Merry Christmas!

Ho Ho Ho!

Merry Christmas everybody, hope your all having an amazing day, and I hope Santa didn't give you too much trouble and brought you everything you asked for.  If he didn't just let me know, I'll send the boys round, next year he definitely won't be doing it again.

Merry Christmas!!!

The Girls: A Review

I have never looked into my sister's eyes. I have never bathed alone. I have never stood in the grass at night and raised my arms to a beguiling moon. I've never used an aeroplane bathroom. Or worn a hat. Or been kissed like that... So many things I've never done, but oh, how I've been loved. And, if such things were to be, I'd live a thousand times as me, to be loved so exponentially' In twenty-nine years, Rose Darlen has never spent a moment apart from her twin sister, Ruby. She has never gone for a solitary walk or had a private conversation. Yet, in all that time, she has never once looked into Ruby's eyes. Joined at the head, 'The Girls' (as they are known in their small town) attempt to lead a normal life, but can't help being extraordinary. Now almost thirty, Rose and Ruby are on the verge of becoming the oldest living craniopagus twins in history, but they are remarkable for a lot more than their unusual sisterly bond.

I use Grammarly's free plagiarism checker because although Imitation may be the greatest form of flattery, plain old copy catting is just a step too far!.  Have a little looksie why doncha.

Now I don't know if I'm just particularly emotional these days or whether this is just a damn good book but I have to admit I actually shed a little tear.  To be honest I think it may be a little bit of both.  At this point you know that this is just going to be a glowing review, if it can make me cry then it must be absolutely amazing!

This book is written from alternative perspectives of both Ruby and Rosie, cranopagus conjoined twins (joined at the skull), and I think it is this touch that really draws you in and makes you feel for them.  In fact the writing perspective is just so good and so autobiographical that several times at the start I had to check on the author's name to clarify that it was indeed different from the characters.  I realise that this statement makes me look particularly dense but I'm just trying to prove a point ok.

The story is told as the girls near the end of their life, approaching the important milestone of 30 years old.  You are very aware of where this story is heading, and can only begin to imagine how terrible it must feel just knowing what is facing them.

Although the story is told from both perspectives the majority ok the book is heavily weighted towards Rosie, who's literary style is far more advanced and it is her who gives us all the background information which helps us to piece together their lives.  It is here we learn of their adoptive parents who play a huge role in their lives but we know are no longer alive.  It is not until very late in the book that we find out what has happened to them and I have to say that this part, although not particularly graphic had just enough detail to leave a starling image in my mind and left me feeling quite shocked.

I loved this book for it's complete originality, the unique way it is told and just how you grow so fond of the characters I was left really quite emotional at the end, not only with the knowledge of their ending lives but also how they both fulfilled their dreams.

If you want to read something completely different, really well written and just utterly gorgeous, then my friend, this book is the one for you!

If you would like to read this book you can buy it on Amazon here, or check out the author here.

I give this book a great big:

p.s. I edit all my pics with PicMonkey.

Peace and Love,

DIY Wallart: A Tutorial

I’ve been in my house for over a year now, and since moving in it’s been non-stop decorating and generally hard core grafting to get it to look just how we pictured.  But now, after all this time we’re ready to start sticking up some pictures and personalising our little house to look like home.

Now, I don’t know about anybody else, but pictures are expensive!  Not only are they expensive but they are never quite what you want, so I have taken matters into my own hands and created my own!

I present to you Wall Paper Pictures.  As shown here in my bedroom:

So this is uber easy and can be totally tailored to exactly what you want.

Start off with a frame, this particular one came from Ikea, and was only about 3 quid, what a bargain, and it comes with the frame insert.

Next get yourself down to your local B&Q, Wilkinson's, or wherever does wall paper and get picking.  This is just a glimpse of some of my picks.   

Make sure you pick up a few samples, sometimes the ones you think will work well just don’t look too good, and vice versa.  This is effectively your art.  The beauty of this part is that it’s completely and utterly free!

You'll be suprised at what lovely little art work you can get on a piece of wall paper, sometimes it will just be nice to go for a regular old patterned one, but every now and again you can find some amazing prints, I found this Marilyn Monroe one which I just knew I'd have to find a place for on my wall. 

Now, using your frame, place over the wallpaper, moving it about to find just the right place.

Draw around your frame and cut out.

To keep it just in place you may need to selotape/blu-tack the wallpaper to the mount.

Last but not least, seal the picture into your frame and then stand back and admire your handy work.

And there you go, a lovely piece of fairly original artwork for you to adjourn your walls with.

