway haha) anymore.
Fashion bibs and bobs will be included at some point, not sure when though, but it won't be a big focus. There probably won't be any Outfit posts, rather the lifestyle like posts (Hauls, seasonal wardrobe staples, etc.). So stay tuned for that.
Another theme that won't be a major one, but a regular one will be Food. I love Food (especially baking) and i love to make it. Baking recipes, Vegetarian dishes and some healthy food ideas will be featured here and there.
I hope you are as excited about the changes and are not to sad that the Fitness and Book category will be more or less gone from dots in gold.
If you have any post recommandations let me know please!
12.4.15
From the idea to the perfect Blogphoto
Sometimes it takes a long sometimes a short time until a blogphoto is how i want it to be. There are a few staple steps involved that help me get the perfect blogphoto and i thought i might share them with you. This is the routine i go through with every blogphoto i take. Sometimes i'm done in 5 minutes, sometimes it takes 20 minutes so take your time to figure everything out until you are satisfied.
STEP ONE | INSPIRATION & PLANNING
Sometimes i have a immediate idea how i want the layout, background and lightning to be and then i skip this step. Most of the time i don't. So while scrolling through Instagram or blogs i take a screenshot or save every picture i like the layout, background, composition or lightning of and save it in a file named "Photo inspiration". If i'm totally uninspired how to take my photo i look through the file and hopefully find one composition that fits. Same thing happens, when i read magazines. I put a post-it on the sites i think could be a nice background or prop for a photo. In times i need a background or a magazine as a prop i just look through my post-its instead of the whole magazine.
Once i found the background, lightning, composition i want to use i move on to the next step.
STEP TWO | PRODUCTS & PROPS
This is probably the most important step, because dots in gold is a beauty blog and what would it be without the products? Sometimes i use all the products i mention in a post, sometimes i don't. It depends on the category of the post and if it's necessary to include all products or if a few are enough. For the example picture in this post, i included all the mentioned products.
Next are props. If i decided to skip props, i leave this part out. But if i decided to use some i collect a few that could work and put them in a pile next to the products.
STEP THREE | LAYOUT & COMPOSITION
Now that i have all the products i want to include and all the props that i might use. And i know on which background the things will lay and i have a basic idea of my layout i go ahead and put everything together. If i shoot a bunch-of-products-photo i place the products on my background and arrange them randomly. Then i take a few pictures, zoomed in and out. After i looked at them i see if i like the arrangment of the products and props or if i have to change something. If i'm not satisfied with the placements i change it until i am satisfied. This step can take a few minutes, if i get it right quickly or can take 20 minutes if i have to change it over and over again.
Sometimes it helps to change the angle.
Or to add or take away props.
Some pictures are nice with a big shadow (like the one above) and on some pictures the shadow is too bothering (like in the one below).
STEP FOUR | EDITING
I try to shoot the pictures as perfect as possible so i don't have to edit a lot. But what i do most of the time is make the picture lighter and sometimes i crop it.
And that is the finished blogphoto i would put into a post (and will soon).
Do you have any tips on taking blogphotos or photos in general?
Do you have any tips on taking blogphotos or photos in general?
30.3.15
Quick Workouts
Not always motivated to do a half hour workout? Or you just don't have the time today, but you still want to workout? I will show you 10 Workout Videos that only take 5-10 minutes and you can target any area you want. But don't be fooled, they're quick but still super effective (be prepared to feel your muscles burn). All the workouts i do from YouTube are from Cassey, she is just a babe and motivates you amazingly throughout the video. There are a ton of different workouts on Casseys channel and i want to do all of them one after one (i'm not even halfway through...). But those ten following workout routines are my favorite ones.
STRONG SLIM ARMS
SIX PACK ABS
MAKE THOSE THIGHS BURN
FOR A NICE LITTLE WAIST
TO GET THAT BOOTY INTO SHAPE
CARDIO OR HIIT WORKOUTS?
What are your favorite workouts right now?
27.3.15
Book or movie which one is better?
At the moment i am reading quite a lot of books that were adapted into movies currently. I read through them as quick as possible, so i can watch the movie afterwards. I told myself that i have to read the book before watching the movie, because otherwise i probably won't read the book at all.
