KatieWrites: A Book Review - Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes

Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes

I bought this book probably about a year ago now, but never got around to reading it, but what I can say is that it was well worth the wait. I finished it about a week ago now and I must say that I loved it. I laughed out loud, gasped in shock, and cried real tears while reading this wonderful book. 

Now it's safe to say that I'm a fan of Marian Keyes. She is a fantastic writer, who can capture such detail and wonder from each and every book she writes, no matter what the topic. It's pretty much a guarantee that if I buy one of her books I will love it. Though I say this, this is only the third book I've read by her, my favourite still being The Charming Man, which I recommend, I just love how everything falls together in the end, with outcomes that I never expected. 

Now on to Rachel's Holiday

Blurb: Meet Rachel Walsh. She has a pair of size 8 feet and such a fondness for recreational drugs that her family has forked out the cash for a spell in Cloisters - Dublin's answer to the Betty Ford Clinic. She's only agreed to her incarceration because she's heard that rehab is wall-to-wall jacuzzis, gymnastics and rock stars going tepid turkey - and it's about time she had a holiday. 

But what Rachel doesn't count on are the toe-curling embarrassment heaped on her by family and group therapy, the dearth of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll - and missing Luke, her ex. What kind of a new start in life is this? 

I was hooked right from the start after reading this and intrigued to find out more about Rachel's story. Now I don't want to give too much away about the story, as it's too great not to find out on you're own. Rachel faces so many challenges which you face along with her. Everything Rachel believes, you believe. Everything Rachel does or doesn't do, you do too. It's safe to say that you will have a soft spot for Rachel from the word go. She may or not be a drug addict, that's for you to find out, but no matter what this girl goes through, and no matter how badly she treats other people you never once stop liking her. And I personally think that a much loved main character in a book, is a winner in my eyes. 

You also meet Luke early on, who I equally love. You see Luke in so many different lights throughout this story, but deep down you know he's a got to be a good guy. 

Never judge a book by it's cover? 

Now I hate to judge a book by it's cover, so I originally didn't want to type this, but why the hell not? How else would you pick a good book? Because there have been times where I have been tempted by the front cover, only to read the synopsis and think the story seems slightly bland. Good job I buy these books based upon the front cover because they normally turn out to be a great book. This one is the complete opposite. If I was to look at this book without knowing anything about the writer, I could honestly say I would have walked straight past it. The front cover is awful. The colours are dull and boring, with very little artistic eye candy. And I don't understand the picture of the bowl of cherries. If this is some sort of metaphor I missed then I would love to know. There are other cover versions of this book which look fantastic and very appealing to the shallow minded like myself, which would have drawn me in and set this book apart from the rest on a busy book shelf, so I'm not sure why this version was even created. But to be honest if that's the only bad point about this book, then it's blooming good going for Marian Keyes. 

Would you re-read it?

Now I don't re-read books, as unfortunately my memory triggers every single plot line in a story by just reading the first page, but if I did, I would read this over an over again. 

Would you recommend this book?

Yes, without a doubt. Overall this book gets a double thumbs up from me. I love the writers style and I find that it's clear to see that she puts a huge amount of research into a book before she puts her thoughts down on paper. I also find that I don't skim through any of her books. It's like I never want them to end. It must take me a least a week longer to read one of Marian Keyes Books than any other of a similar size, as I treasure each and every page. Whereas most people would enjoy a book so much that they would read the whole thing within one day, I connect with the characters on such a level that I don't ever want them to leave.

The next book I'm reading is Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, which I have already started, and I'm actually really enjoying it. The cover had drawn me in for quite some time, and so far I'm very glad that I picked it up. And of course it's another book from the young adult section no surprise there then. 

Katie 

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Homemade: Wedding Mobile/Signs

Oh look another wedding post. Though it is to be expected with our wedding less than 2 weeks away, so bare with me, and get excited that these posts are almost over, or get increasingly more excited as 14th May gets closer. 

Another creation with the salt dough. I'm really enjoying using salt dough. So far all my creations are pretty basic, but I'm planning on making some miniature and more intricate designs soon. My most recent designs are these mobile/signs. I'm not really sure what to call them yet. Any ideas? I've still got a friendship one left to make, and maybe more if I think of any. 

