Getting To Know You Better Tag

Feb 16, 2018Leave a comment

Hello, hello, hello my lovely readers!

I was tagged by Sasha at Little Book Shelf for this tag and I thought it looked like fun. I love a good tag and it was great to show my own answers as well as being able to show some great bloggers that I’m reading at the moment.

The Rules:
Answer the questions down below.
Credit the tag creator InkGirlWords.
Nominate as many unsuspecting souls as possible! (or at least 5).

The Tag

How long have you been blogging?

I’ve been blogging since I was 17…that’s 6 years now (no idea how that happened). The first 2.5 years was just doing book reviews and then I’ve spent 4.5 on this blog, which is crazy!

Do you enjoy doing tags?

I really like doing tags, I feel like you can find out so much about a blogger/vlogger through tags and I’ve got some amazing book recommendations through tags!

Do you follow the blogs that follow you?

I try to follow them all! Sorry if I’ve missed any.

Describe your blog in five words.

Books. Thoughts. Passion. Life. Everything.

How many posts have you made on your blog (not counting this tag)?

At the time of writing this post 1207…

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you enjoy blogging?

10, I love it. Love, love, love it!

Post some links to blogs you enjoy reading:

Writing or reading blog posts?

Writing, I can’t stop

I Tag:

The blogs I like reading!

And anyone who wants to do this tag!

Have fun!!

Book Review: The Secret History of Us – Jessi Kirby

Feb 15, 2018Leave a comment

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‘A teenage girl must piece together the parts of her life she doesn’t remember after a severe collision leaves her with no memory of the past four years.’

When I was offered a copy of this I was intrigued but didn’t want to go into it knowing too much. I’ve read a lot of thrillers which cover the amnesia idea but that’s where this novel was different. This is a story about a girl putting herself back together slowly while trying to work out the world around her with a newfound innocence.

Of course, there is an element of mystery, Olivia cannot remember anything from the past four years of her life. She can’t remember the breakup of her friendship group or the boy that claims to be her boyfriend. I felt for her, I really did. I wanted her to remember but there wasn’t a huge element of sinister activity, which was a nice change.

The fact that her memory has been lost means she can effectively get a second chance at who she is as a teenager. In this, you see her life through new eyes, younger and more open to the possibility.

The best part about this novel is that it’s an easy read. I sat and finished this within a day but despite that, it doesn’t mean it didn’t have some depth to it. For me, personally, I wished it had been longer, some things towards the end seemed a little rushed or could have been explored further.

I really enjoyed this, it was easy to follow and a quick read. I would recommend this for those reasons alone but I also really enjoyed the plot and Olivia was a relatable character. I gave this 4 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to people who are just looking for a good weekend read!

I received this as part of a collaboration with Harper 360, in exchange for a copy I promised to give a full and honest review. Thank you to Harper 360 for this! If you’d like to collaborate with me find out more here.

I Have a Skin Care Routine?

Feb 12, 2018Jan 28, 20186 Comments

As you all know, I’m not a beauty blogger, in fact, I wrote a whole post about it. That said, as I get older or should I say as my sister gets older I’ve gotten more interested. That and I’ve really had problems with my skin recently. I get most of my recommendations from my family and friends, but I’m getting there. Now, I have a skincare routine!

Why now?

This wasn’t something I set out to do, I was just using wipes for my skin. Then in the latter half of 2017, I started having real trouble. I’d always had spots but they come and go. Then my skin got worse and developed into acne and I got stressed, the most stressed I got, the worse my skin got. I needed to try something. My Mum decided to get me the stuff that she uses to see if it would help! I’m also pleased to say that Elemis is also cruelty-free!

What is my routine?

Put some Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm into my hands to warm up. Once warm, spread evenly across my face. Using warm water, massage the balm into the face in circular motions. Once done, wash away with warm water. Pat face dry.
Take Rehydrating Ginseng Tone and spray on to a cotton pad (I get mine from Superdrug but you can pick them up anywhere) and wipe my face.
Put on a layer of moisturiser and rub into skin.

Has it worked?

I have seen a difference, in my skin. It’s definitely looking healthier and gradually it’s making a difference but, of course, when I have PMS my skin is awful and there’s not much that can help in that scenario, it’s a whole league of its own. That said, once I’ve completed my routine I feel so much better and so much healthier!

Do you have a skincare routine? What do you use? Let me know in the comments below!

This is NOT a sponsored post, these are my own opinions.

What Do You Do For Fun? 23 and ‘Boring’

Feb 10, 2018Feb 10, 20186 Comments

I was recently asked what I do for fun, what my hobbies are. I replied as I always do I blog, I read a lot and I write. People don’t really believe me when I say that’s what I do for fun. Don’t you go out? Don’t you drink etc, etc. That’s usually how it goes. So sometimes I think about it, am I boring for my age?