50 SHADES OF GREY - E L JAMES
A book i did really like beside the crazy amount of sex scenes. I know that's the main focus of the book, but is it really necessary to have a sex scene every ten or fifteen pages? Whatever. I like the story the characters and the changes and struggels the characters are facing throughout the book, but seem to find each other everytime again. Besides the (for me) overload of sexscenes, the book is really good and one you should at least read once. (TMI It did reminded me here and there a lot of Twilight, which 50 Shades of Grey was originally a fanfiction of.)
The movie did disappoint me a bit though. The story itself is for someone who didn't read the book probably good and the movie itself too. But for me it left out a few things i would have put in or even changed scenes in a way, they didn't really achieved the crackling tension i was hoping for. Some scenes were shortend and it seemed they just wanted to put all the scenes in, but didn't really focused on the tension building that is a big part of the book. For example the elevator kiss scene was just so short and boom finished. They could have build the tension and longing feeling more so that you sit on the edge of your seat as a viewer, feeling the urge to see that kiss happening.
In this case i would recommend the book a bit over the movie, but both are really close to each other. Watch the movie first and then read the book (if you haven't already) to get more information, more of the back and forth of their relationship and to feel the crackling tension and the desire through the pages. If you're not at all into this whole S&M thing (not that i would be), you have to at least listen to the Soundtrack once. It's one of the best Soundtracks in the last few years i really really loved.
The movie did disappoint me a bit though. The story itself is for someone who didn't read the book probably good and the movie itself too. But for me it left out a few things i would have put in or even changed scenes in a way, they didn't really achieved the crackling tension i was hoping for. Some scenes were shortend and it seemed they just wanted to put all the scenes in, but didn't really focused on the tension building that is a big part of the book. For example the elevator kiss scene was just so short and boom finished. They could have build the tension and longing feeling more so that you sit on the edge of your seat as a viewer, feeling the urge to see that kiss happening.
In this case i would recommend the book a bit over the movie, but both are really close to each other. Watch the movie first and then read the book (if you haven't already) to get more information, more of the back and forth of their relationship and to feel the crackling tension and the desire through the pages. If you're not at all into this whole S&M thing (not that i would be), you have to at least listen to the Soundtrack once. It's one of the best Soundtracks in the last few years i really really loved.
WILD - CHERYL STRAYED
The book created a longing inside me to start hiking as Cheryl did. To experience the satisfaction of that finished hike. No worries i won't do it in the next few years, but who knows. It was quite a quick and easy read, i really enjoyed the story and the writing. It wasn't as spiritual as i thought, but still makes you think about things in your life and about your life in general in a subtle way.
The movie however couldn't seem to win me over. I had the feeling that the scenes weren't able to deliver how important those situations were for Cheryl and how they were connected to her past life. After reading the book, where it's 90 percent only thoughts of Cheryl (so you really get into her story and life), the movie wasn't able to deliver the same kind of feeling and connection.
I would definitely recommend reading the book over watching the movie in this case. The story and feelings are way better realized and delivered (how often did i wrote delivered yet?) in the book.
The movie however couldn't seem to win me over. I had the feeling that the scenes weren't able to deliver how important those situations were for Cheryl and how they were connected to her past life. After reading the book, where it's 90 percent only thoughts of Cheryl (so you really get into her story and life), the movie wasn't able to deliver the same kind of feeling and connection.
I would definitely recommend reading the book over watching the movie in this case. The story and feelings are way better realized and delivered (how often did i wrote delivered yet?) in the book.
THE BEST OF ME - NICHOLAS SPARKS
Another Nicholas Sparks novel and movie adaptation i loved. Is there a book this man doesn't nail right on the head? The books are more on the cheesy side of love stories, but they always have a twist i never see coming and that's what makes them stand out in the sea of romantic novels. The book can be quite boring at the beginning and here and there throughout the story. And to be honest i didn't liked the end at all, so it's good that there is a alternative ending for the movie.
The movie is like all Spark adaptations close to the book, but still interesting and the places where they shot were incredible beautiful. The book does give you more in depth information about the story, the background and the characters as always, but i liked the movie a bit more than the book.