I’ll be sure to do a little house tour showing you all my crafty pieces and other ideas soon!

p.s. I edit all my pics with PicMonkey.
 
‘Til next time,

VO5 Plump It Up: A Review

So it's time for another review,  and this time it's VO5 Plump It Up Blow Dry Lotion.  Having run out of my old Urban Fudge Sea Salt Spray (you can see the review here), I thought I'd give another volumising spray a go, and this is the one I chose... Urm, obviously.  And in the spirit of a review I figured I'd share my thought on the product, as you do!

So first up I'd like to point out that this product only cost £2.99 which is blinkin' brilliant and if I'm being honest, heavily influenced my choice.  Hell, if it's good then happy days, it is a super cheap lovely little buy and if it's absolute pants, then just don't buy it again and my purse is only £2.99 down.  You can't say fairer than that!

I've been using this product everyday since I had it and absolutely love it.  It really does seem to give my hair that extra bit of volume that it needs, and is far better than the Urban Fudge Sea Salt Spray.  You spray onto damn hair, mainly at the roots and then just start drying as normal, easy as that.

Given that my hair is getting longer and longer (it will tend to do that if you don't cut it), I was expecting the extra length to start dragging my hair down and make it start to look limp and quite frankly a bit thin and horrible, but this little product is certainly helping keep my locks all bouncy and thick looking.

One of my favourite things about this product is the smell.  Now, I'm aware that really the smell doesn't change the way it works, but it does mean that it makes me that little bit happier when I'm bleary eyed and half asleep in the morning trying to make myself and my hair look decent enough to leave the house and not scare the local children.  Ok, so the smell may not be to everyone's taste and some people may think 'what are you talking about you crazy b*tch', but I just love it, it's quite nostaligic if you know what I mean.  It reminds me of that classic old hair salon and perming solution smell, which sounds weird but I love it, I'm sure there are other people out there who's mother used to have one of those god awful perms that were all the rage back in the 80's... If your thinking no, then your mammy is either too young, to clever to have known better than to have done such a thing, or was just plain missing out.  Thankfully the perm seems to have not made a come back, and please, little baby Jesus, let it never find the light of day again.

Ok, where was I, oh yes, sniffing the top of my Plump it Up spray... JOKING.  In all serious I really do love this product, it's cheap and cheerful and does the job (well!), so I'm very happy with it.

I give this little beauty an:

p.s. I edit all my pics with PicMonkey.
 
Ciao,

Advertise in January for Free

 Yes thats right ladies and gentlemen, I am once again offering up my humble little blog for you to advertise your selves for nothing, nada, zip!

Well here we are again, how fast does the month go?!?!  Anywho, having had such a lovely little selection of sponsors for this December who are currently gracing my side bar I have decided that this whole advertising for free malarky should extend beyond this year.

Therefore I am calling for all those who wish to advertise with Fragile Bird for free this coming January.  You will be on my side bar for this new year, exciting huh?!? 

So lets get down to details shall we:

There's no small print to this, but here's whats available:

2 x (400 x 200 px)
2 x (400 x 100 px)
4 x (200 x 200 px)
(I can be a wee bit flexible on the heights if necessary, but the widths are fixed I'm afraid.)

So 8 spaces available.  Depending on the interest shown I will allocate the spaces as I feel necessary based on how much I feel your blog is suitable to my own and just personal preference really.  Hell it's free, don't complain!  

Your ad will run from 01Jan2014 to 31Jan2014 and every sponsor will be part of a #ff every week of this month.  Additionally, your blog will be featured on a blog post providing any some information your good selves in my 'Sponsor Appreciation' post.

Oh and I would kindly ask that you follow my blog in return... I'm not asking alot, just so you can easily keep an eye out on your button ;)

So with out further ado, if your interested in advertising here, please leave your name, web address and email below and I will contact you for further information.  Or alternatively you can contact me on Fragilebird@live.com.

Please contact me before 22nd December, following which I will email you for the necessary information.

p.s. I edit all my pics with PicMonkey.

Peace,

Heart Shaped Box

"Hey! Wait! I got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice"

This post's TUNE comes from none other than the little legends that are Nirvana.  Let's not muck about here, you all know who Nirvana are, and if for some reason you have been living under a rock for many years then shame on you, go and find out who the hell they are.  I think I may have already divulged details on my teenage grumpy grunge stage, whereby I loved all these kind of bands but just didn't choose to sign up to the whole greasy not washing thing.  Nirvana have shaped musical history, they are instantly recognisable and all of their songs are raw and emotional,  they leave their impact on you no matter what you opinion on this band. 