Katie

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My Everyday Favourites

I love reading and watching Monthly Favourite post. In fact it could be one of my favourite posts to read. How shallow of me?! I love seeing new products but I most of all I love reading how someone loves a product that I also love. 

I use to be obsessed with buying new make-up and skincare products. Every payday I would have to pick up something new to try. I guess you could say I was a slight shopaholic. Suddenly all this changed. 

♥ I found make-up and skincare products I liked. 

♥ I got fed up with trying new products that ultimately broke me out. 

♥ And finally I was skint. 

Don't get me wrong I still love trying out new products but I have to have heard and read many reviews before I spend my/our hard earned cash on something new and unfamiliar. You also need to know that I have very temperamental skin, some of the most gentle products can break me out, where as some of the harshest products are perfect for me. Weird huh? 

For example I can't go anywhere near Aloe Vera and I have to be careful with Tea Tree. The two most trusted and widely used skincare ingredients out there. Stupid Katie skin.

So instead of a monthly favourite post, I thought I'd do an every day favourite post, and these products rarely change. 

First up: 

Skincare

I've mentioned previously that I'm a fan of Garnier products. Well when I say that I mean I'm a fan of these Garnier products, I've tried others but I just cannot get to grips with them. 

1. Garnier Fresh Essentials Eye Make-Up Remover - it's says on the bottle that this is new, which confuses me as I've used it for years, but maybe they've just slightly changed the formulation. 

2. Garnier Pore Purifying Toner - I've love this item. It really gives my skin that super clean feeling, and it removes every trace of make-up including Estee Lauder Double Wear, which is a task and a half. Plus it doesn't break me out. 

3. Johnson's Face Care, Oil Balancing Light Daily Fluid - I love this. This is now my second tube, which must mean it's good as I rarely repurchase a moisturiser. I have oily skin so I hate that greasy feeling some creams leave me with. Well this is perfect. It moisturises well, absorbs quickly, leaves my skin feeling silky smooth and is the perfect base for my foundation. 

Make-Up

Face

1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Shell - I was recommended this by a college at work who's skin always looks perfect. It took me a while to finally take the plunge and buy it, but with my upcoming wedding I thought it was a perfect opportunity. I was meant to only test it out before the big day but I just can't stop using it now. It really does last all day, it really is tear and water resistant, it really is amazing coverage, and it really is expensive. haha. It is worth the price tag, but I think they should invest in adding a pump as it can be tricky to get out the right amount on those sleepy mornings. 

2. Mac Mineralised Skin Finish Natural in Light/Medium - I'd read so many reviews on this before I actually went out and bought it, and I'm so glad that I now finally own it. It's a fantastic product, and definitely finishes the face very well. I would say it's slightly too heavy for me to apply on my upper lip just under my nose, where I would normally apply my powder (I have a slightly sexy sweaty upper lip at times) so I don't use it there, but my foundation seems to work perfectly here. 

3. Mac Studio Finish Concealer in NW20 - I'm normally a Cool Skin Tone but I picked up the NW to counteract my dark purplish circles, and I must say I love it. It's covers spots perfectly and works wonders under my eyes, though slightly think in texture at times as long as I warm it up first it glides effortlessly. 

Cheeks

1. MaxFactor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Pink - I received this tester as part of a free gift offered by MaxFactor when you buy 3 or more of their products in boots, and I feel in love. I wear it almost every day. It's so easy to work with, blends effortlessly, and comes in the perfect colour for me. 

2. No7 Natural Blush Cheek Colour in Coral Flush - I bought this blusher a long time ago using one of my £5 No7 vouchers, and kept coming back to it. Now I use it every day. I either use it on its own for a more subtle look, or I use it to set the MaxFactor Cream Blush. Both ways I love it. The colour is perfect for my pale skin, and it's vert build-able. I've probably had this over year now, in fact I know I have, and I'm still nowhere near finished with it. This blusher lasts forever. I find that I have sensitive skin issues with a lot of No7  liquid or moose products, but their powdered products of perfect for me. 