The movie is like all Spark adaptations close to the book, but still interesting and the places where they shot were incredible beautiful. The book does give you more in depth information about the story, the background and the characters as always, but i liked the movie a bit more than the book.
IF I STAY - GAYLE FORMAN
The book seemed to be read in a short amount of time. Probably not more or less than any other book with the same amount of pages, but the fact that the whole book takes place in just one day created the feeling that i read it in a few hours. At the beginning there are quite a few descriptions i rather haven't read, but okay. The major amount of the book are memories or thoughts of Mia about her past life and how those memories influence her decision and her back and forth if she should stay or not and the consequences of her decisions. The book raised the question inside my head whether people in a trauma really decide if they want to stay or not.
The movie is just as good as the book, the story is delivered really good and it was able to keep up with my expectations. Although it seemed to not deliver the inner arguments and struggles as good as the book did, which is probably due to the format. But both book and movie are great and you shouldn't miss any of them. (A little TMI both book and movie left me heavily crying at some scenes.)
The second book "Where She Went" carries on with Mia's and Adam's relationship and is narrated by Adam instead of Mia. For people who loved "If I Stay" it's definitely worth a read.
The movie is just as good as the book, the story is delivered really good and it was able to keep up with my expectations. Although it seemed to not deliver the inner arguments and struggles as good as the book did, which is probably due to the format. But both book and movie are great and you shouldn't miss any of them. (A little TMI both book and movie left me heavily crying at some scenes.)
The second book "Where She Went" carries on with Mia's and Adam's relationship and is narrated by Adam instead of Mia. For people who loved "If I Stay" it's definitely worth a read.
GONE GIRL - GILLIAN FLYNN
I had this book for quite a while standing on my shelf, but i wasn't motivated to read it. I am normally not that into Thrillers and i was scared it would be to scary for reading it in the evening (and i'm only reading in the evening). Because i have a lot of unread books in my stash i set myself the goal to read all my unread books before i buy new ones. At first i couldn't get into the book, i found it hard to read a lot at once, because i just grew bored after a few pages. I set it aside and read other books and then came back to it and after page 150 around it just sucked me in. It was getting so interesting and twisted and unexpected. While reading i just didn't know anymore what to believe, who to like, who to dislike and what was really true. Amy is just an incredible genuis. I would never be able to pull that all off. Insane. It's not really scary, the language and descriptions are sometimes quite harsh, but it fits into the content and the characters of the book. A big thumbs up for this one.
The movie was regarding the scenes a bit different from the book (which works better for the movie) and i imagined all the people (except Amy) quite different looking than in the movie, but it still was a good one. And the part i found so boring and draging at the beginning of the book is more or less shorter and has a bit more drive to it.
If you don't want to read the book, the movie is definitely a very good alternative. For a bit deeper dive into the story, read the book afterwards. Whichever you do first, you won't be disappointed.
If you don't want to read the book, the movie is definitely a very good alternative. For a bit deeper dive into the story, read the book afterwards. Whichever you do first, you won't be disappointed.
Do you want to read more posts about books? And what did you think of the mentioned movies or/and books?
23.3.15
Versatile Blogger Award
This is very unreal...a second nomination for a Blog Award and i didn't even expected the first one ever to happen. This time it's again a big big THANK YOU to Manpreet from Simply M . Make sure to check out here awesome blog and the awesome facts she mentioned in her post.
For a bit more information about the Versatile Blogger Award and what i stands for go here.
#THE RULES
#1 Thank the person who gave you the award and include a link to their blog.
#2 Share seven facts about yourself.
#3 Nominate 15 other blogs and let them know you've nominated them.
#MY SEVEN FACTS
Ok, seven facts about me, which should be quite interesting and entertaining. I'm sorry if they're not, but i'll try my best.
#1 I'm obsessed with my hair, i can't stop myself from playing with it and brushing through it with my fingers. It's like chewing your nails, but my version of it. I don't even realize it anymore, that i do it and people keep telling me to stop (what i really should :D).
#2 I have a 2 1/2 years older brother and a 2 weeks younger stepsister and we always have dumbass ideas...
#3 When i finished my Gap year and return home to germany i want to study English&German, Acting or Fashiondesign. Not sure which of the three, but it also depends which university approves my application.