I’ve never been one for regularly going out to clubs and partying. When I was a teenager I went to house parties, hosted by my boyfriend. When I was in college I didn’t go out drinking still, only to a few house parties. In my first six months at university, I went out to a club grand total of two times the first I was on the night bus crying by midnight because I had an anxiety attack. The second time I came home early. In Second year I’d get drunk so I wasn’t anxious and go out with friends. In Third year I didn’t go out at all. Then I graduated and became even more comfortable with my own life.

You might follow me on Instagram and think, hang on I’ve seen pictures of you out with friends. I do go, occasionally. Once a month my friends and I try and go out for drinks or I might go to see or do something. For a long time, I got hung up on the fact I didn’t feel ‘normal’, I felt ‘boring’. I had this idea in my head of what I was meant to be doing.

There is a pressure I think. Travel the world, but save money. Go out and party, but spend all your time networking and building a career. Have fun, but think seriously about your future, you only get one chance. All of these things going through your mind.

The thing is, I like staying at home and reading books or writing. Blogging makes me happy. Spending time on my craft, reading a really good book, having lie-ins or just chatting with my boyfriend is a good weekend. I like going out and seeing and doing too but I don’t feel like I’m missing out by not going out every weekend.

I thought, for a long time, the worst someone could call me was boring. I was fun right? I was entertaining? People would want to hang out with me? I tormented myself worrying about this shit. Slowly, I’m working towards not caring about that stuff, about doing my own thing and what makes me happy. And, for me, that’s what’s important doing things I love to do rather than what everyone else is doing.

I want to hear from my lovely readers! Do you ever feel like you’re not doing ‘what you should’ or a bit boring? Do you ever feel under pressure to be or act a certain way because of your age? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

My Doritos Are Too Crunchy!!!

Feb 9, 2018Leave a comment

So much happened on Superbowl Sunday and I’m not even talking about the sports. We had Kylie Jenner announce that she had given birth and kept secret her entire pregnancy (c’mon don’t pretend you hadn’t been wondering too), Justin Timberlake played the halftime show and announced he was coming to the UK on tour BUT the real news will change the lives of all ladies.

…Are you ready?

Doritos have answered our prayers and planned lady friendly snacks. They’ll get rid of that horrible crunch sound, fit into our handbags and we won’t need to suck our fingers like a man! Just how did they know what we were all hoping and praying for! *end of heavy sarcasm*

Yep, seriously. Although now they have said they’re backtracking it still raises the question. What the hell were they thinking? Do they really think that the big issue that women have is that they don’t like getting messy eating a bag of crips? I don’t think so. Now, if I was being cynical I would guess this is a big publicity stunt, a shock tactic to make people angry but still talk about their brand. Which kinda worked.

There is still this idea of gendered BS though, things that are made pretty and pink for women for no reason other than they have a vagina. Do you remember the Bic ‘for her’ pens, have you looked at women’s razors lately? Mine has a damn Daisy on it for no reason, I bought it because it was on offer not because it spoke to my feminine instinct.

In response, I’ll be grabbing the loudest crisps or ‘chips’ as Americans call them and doing this…

How about you? Do you think this goes too far or it’s just amusing? I’d love to hear from you all in the comments below!

Hope – A Poem

Feb 6, 20184 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve posted any of my own creative writing. In the last month or so I’ve thought a lot about my own writing and where I want to go with it. I was also lucky enough to be told I’ll be published in 2018 which gave me a great confidence boost!

I wrote the following poem when I didn’t have that when I was just coming out of a pretty lonely and dark period of my life. The thing is, hope is important, but it’s not always at the front of your mind. When it does start to appear you need to grab it with both hands and try and hold on. I hope you enjoy this poem. – Chloe Metzger.

Hope.

A four letter word

but it means

I start seeing

my heart starts beating.

Again.

Hope.

That I am not the only one

who is hopeless,

useless

Me.

Hope.

A helping hand

loud voices

You stand out my girl,

Proud

Growing Up With Young Parents

Feb 5, 2018Feb 4, 20183 Comments

1996, I wish I was still as cute

Last night the internet finally got their answer to the Kylie Jenner mystery as she posted a message and video to announce the birth of her daughter. It was beautiful and made me tear up a little. Something struck me at the beginning. Her best friend Jordan reflecting on Kylie being 20 saying ‘When you’re 20 years old you’re figuring out your life…there was one thing your Mom knew for sure, and that was you’. It made me think about my own parents.

When I was born my Mum was 21 and my Dad had only just turned 22. They were in their early twenties and got engaged a few months before I was born. Then there I was this little screaming baby that they were going to take care of, and take care of they did. I was a first child, first Grandchild, first Niece, I was so, so loved.

When I tell people how young my parents are, they seem shocked. A lot of people I know have parents who are 10 or more years older or the people I work with are the same age as my parents and can’t get their heads around it. The thing is it’s always just seemed normal to me, it is what it is.

