Happy Birthday To Me: A Celebration of Katie

Yesterday I celebrated my 23rd birthday. It's hard to believe that I've already had 23 years on this planet. At 12:05am on the 17th August I text my Mum on the way to bed to remind her that 23 years ago at said time I was 'wriggling about in her womb.' As you can tell the excitement of my birthday hit pretty early on in the day. So I thought today I would show you a cuter time in my life, a time when birthdays were super duper exciting. (secretly for me they still are.) It's a strange to think that I went from this...

we still use that washing basket

my early outfit of the day posts

to this....

I love my birthday so much. We only spent about £3.50 and spent all day outside which is a plus in my opinion. We gained many lovely memories and many not so lovely memories (eg. adders.) But through all the excitement of my birthday we cannot forget that this time last year Michael and I got engaged. On Wednesday 17th August we celebrated one year of engagement and 3 months of marriage. I love Michael more now that I ever thought possible and I can only imagine that this love with continue to grow. 

I'm now off to sit back and enjoy a cup of tea and worry about Big Brother. 

Speak Soon,

Katie 

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Birthday Wish List: Beauty Style

Last but not least my beauty birthday wish list! How fun. I love beauty so what could be better than lusting over pretty items of make-up (well except lusting over books.) These are the items I wish I could get... not that I've asked for any of these items this year. I guess I'm just hoping that people can read my mind...

Channel Chance (I'm nearly out *sad face*) / Benefit Confessions of a Concealaholic  / Channel Vitalumiere Aqua / No7 Lash Adapt / Models Own Top Turquoise / Models Own Bloo Boo / Urban Decay eyeshadow in Sin

And there we have it, the last instalment of my Birthday wish list. I hope you have enjoyed a peek into my shallow side. Tomorrow we'll find out what I actually get. I cannot wait. I'm not expecting anything lavish this year and we all have fallen on rather tough times, but for me it's definitely the thought that counts, and my friends and family are the most thoughtful people around. 

Speak Soon, 

Katie 

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Birthday Wish List: Geek Style

A wish list would not be complete without my much desired 'geek items.' As you all should know, I'm a geek at heart. I love my games and gadgets, my books and dvds, and of course my beloved dslr. Most of the items on my wish list I will never own, like the ipad (sad face) but I can always live in hope...

ipad 2 / books - Matched / I heart Hollywood / Forever / One Day (and many more) / Ray-Bans / Nikon 50mm lens / Medium / Being Erica / L.A. Noire / Giraffe iphone case 

I'm so in love with all these items, especially the iphone cover, it's so cute. My favourite animal has to be the giraffe, they also hold a place in both Michael and I's heart.

Speak Soon, 

Katie

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Birthday Wish List

So with the birthday fast approaching (two days... eeek!) I thought I'd do a few 'birthday wish list' posts. Of course when you think of a birthday 'wish' list you think of all those unobtainable items that you really really want, but really really cannot afford, so here we go...

dress / shorts / top / belt / earrings / necklace 

No surprise there then that there are a few topshop and accessorize items lurking in my wish list. Well a girl can dream...

Speak Soon,

Katie 

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What I Wore

My first day off of EIGHT! How exciting! I love weeks off from work. No matter how much I love my job, and I really do, a week off is always necessary, and a lovely treat. So to kick start the week we headed off to a local craft fair. It was nice to just wander around and I hoped to gain a little inspiration, unfortunately the majority of stalls sold homemade cards and the few that did have felt items we're all very similar. I did see some button bags which I fell in love with but resisted because I knew that I would never use it.  And here's what I wore:

Top - Primark

Cardigan - Primark 

Skirt - H&M

Shoes - Matalan

Book - True Blood Dead and Gone

Speak Soon,

Katie 

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A Letter of Recognition

Dear McDonalds, 

For all those times that you've made my order wrong, or for those times when your ice cream machine is not working, or even for those times when you make me park in bay one only to find out that bay one has already been taken, and you force me to panic about whether or not my food will make it to me or to the individual already taking my spot. Though all our bad times you have finally changed my opinion. Presenting the new 'Time Out' McFlurry. Who knew that McDonald's could be so accommodating? 

Now calm down McDonalds' big wigs, you didn't miss the bulletin, I presented the Time-Out McFlurry not you. Nom Nom. Here we have a plain McFlurry with toffee sauce, and we added the Time-Out pieces. Best McFlurry yet if I do say so myself. I'm just very impressed that you made our McFlurry without any questions asked. Congratulations go out to your customer service skills. (Just this once.) 