#4 I like to dance (in general) especially Ballet and i am doing horseback riding since i can think, because my mom owns a horse and i was sitting on it from the moment i could walk (or maybe even ealier, i don't know).
#5 I do like dogs, but i am more a cat person. (I am always joking with my friend, that i will end up old and alone with hundreds of cats...)
#6 My favorite food is Käsespätzle, which only the german people can pronounce (hehehe :D). But basically it's a type of noodle with melted cheese and onions mixed together and it's delicious. (Now i want to eat it...)
#7 I love books and i read a lot of books and i own a lot of books. Sometimes i even reread books again, sometimes even without a break. Read the book, finished with the book and instantly start to read from the beginning again.
#NOMINEES
All these girls and the boy (first ever boy i saw, that writes a blog, go man!) have really nice blogs with a lot of good ideas like Dog Safe Pancakes or an adorable header with donuts and beauty stuff.
Doneisha | Doneisha Dodd
Jenn | Makeup My Mind
Caitlin | Brains and Beauty
Amy | A Petite View
Amy | New Key Beauty
Nicole | Meet Me in Midtown
Emmy & Alex | Haul & Dupes
Brittany | Living in June
Anusha | ACT Style Blog
Chelsea | Chowing Down by the Bay
Danielle | Underland to Wonderland
Luke | Not your average Nerd
Laura | Loved by Laura
Olivia | OliviaCheryl
1.3.15
A little app that helps you staying hydrated
I am not a water drinker crazy person, who drinks five liters a day easily. At the moment i am sometimes at 3,5 Liters, which is a huge improvement from maybe one glass of water a day. At the beginning of this year i downloaded quite a few health and fitness related apps and this one is one of the few that stayed. I just needed a simple app that does the job without needing to spend more than a minute to log.
The Drink Water app is the app that fulfills my expectations. The app does calculate the amount of water you should drink a day based on your age and weight, but you can change the daily water intake goal (i changed it from 2,8 Liters to 3,5 Liters). To log your water intake you just press the drink water button on the bottom choose the amount you drank and that's it. It just can't get easier than this. On the top it says: "i have to drink today" and then the amount of water you still have to drink.
The apps functions are completly customisable, you can change your daily water intake goal, the unity (liters or oz), if the app should remind you and the interval if it does. There is even a calender option where you can see how much water you drank everyday.
I just love the app, because it's so easy to use, the design is nice and simple but functional. For me it's the best way to keep track of my water intake and to make sure i drink enough water throughout the day. I measured how much our water glasses take and now i am just adding 500ml after i finished one glass of water.
6.2.15
Liebster Award
This is my first ever nomination for a Blog Award and i am even surprised, that i am in this situation after only two month of blogging. It is amazing how many nice people you can meet (on the internet) just by putting yourself out there and communicate. Let me say that i love how it is so easy nowadays to get involved with all different kinds of people you normally wouldn't have met. So at this point i want to give a big thanks to Brittany and Manpreet for nominating me and to all the people who follow and read my blog, because of you i don't feel so alone here. THANK YOU! Because i was nominated by those two lovely ladies and i want to honor the time they put in to come up with their questions, i decided to answer not only 11 but 22 questions in this post. So be prepared, this will be a quite long one.
THE RULES
Every game has some rules...
1. Thank and link the person who nominated you.
2. Answer the questions given by the nominator.
3. Nominate 11 small blogs (under 200 followers) who you think deserve this award.
4. Create 11 new questions for the nominees to answer.
5. Notify nominees via social media/blogs.
1. Thank and link the person who nominated you.
2. Answer the questions given by the nominator.
3. Nominate 11 small blogs (under 200 followers) who you think deserve this award.
4. Create 11 new questions for the nominees to answer.
5. Notify nominees via social media/blogs.
QUESTIONS
MANPREET'S
1. What's your favorite part about blogging?
Getting to know all those amazing people and blogger, i otherwise wouldn't have met. And i always wanted to write/talk about what i love with people who like beauty (and food) as much as i do.
2. Who's someone you look up to? (blogging or in your life)
Blogging would be Amelia Liana because i think she is just such a nice bubbly person and i really love her blog and youtube channel.