I could write a whole essay on Kurt Cobain, with whom I was utterly obsessed with when I was younger even though by the time I had discovered him he was unfortunately already gone, having taken his own life.  There is many a conspiracy surrounding Kurt Cobain's death and if you ever find yourself at a loose end have a read up on it, you'll get sucked in I promise you and want to know more and more.  Despite all the controversy there is no denying that Kurt Cobain was a talented man who although gone is not forgotten along with all the other in the 27 club, I loved you all.

You can listen to this amazing tune here and check out Nirvana in more detail here.

Right then.......

Leggings: Matalan (£12.00)

Coat: Primark (old)

Boots: Topshop (£36.00)

Socks: Matalan (old)

Backpack: Camden Market (prezzie)

Jumper: Primark (£6.00)

Shirt: New Look (£12.99)

Bobble Hat: H&M (£6.99)

On another one of my very welcome days off from work I went to Carmarthen for a little day trip, done a spot of shopping and generally had a bit of a wander round.  It's somewhere I absolutely love but only ever visit every now and again as I guess it's just that little bit too far for it to be a regular destination of mine.  If you are ever in my beautiful South Wales (don't know why I say 'my' then, I don't own it, South Wales doesn't belong to me), then be sure to take your selves over to the west and get yourself to Camarthen, it's a lovely little town so it is.

Anywho, this is my attempt at trying to be cool.  What I've realised is that although it's good to have a particular style mixing it up a bit never hurt anyone, unless of course I was to wear a massively studded jacket which in turn took out a passerby's eye...  Where was I, oh yeah, so generally I would say that my go to style is pretty classic, that last outfit post pretty much summed it up, it's how I feel most comfortable, but I do like a bit of grungy tomboy and also a bit of whatever else takes my fancy.

These leggings were an absolute bargain from Matalan which is fast becoming my favourite shop and I can't help but pick up something whenever I'm in there.  Good for Matalan, not so good for my bank account...  So yup, to give these leggings a bit of a twist I folded up to give a short leg and combined it with my most beloved Topshop boots and my lovely woolly black and white socks from Matalan.

The jumper was a bargain at just six quid, but given it's size 8 it's just a touch to baggy, so I would recommend picking up a size smaller if you decide you want one yourself.  As per usual I stuck a shirt underneath because I think I'm starting to find it physically impossible not to put a shirt under everything... I think I may have a problem.

Last but not least, I wore my old Primark coat over the top, my new bobble hat which fits just right and added my leather Camden backpack.  Bish bash bosh, job done.

What you think?

Cheerio,

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

Hey old man, how’s tricks?  You still got those poor over worked reindeer pulling your rather sizable ass about over the snow?  Yeah, though so!  I’m seriously considering reporting you to the RSPCA this year if you don’t improve your act, there really is no need for it, why don’t you just buy yourself a truck; it would be far more practical and kinder to the reindeer, I’m strongly against animal cruelty and you my friend are seriously pushing it here.  

Anywho, I know we got off to a bad start there but some things just really have to be said.  Although on that note, why is it that you think that it’s ok to employ little people to do all your dirty work for you, you’ve got an old fashioned sweat shop going on up there in the North Pole don’t you!  How much do these people get paid?  Are their working hours in line with government guidelines?  Are they treated fairly?  I’m sure you’re starting to get a bit hot under the collar with all these accusations, but I’m just interested in this so called ‘work-shop’ you have going on up there.

Sorry about that, lets hope you haven’t taken too much offense and instead can still bring me exactly what I want this year.  I have already asked my boyfriend/sister/parents for what I want but there is some stuff I’d still love to have but am just not cheeky enough to ask for as it would cost an absolute fortune.  Now, I don’t want this perceived as blackmail under any means, but if you, my red suited little friend, do not deliver all that is on this list on Christmas eve then I am reporting you to the authorities.  Like I said, it’s not blackmail, just think of it as a bit of gentle persuasion if you will.

So, here’s what I’m asking for:

1. She and Him Volume Two Vinyl / 2. Amy Winehouse Back to Black Vinyl  / 3. River Island Over Sized Coat / 4. Topshop Navy Pleat Skirt / 5. Vivienne Westwood Watch / 6. Real Techniques Core Collection / 7. Lush Lip Scrub / 8. Topshop Tassle Boot / 9. Miss Selfridge Collar Dress / 
10. Rabbit Night Light / 11.  Matalan Tartan Pencil Skirt / 12. Jenny Colgan Book / 13. Dressing Table / 14. Cable Knit Jumper / 15. Haggard Library Sweet Rabbit Print

On the whole I think I've been very reasonable here.