Yours Faithfully, 

Katie 

He was a Skater Boy

I married a Skater Boy. He started skating long before I even knew him, but has not really touched his board for years until this week when he turned around and said, "I really want to start skating again." Which then turned into,

Katie, " I don't want this Coffee table anymore"

Mike, "Can I grind on it?" (Think skateboards people!)

Katie, "Will you move the old TV stand into the garage please?"

Mike, "Can I grind on it?" (Clean minds please.)

So there we have it. Welcome to my life. As long as he stays in one piece I'm happy as long as he's happy. 

Speak Soon,

Katie 

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Sketch This

I've been after some artwork for my new craft room for quite a while now. My craft room is still in the process of changing from just a room to something more specific but I still needed something to define it as a creative space. Though I adore personal art, little sketches created by fantastic smaller artists I just cannot afford to spend any pennies at the moment. Oh the joys of being poor. So I though I would give sketching a little go. Now I'm not an artist, and these are still in the rough sketch stages but I am rather proud of my work. I cannot wait to frame this and hang it on our wall. (Obviously I slimmed myself down a bit. haha) 

It then led to more little sketches, which then led to personalised thank you cards for our wedding guests. Oh my, but you got married 2 months ago! Yes I know it's a little late, but that just how it goes with me. Our guest only got their invites in the week leading up to the big day so it's no surprise that the thank you cards are a little late.

I'm planning on creating the cards with a picture of the specific guest from our wedding day with these personalised drawings inside. Obviously the sketch will match the chosen pictures (otherwise how would they know it was of them?) I hope that they like them.

I wish that there was more time in the day for my hundreds of plans and ideas.

Speak Soon, 

Katie 

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July Reads + Mini Reviews

I'm settling in to a lovely evening of blogging and what better way to start that with my monthly reads. I've had a pretty good month book wise and have devoured 5 books, a few of which have quickly become favourites. I'm now 22 books into my yearly challenge and 10 books into my 30 book challenge. I cannot believe that since setting this challenge midway through June I'm already a third of the way through. I cannot wait to buy a new book, my wish list is seriously growing. Anyway let's get cracking,

July

The Immortals Series Book 2 Blue Moon - Alyson Noel 

The Single Girl's To-Do List - Lindsey Kelk 

Crazy in Love - Chrissie Manby

Operation Sunshine - Jenny Colgan

The Wedding Girl - Madeleine Wickham

I mentioned the first book in this series, Evermore, last month which held a great place on my bookshelf and here we have the next book. I absolutely loved this. I must have whizzed through this one so quickly because I was hooked on Alyson Noel's every word. In this book we  have the opportunity to explore Summerland in greater depth, and the imagery created here is fantastic. A new character is also introduced who is interesting to say the least. I don't want to go into to much detail here because I wouldn't want to spoil the story for anyone, but what I will say is that I loved it. I cannot wait to pick up the next few books in the series and luckily there are four more... so far. I would recommend this book to anyone. I really am a sucker for teenage fiction which I know is not to everyone's taste, but if it is to yours then I'm sure that you will enjoy this one. 

 ♥  ♥  ♥ 

I picked this up a few months ago with high hopes of a fantastic read. After reading I heart New York and falling in love with Lindsey Kelk's writing style I predicted that this would be on par. Unfortunately I cannot say that this was love at first read. I did enjoy the story, but I did not fall in love with the characters and I wasn't really hooked from the first page as I am with all my favourite reads. Saying that I wouldn't give it a miss. I know that there are people out there that will love this book and rate it higher that any other but for me this makes it into the donate pile. 

The Single Girl's To-Do List is about Rachel who is dumped by her long time partner. Over a few too many drinks Rachel and her two best friends compile the list, which involves many adventures to get over her ex and to enjoy the single life. The challenges involve the typical 'make-over' (which Lindsey seems to be a huge fan of) bungie jump, travelling, and many more, all over the space of two weeks. A tough amount to get through in such a short space of time but it is fiction at the end of the day. 

Overall a good summer read but not Lindsey Kelk's best work. 

 ♥  ♥  ♥ 

I absolutely loved this book and finished it within a couple of days. I remember receiving this free with a magazine at least a year ago and adding it to my bookcase. It then didn't see the light of day for months until I needed a book to photograph my new bookmarks. From then on it has been staring at me begging to be read. I must say that I'm glad that I finally pick it up.