In my life i would say it's Meryl Streep, i just love her work and i would love to have a career like her.
In my life i would say it's Meryl Streep, i just love her work and i would love to have a career like her.
3. What are you listening to right now?
Kansas City - The New Basement (obsessed with this song!)
4. What's the best blogging advice you've received?
Stop comparing yourself to others and try to be you because copying anyone else won't get you anywhere. At first i saw all those other really nice looking and successfull blogs and wanted my blog to be like that. The problem is that i just started blogging and am not able to have a blog, which looks like a 5 year old one. I am just trying to be me, to write posts i had the idea to write and just live with it.
5. What's one thing you've learned since you started blogging that you'd share as advice to a new blogger?
Just start and have fun with what you doing. Just roll. Blogging is supposed to be fun otherwise there is no sense of doing it.
6. Who is your current man/woman crush?
Woman crush definetly Nina Dobrev (since a few years now), i don't know i just love this girl. Her acting, her Personality (as far as i am able to know it), just love her.
My man crush would probably be Theo James, because he is just smocking hot. Do i have to say more?
7. What's one thing you can't live without right now?
My black studded Bershka boots, i fricking looove those shoes and i will probably where them to death.
8. Three words to describe your blog.
(my) brain in words.
9. What's one thing in your closet you couldn't live without?
Jeans. I am not that comfortable in skirts or dresses, so those are my go-to's everyday.
10. Biggest blogging pet peeve?
The on going competition feeling between bloggers. Yes, i am guilty of that too, but i discovered that you become a better blogger yourself after you stop comparing and competing with others. Another thing i didn't experienced yet (due to the fact that i'm only blogging for a few months) is the hate that comes from readers. I just can't understand how someone can spend their energy on something so negative and hurting to someone else.
11. Let's end with a simple question: what's your favorite color?!
Always was and always will be: Red.
BRITTANY'S
1. What's one thing you would never blog about?
I may be a little shy, when it comes to sharing really personal stuff. So anything that digs to deep into my personal life and i wouldn't want anyone to know about (except family and close friends), would probably stay out of my blog corner.
2. Would you tell someone about your blog on a first date?
Probably not. Not because i am embarassed or something, but because there are more important things to talk about. If i like somebody, i would tell him on some point, when it seems appropriate.
3. What's the story behind your blog name?
I am obsessed with gold the last few month (ok year...) and i wanted a "nice" name. If i would know what a nice name is though. So not that big of a story to tell here.
4. What song describes your life?
Au Revoir - Mark Foster (german song)
5. What character from what show would you want to be for a day?
Katherine Pierce from the Vampire Diaries. Just bad, kick-ass kinda girl. Who says what she thinks, although i wouldn't kill anyone. And i want her hair and her clothes...
6. What are looking forward to this weekend?
Maybe we are going to the ski hill and then i may be snowboarding for the first time. (Woop, woop) And i hope i won't break my leg. Fingers crossed.
7. Do you have a go to food when your sad? What is it?
Ice Cream...and chocolate.
8. If you could only choose one electronic to live the rest of your life with what would it be?
I think nothing would be a good thing though. But i think i would keep either my computer or my phone. Probably my phone, because then i can skype and talk to people i don't see that often (and i am totally lost without my bus driving schedule).
9. What's your favorite quote?
"Don't stress the could haves, if it should have, it would have."
10. Who would you choose to narrate your life?
I have no idea, but after what i heard. Amy Poehler is hilarious and that can't be bad while reading a rather boring life story. (:D)
11. Which question was your favorite?
The question about keeping one electronic thing, because in my opinion we spend to much time on our phones, tvs and computer, while we could do something with friends/family or something more productive. Says someone, who has a blog...
MY QUESTIONS
1. Why did you start blogging in the first place?
2. What's your favorite food?
3. Which topic/theme do you always wanted to blog about?
4. Most read book of all time?
5. Favorite social media platform?
6. Which place/city do you want to visit next?
7. Which place/city you already visited did you like most and why?
8. What did you always wanted to do, but never did?
9. How do you imagine your life in 5 years from now?
10. Favorite Disney movie/childhood movie?
11.Answer this question really honest: "How are you?".