Be sure to deliver these by truck as suggested as I will not be amused if I find reindeer prints in the snow outside!

Cheers,

A Gathering Light: A Review

When mattie Gokey is given a bundle of letters to burn she fully intends to execute the wishes of the giver, Grace Brown. When Grace Brown is found drowned the next day in Big Moose Lake, Mattie finds that it is not as easy to burn those letters as she had thought. And, as she reads, a riveting story emerges - not only Grace Brown's story but also Mattie's hopes and ambitions for the future and her relationships with her friends and family.

Recently, the last few books I have read have left me feeling a bit uninspired and generally a bit let down.  Thankfully, my literary losing streak came to an end with this book and my faith in books has been one hundred percent restored.

This is one of those books that will stay with me forever, will take pride of place on my bookshelf and will be fondly remembered, ah, just perfect.

 Set in 1906 New York State, the book chapters alternate between July and April and tells the tale of Mathilda (Mattie) Gokey, a local girl working in a hotel who is given the letters of a young pretty girl who is later found drowned in the lake.  The story tells both tales in unison, Mattie’s struggle to achieve her dream of being a writer despite her circumstances and the Young Girl, Grace Brown, through a series of letters.  Both girls, although caught in very different circumstances have the same tale to tell, one of being trapped in a situation which neither can seem to escape.

I don’t want to spell out the plot here, nor the ending of course, but I will say that this book is written absolutely beautifully, both tales are neatly interwoven with each other and it really does draw you into the story and grow fond of all of the characters.

I grew to really love Mattie and really felt for her and her circumstances, wanting to make something of her life and talent but feeling torn and duty bound by the loyalty to her family.  As I neared the end of the book I had grown so attached to the character I was longing for her to break free, run away and achieve her dream.   

Grace Brown we are not told very much of but what little is given to us in the letters; we can’t help but really empathise with her predicament and feel angry at her lover for leaving her and ignoring her in this way.  Unlike Mattie she is nowhere near as strong, her situation and future happiness seem to have been pinned upon the very man who has left her in this terrible situation.

Of course, these are only two of the characters in the book, but all others play an important role and are given just as much love and attention by the author, and you grow equally as fond of these individuals too.

I would highly recommend this book, and suggest you go out and buy yourself a copy now!

I give this book a great big:

You can buy the book from Amazon here and take a look at the author’s website here.

Bye for now,

Beetlebum

 "Beetlebum
What you've done
She's a gun
Now what you've done"

This post's TUNE comes from Blur.  Remeber back in the days of Britpop, you were either an Oasis fan or Blur, well, me I was an Oasis girl.  I blinkin' loved them, bought all their albums and singles and my walls were covered with their not so pretty mugs.  Although I'm still at heart an Oasis girl, years later I can now appreciate that Blur were in fact a damn good band, their songs were just so so good, and this is a particular favourite of mine.  I now realise how old this makes me sound as there are many of you out there who wouldn't even have heard of the whole Britpop battle, but bugger it, yes I'm twenty seven and I'm so happy to have been part off whole the whole thing, oh yeah!  You can listen to the song here and check them out here.

Righteo then, lets move on shall we....

Coat: H&M (old)

Shoes: Asos (old)

Dress: Boohoo (£15.00)

Shirt: Topshop (old)

Bag: Miss Selfridge (old)

Tights: Primark (old)

So being a model employee I have been hard at work since April having taken very few days off, which now is catching up with me and I realise I have to take some days off, yesssssss :)

Not one to want to waste a day, yes, I'm one of those people, I decided to take a wee trip to Bath and it's good old Christmas markets with my sis.  I have been before, and last time I was there I walked around in the evening which I think really shows the markets off to their full potential with all the twinkling lights and pretty little stalls.  Of course, it's still just as gorgeous in the day, but if you do go be sure to stay for the evening, you'll understand why when your there.

We done a good bit of shopping, although not enough clothes shopping for my liking, in fact all I had was a beanie from H&M, ridiculous!  Although I am pretty much finished for my Christmas shopping which is all good, look at me all organised and ahead of the game.

I wore my lovely new smock dress from Boohoo along with my vintage look blouse from Topshop along with some thick black tights and my lovely leather brogues from Asos.  This is an old coat from my collection but how I love it, it's survived well and I think looks pretty sophisticated, well, about as sophisticated as a girl from the valleys can look!  Ey, I can take the mickey, I'm from there!

Have you visited Bath Christmas Markets?

All of my pictures are edited using Picmonkey.

p.s. Don’t forget to follow me on twitter.

Love,