Crazy in Love is about Birdie Sederburg who is the heiress to the Sederburg Golf Resorts fortune. She has everything that money could buy, but the one thing she is missing is a boyfriend (and manners it seems.) This is until one day when she crashes into her future boyfriend's car and falls 'madly' in love. From this moment on you can enjoy the story unfold as she faces many challenges to keep him by her side. 

I really love this book but I can see how many wouldn't. Birdie is your typical rich 'brat.' She has more money than sense and also believes that money can buy you anything. To some this would seem too much, but for me that was part of the charm. It was different to anything I've ever read, and though parts were predictable, it was as predictable as others I've read which deserves a huge thumbs up! I now cannot wait to read more from Chrissie Manby. 

 ♥  ♥  ♥ 

Another free book, also from a magazine last year. At first this book was a little slow. I started this on the way to Manchester Airport so I had a good few hours to kill. (Nope I wasn't off on holiday. Shame I know.) It took a while to get into but midway through I'd gotten there and couldn't stop reading. Operation Sunshine is your typical holiday read with an easy, light hearted tone and once I'd forced through the tough beginning I really did enjoy it. Don't get me wrong it's not the best book I've ever read and I wouldn't rave about it to anyone and everyone, but I don't regret reading it. 

Operation Sunshine is about a receptionist in Harley Street who has never had a real holiday, or at least one that she has enjoyed. Desperate for some sun, sea and sand, but with no-one willing to go with her she strikes luck when she is asked to administer an event in the South of France. Obviously what follows is not quite what she expects, though she does get a bit of romance. Well why not? 

Anyway not bad for a free book, and something a little fun to pass those afternoon breaks at work, or very long journeys to and from the airport. 

 ♥  ♥  ♥ 

The second Medeleine Wickham book I've read and I must say that I really enjoy her writing. The story itself seems a little far fetched but what unfolds as you get deeper into the plot is well worth it.  This book made me laugh, cry, gasp and smile. I loved it. I read this within 24 hours because I just couldn't put it down. Every opportunity I had I picked it up to read just a few more pages. 

The Wedding Girl is about Milly who is only a few days away from marrying the man of her dreams but she has a secret... she's already married! The far fetched part comes from the fact that she agreed to marry someone else knowing full well that she was already married. But if you can get past that you are in for a very good read. Once I finished this book it had raised so many topics which kept spinning round and round in my mind that I couldn't stop talking about it for days. Though the main story is about Milly it's Rupert's that warmed my heart. The wedding Girl is a book that is definitely worth your time. 

 ♥  ♥  ♥ 

So that's it for this month. I have no idea what books are up for the month of August because I just grab whatever tickles my fancy on that given day, but be sure to expect August reads next month. Overall 'Crazy in Love' and 'The Wedding Girl' have now been added to my favourite books but there's plenty of room left over for many, many more. 

Happy Reading.

Speak Soon,

Katie 

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Update Time...

It's been two weeks since I last graced my presence on this blog. Firstly I'd like to welcome all my new readers and secondly I'd like to thank all everyone for sticking with me over the past few weeks. It's odd how taking a little time away from something you love can leave you with the complete inability to write a simple blog post. My head has been full of ideas for blog posts, little DIY challenges, and plenty of shop ideas, but the longer I left my blog the harder it felt to get my words out. All I can say is strange. 

I had wanted to start a 23 things before 23 and give you one fact about me everyday until I turn 23, but seen as it's already August the 1st, I guess I'm a little behind. I turn 23 on the 17th. I guess it's not too late to give up entirely I'll just have to squeeze in a few extra blog posts. Shame. haha.

So what have I been up to in these two long super quick weeks? 

♥ Working

♥ Sleeping 

♥ Re-organising our home

♥ Coursework 

♥ Reading

♥ Sleeping 

♥ Working

♥ Reading 

♥ Sleeping 

♥ Working

♥ Reading
♥ Oh and dressing Mike up in bunting...

♥ and waiting very patiently for my meerkat that has been travelling all over the world, silly Postkat.

My Dad came home last week for a full week which was nice so I spent as much time as I could with him. It funny how you forget certain things about a person while they're away but as soon as they come back the memories all come flooding back. It must be some sort of coping process, which I thank my brain for. 

Hopefully this little update post will have gotten me into the swing of writing again so I'm sure I'll be back in full force from now on. Oh how I love August! I couldn't not post in my favourite month! 

Speak Soon,

Your friend,

Katie 

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