NOMINEES
These are mainly followers of my blog and in this way i wanted to thank you for following my blog so i am not talking to myself here. Really Thank You (also to the non-blogger follower out there)! There are also a few german Bloggers (go germany!) included. It would be amazing if you would check out all the mentioned bloggers. And as you can see i wasn't able to nominate 11 bloggers, becuase i am not blogging for that long and i don't know that many bloggers yet. So anyone that wants to do this, just contact me and i can nominate you.
Melissa | The Hopeful Wayfarer
Aileen | The Beauty Wave
Magda | mehr sein
Anna | skullderr
MY QUESTIONS
1. Why did you start blogging in the first place?
2. What's your favorite food?
3. Which topic/theme do you always wanted to blog about?
4. Most read book of all time?
5. Favorite social media platform?
6. Which place/city do you want to visit next?
7. Which place/city you already visited did you like most and why?
8. What did you always wanted to do, but never did?
9. How do you imagine your life in 5 years from now?
10. Favorite Disney movie/childhood movie?
11.Answer this question really honest: "How are you?".
NOMINEES
These are mainly followers of my blog and in this way i wanted to thank you for following my blog so i am not talking to myself here. Really Thank You (also to the non-blogger follower out there)! There are also a few german Bloggers (go germany!) included. It would be amazing if you would check out all the mentioned bloggers. And as you can see i wasn't able to nominate 11 bloggers, becuase i am not blogging for that long and i don't know that many bloggers yet. So anyone that wants to do this, just contact me and i can nominate you.
Melissa | The Hopeful Wayfarer
Aileen | The Beauty Wave
Magda | mehr sein
Anna | skullderr
30.1.15
Stay motivated until you hit the finish line
As you may have already read in my 2015 New Years Resolutions i want to get more into the healthy and fit lifestyle. To keep me motivated (or better to force me) to work on my goals, i thought i will start this monthly series, where i talk about fitness or health related stuff i want to mention. So at the end of each month there will be a Fitness/ Health related post.
This month's will be about tips how to stick to your fitness and health resolutions. When the new year starts everybody is highly motivated and is sure that this time they will make it. But like with most things you loose the motivation, you let things get loose and stop sooner or later completely. I am not different (first weeks of January super motivated, now not that much anymore). So i will show you a few tips, that will motivate you again and will help you (and me) to stay that way.
KEEP TRACK
First things first if you want to accomplish something, you have to have a plan. So keeping track of what you do/did is a important step, because otherwise you will get confused. No matter what you want to change, if it's drinking more water, eating healthier or workout out more. KEEP TRACK of things! Count the glasses of water you drank, make a list of what you ate and analyze what you could do better next time or make a list, on which you can tick up the workouts you have done. For me (the list making monster) it is a satisfying feeling to tick of the day, if i did a workout. Moreover it makes your head less full of things you have to remember by writing those things down.
If you want to know what i use to track my progress, let me know.
STAY FOCUSSED ON YOUR GOAL
Always keep your goal in front of your eyes, whether it's a remember note on your mirror, the Instagram feed full of fit and healthy people or a jeans you want to fit in. It doesn't matter what it is as long as it reminds you everytime you see it, that you shouldn't give up. Sometimes I can forget my goal, when i look at a delicious cake or i am feeling to tired to workout.
BE REALISTIC
We all have plans and imaginations that are impossible to follow. If you just started workouting, you won't do five workouts a week. Your body will be sore and then you shouldn't workout again. So keep it real. If you are a beginner start with maybe three times a week to have a day or two space between workouts. Your body needs time to recover so keep that in mind. Otherwise you will loose your motivation very fast, due to the fact that you just won't be able to stick to your plans.
DON'T FORCE IT
If you are to tired, came home late or have a event you want to attend, then don't workout. You can do it another day and even you left out one workout of the week it won't kill you. You shouldn't leave it out to often, but when you aren't able to motivate yourself or simply can't fit it into your day, than that's ok. You are not an athletic or training for some kind of competition. You have to be happy with it.
HAVE FUN!