Eyes 

1. Urban Decay Primer Potion - This product really needs no introduction. I love it. It's my second tube, and with using it every day, it lasts forever. I know people have had issues with the packaging, and i must admit that it is a rather poor design, but the product inside more than makes up for it. Plus I've heard that Urban Decay have already changed the packaging to be more user friendly, so I cannot wait for it's release. (because I'll buy all the old packaging at sale price hopefully)

2. Mac Eyeshadow in Brule - I bought this palette for my Wedding Day so I had all the shadows I needed in a handy little container, but cannot stop using Brule, (the top left colour.) It is the most perfect matte colour. I've never really been a fan of matte eyeshadows but this one has most definitely changed my opinion. Normally I use the as a crease colour for a subtle everyday look, or as an all over colour for a slightly (and I mean slightly) darker look. 

3. No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Mink - I'm constantly raving about this eyeshadow colour. I love it. I must say that No7 eyeshadows seem really pigmented when swatched but they really do need a good base for the colour to stand out on the eye. I love this colour. It's slightly shimmery and a perfect pale colour. I use it for an all over eyelid colour. This is the third one I've gone though, believe it or not, I love it that much. I also have a back up just incase I run out before the No7 Vouchers come back. 

4. Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Noir - This is the second tube I've gone through and I still love it. The design is the mechanical pencil style where you twist instead of sharpen, so the eyeliner is so much smoother to apply than a normal pencil. Also very handy when you can't find your pencil sharpener. It's a very black pigmented colour and once dry it's very difficult (but not impossible) to smudge. On one end it comes with an inbuilt 'smudger' but I don't use it as I like my eyeliner to be very neat, or as neat as I can get it. 

5. MaxFactor High Volume & Definition Mascara in Black - I love this mascara. It was another MaxFactor freebie, but it is a fantastic product, which I will be repurchasing the full size version once I'm through with the tester. I like my eyelashes to be long and not clumpy. I like the look of mascara but hate the heavy feeling, so I prefer the lengthening, defining mascaras, rather than the body boosting thickening ones, and this one is perfect. It makes my lashes look incredibly long with is a huge bonus. 

Brushes

Ignore how dirty they are, I've only just used them.

1. The Body Shop Face & Body Brush -  (closest first) I've had this brush for years and I love it. It's the softest brush I have ever felt. I must admit that I have always been a fan of the body shop brushes. I remember as a teenager walking into the body shop in my dinner breaks just to stroke the brushes, (the testers of course) and to dream of owning my own. A couple of years ago I took the plunge and bought my very own brushes and I've never looked back. They apply make-up perfectly.  

2. The Body Shop Blusher Brush - This is the second body shop blusher brush I have owned, and I was devastated when the first one died. Whatever you do don't try to use a hair dryer to dry the bristles on a synthetic haired brush. haha. I love this brush so much. As with the face and body brush, the bristles are so soft. Another thing to add is that once washed they regain their original shape so easily, and I have not once experienced any fall out in regards to the brushes. Overall these brushes are amazing quality. 

3. No7 Foundation Brush - This was another £5 No7 Voucher purchase and I love it. It's a very soft but sturdy brush, with nicely compacted bristles which help make applying foundation a dream. Sometimes I find it can leave slight brush marks in the foundation, but it is to be expected when using this type of foundation brush to apply foundation, so we can't really blame the brush for that. 

4. Revlon All Over Shadow Brush - This is another brush I've head for years, and it's stood up to the test of time. It's an incredibly soft eyeshadow brush which I use to apply my main eyeshadow colour all over my lid. I can't remember the exact price but I don't believe it was that expensive. I bought it in Superdrug, and it was with out a doubt under £10.

5. No7 Eyeshadow Blend & Contour Brush - I have two of these because I love them so much. I think they retail at £6 so when used with one of the £5 voucher they work out at £1. And believe me they are well worth it at £6, so for £1 it's a steal. They are super soft, blend eyeshadow effortlessly, and are just pretty. haha. I use this brush to both place the shadow in my crease and to blend and it works a treat. 

It just goes to show that you don't need really expensive make-up brushes to apply your make-up, you just need to know where and when to pick up a bargain. And you don't need tons and tons of brushes either. I must admit I've also never experienced any shedding from any of my everyday make-up brushes, and I've washed them all many many times. 

I hope at least some of you found this post helpful, or at least share in some of my favourite products. 

Katie 

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