Try to find sports you like something you enjoy doing. If you have to force yourself through it (sometimes that's okay though), it's not worth it. If the treadmill isn't your thing, try something different. Maybe you are more the group sport kind of person, than you should do that. You have to find a kind of sport you have fun doing. Sometimes it is necessary to go out of comfort zone and do something you don't enjoy that much, but if you do that all the time you will loose your motivation.
Another tip i read about is starting a workout journal, where you note down how you feel after you completed your workout. So if you feel unmotivated to workout read through your journal and remind yourself that you will feel good afterwards.
Do you have any methods or tips you use to maintain your motivation?
19.1.15
Top 5 Instagrammers you should check out
Instagram has become a serious addiction of mine. I love the way of communicating through Photos and you can edit the photos with filters and a lot of other feautures. I mean you all know how instagram works right? (You can follow me at @laramariadoe ). I am following a whole lot of people, but i was able to narrow it down to my top 5. Ok, let's get started.
She does stunning outits and the best flatlays i have ever seen. I am so in love with her style. And all the cute, pinky pictures she takes from her shop are so gorgeous to look at and make me want to buy everything in gold and pink.
This is a Fitness instagram account and shonda shares super delicious looking and healthy recipes. Plus the best things are her short workout videos for every part of your body. So if you are not sure which workout to do today, go check out her account and you will definetly find one you like.
Another british Youtuber/Beauty Blogger i loove. I love her Night Out Outfits, she is posting here and there. And her hair is am.a.zing! I am going way overboard with fangirling right now, but we will just pretend i didn't. A bonus is that her dog Duke is so cute! (By the way he has an Instagram Account too, if you are interested).
@mimiikonn
Mimi is another Youtuber, but she is more focused on hairstyle tutorials and fashion videos (here hair is stunning!). She posts a lot of outfit of the day pictures and i love her style. You will be able to find a lot of her outfits on my Pinterest fashion board. Her pictures from all the places she is traveling to are making me want to go there too.
@findinghappinessquotes
I like to see a motivating and inspirationell photo here and there, when i scroll through my instagram feed. Just to light up the everyday grey and start to see the good again. So this side ads my daily dose motivational and inspirational quotes to my insta feed. (Most of the time i make a screenshot and will regram the quote at some point, ups).
For the german peeps here, i really like @considerlena and @considerleonie from considercologne and @kindofrosy as well.
9.1.15
Books, books and more books
When i first thought about this category i wanted to do it monthly and write about all the books i read in this month. Sometimes it doesn't work out the way you thought. This kind of posts will come up round about every two month and i will only talk about my top five books i read in this time. So i don't have to read like crazy (what i still do) and you don't get overwhelmed with a ton of book recommandations. (I did the short descriptions on my own, but you can go and check out the official description too if you like). Let's get started.
CITY OF BONES - CASSANDRA CLARE ( here )
I am late on this one like i am late on everything (haha). I really liked the film although everybody, who read the books first. didn't. After watching the film for the third time i decided i wanted to read the book. I really like the world and the setting of the book, because it is well thought through and darker, sexier and more evil than other books from this genre. I think the book is better than the film (the film is still good though), because you get a whole lot more of information about the world, the story and the background.
"It is about a "normal" girl named Clary, who has to deal with normal world and normal girl problems. One time she goes to a club with her best friend Simon and follows a strange boy into the backroom. But the boy isn't alone, there are three young people in there with him, who kill this boy. One of them, Jace, tells her about strange things, that the boy is a demon and they will send him back into his dimension. When Simon appears to look, what happend to Clary, he doesn't seem to see the three people in the room and Clary starts to question herself. She refuses to believe, that what Jace told her is true, but then her mother disappears after she got attacked and a strange animal thing tries to kill Clary. By trying to find her mother Clary gets sucked into a world full of demons, shadowhunters and dark creatures, she didn't know existed. She finds out, that nothing is as she thought it was."
THE SELECTION SERIES - KIERA CASS ( here )
A book about Princesses for my inner princess (putting on my imaginary crown). I wanted to read this for a long time and i finally picked it up. By the way this is the first english book i read without being forced and it got me into the english reading (it's not so hard as i expected it to be). The book is maybe a little bit tacky in a too romantic, cliché kind of way, but i still like it. At first it was hard to get into the world, because there was no explanation of the system etc of the world, but after a few pages i got it. Surprinsingly this is a series where i like every book of the three and not only the first.
"Prince Maxon of Illea will chose a women, the future queen, in his Selection. The Selection will be formed by 35 girls picked randomly out of the applications from the whole country. America's mother wants her so bad to participate in the competition, but America does not want to marry the prince or be queen one day. Her secret love and friend Aspen wants her to at least send in her application, becuase both of them never believed she, America Singer, could be picked. But she did. America has to participate in a competition the never want to be in, with her heart set for someone else and a prince, she isn't interested in. But as always things are different than expected and America gets torn between her feelings."
"Prince Maxon of Illea will chose a women, the future queen, in his Selection. The Selection will be formed by 35 girls picked randomly out of the applications from the whole country. America's mother wants her so bad to participate in the competition, but America does not want to marry the prince or be queen one day. Her secret love and friend Aspen wants her to at least send in her application, becuase both of them never believed she, America Singer, could be picked. But she did. America has to participate in a competition the never want to be in, with her heart set for someone else and a prince, she isn't interested in. But as always things are different than expected and America gets torn between her feelings."
SHATTERED SERIES - TAHEREH MAFI (here )
I randomly picked this book up, because i liked the background text and i wanted to read ne dystopian novels. This is a more fanatsy like, with magical powers and of course a love story. And in the end a lot of war. One thing that made the book stand out from others was the way the author wrote. She has a very unique kind of writing i never saw/read before and i loved it. Again i don't really like the end of the series, because i would like the book to end different, but whatever. I still really like the idea of the series. Out of the three the first book is my favorite.
"Juliette is locked away in a dark room with only one window and noone to speak to for years. She is a monster. She can kill someone with her bare skin and everyone who touches her skin will suffer incredible pain. But everything changes, when a boy gets thrown into her prison. Why did they do this? Juliette has to face the fact, that she can't hide from this boy forever. And to survive at this dark place they have to work together. But the boy isn't who he pretends to be, he frees Juliette from the prison and her whole life and view of the world is about to change. And the boy, Adam, is able to touch her without getting hurt. This is the first opportunity for her to love without being scared."
DELIRIUM TRILOGY - LAUREN OLIVER (here)
Another Trilogy where i like the world and the basic idea of the book. This was a recommendation at my local bookstore and i don't regret buying it. This is another series where i liked every book and the story didn't lost it's way or it's drive after the first book. This is again dystopian and of course with a love story (which is a love story i really liked though).
"Amor deliria nervosa is a disease that nearly killed the entire human kind. Now "love" is declared as a dangerous disease and everyone over eighteen will be healed, so they will never be able to fall in love anymore. Lena believes in this and can't wait to live her life after the operation. Her best friend Hana does not want to be healed and drags Lena into the dangerous and adventorous world of the rebelious young people. But Lena isn't convinced until she meets Alex and doubts if love is really so dangerous."
FOUR - A DIVERGENT COLLECTION - VERONICA ROTH (here)
For the record i am obsessed with the Divergent Trilogy ( i read the whole series probably three times in a row) and the film and with Four (i mean just...yummy!). And i really like to get the other point of view from the two main characters (for example in Twilight or in the shattered series). It is refreshing and interesting to read the story from the other point of view and you know things you otherwise wouldn't. Futhermore the story of Four on it's own is worth a book, so i am happy there is one about it. Most of the time i was reading the matching passages in both books at the same time to have both point of views (yes, that's weird.)
"This book includes 4 short stories. Three about Fours life before he meets Tris. What is going on in his head, when he is in te situation to decide about his future life and decides to go to Dauntless? How does he experience the time as an initiator and what happens in this time? His life after completing the initiation and his struggle to claim his place in Dauntless. And finally how Four experience his meetings with Tris and what is going on behind his head."
What are your favorite books or which ones did you read this month?
"This book includes 4 short stories. Three about Fours life before he meets Tris. What is going on in his head, when he is in te situation to decide about his future life and decides to go to Dauntless? How does he experience the time as an initiator and what happens in this time? His life after completing the initiation and his struggle to claim his place in Dauntless. And finally how Four experience his meetings with Tris and what is going on behind his head."
What are your favorite books or which ones did you read this month?