The thing is I never felt I missed out by having younger parents. I had a pretty amazing childhood. I went to Disney land when I was little, I had lots of lovely toys. I always felt loved and encouraged in whatever I set out to do. I knew that I was my parents’ whole world, then I got a little sister when I was six and I just fell in love with her.

I’ve gotten into arguments with people before, those who were incredibly narrow-minded, about the fact that people can and should have children when they want to. I know people who’ve waited until their 30s, my best friend had my Goddaughter at 17. Everyone’s journey is different, who are we to judge?

I’m past the point of where my parents were when they had me, I won’t be a young parent just because my life is different and the world is different to what it was in 1994. I love having younger parents, I always have. It might not be the same as what my friends have but I wouldn’t change it for the world. My family is pretty cool.

Any other people from young parent families? Let me know in the comments below.

Growing Up With Girl Power – The Spice Girls & Me

Feb 3, 2018Feb 3, 2018Leave a comment

I might have squealed when I saw this on Instagram…

I love music and have done for just about as long as I can remember and everyone has to start somewhere, right? Unless you’ve been completely removed from the internet in the last 48 hours you will have seen this picture. Be still my child heart because all five Spice Girls were in a room together with their previous manager and now there’s actually talk about new Spice plans.

The Spice Girls were something else for me and millions of other little girls. ‘Wannabe’ came out when I was two, I wanted to listen to these ladies all the time, I had no idea what they were singing about but I loved them. The older I got the more I wanted to be like them.

I remember around the age of four sitting and watching the new videos that came out on the TV or just waiting to see old ones. I remember watching Viva Forever’s video for the first time. Spice World was the first film I ever saw and then in 1999 my incredible Mum took a five-year-old me to see them at Earls Court, Victoria waved at me and it was the best day of my little life.

There’s something else that stands out to me as an adult though, the Spice Girls were a marketing machine. They absolutely nailed it. In the 90s you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing some reference to them, they took over the world – and with a good message. These were women who did what they liked. They were funny and loud and everywhere.

The message of Girl Power is one I held with me long after the girls parted ways. Although I know, Geri Halliwell claims she’s not a Feminist for a lot of young women, myself included, chants of Girl Power were the start of their own belief in women and Feminism. I truly believe that the message of the Spice Girls was part of me never feeling like I couldn’t do something just because I was a girl. I had, and still have, Girl Power!

Whatever these ladies choose to do as a five-piece I’ll be so excited. Really because they were a big part of my life growing up and who I am today.

What are your Spice memories? Are you excited to see them back?! Let me know in the comments below and as ever, Spice up your life.

Book Review: Everything I Know About Love – Dolly Alderton

Feb 1, 2018Jan 16, 20182 Comments

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Well, what can I say about Dolly and everything she knows about love. Finally, finally, we have a memoir that a twenty-something can relate to. There’s talk of MSN Messenger, of life before iPhones and the frustration at the current housing crisis. Love, jealousy and most importantly, friendship are all woven throughout the pages of this book in equal parts. I wanted to laugh and cry throughout.

I’ll be honest, in the first few chapters, I wondered if I would connect with Dolly. She talks about the suburban life, her boarding school, living with girlfriends etc. Not exactly things I relate to but, as she grows I could see myself and, at the moment in my life this was the book I needed. Nothing is off limits and while, in the beginning, I was frustrated that Dolly seemed to gloss over problems, this was only for a short period, by the end of the book I was rooting for her, I saw myself in her and her friends.

While the title is all Dolly know’s about love, she doesn’t clarify what kind of love. This isn’t a self-help book, this is how a young woman has navigated the relationships in her life whether that be with partners, her friends or herself, each is mentioned. Of course, there are hilarious stories of bad dates, strange men and questionable antics it’s not just a ‘look what a crazy single girl’ type book. It has heart, and that’s the most important.

The best part though? The humour. Dolly writes satirically about when friends grow up, the expectations for hen dos, baby showers and the like. About the feeling of loss and insecurity when your friends are moving faster than you are. About trying to work yourself out in your twenties and having no idea where to start.

In short, this was a brilliant book. I’ve given it 4 out of 5 stars, I only do so for two reasons, one there were recipes kind of randomly placed throughout the book and two, I wish some parts had gone more in-depth but understand that Dolly may not have felt she could. I 100% recommend this for anyone in their twenties who needs a pick me up!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author who gave me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

January Favourites!

Jan 31, 2018Jan 30, 2018Leave a comment

Well, we’ve finally got to the end of January! A long and pretty gloomy month as far as the outside goes! For the majority of us, it’s also meant that there hasn’t been a lot of spare cash, so it’s been a pretty tight month too, with little to spend so this is definitely going to be a shorter favourites post than usual.

Books

It’s been an amazing month for books, so much so I wrote a roundup for the month, but there are three that I have to mention. The first hasn’t been released yet, but you’re going to want to add it to your TBR. Only Child by Rhiannon Navin is a tough read that focuses on the aftermath of a school shooting from a child’s perspective. Next up is A Court of Thorns and Roses, something that I have finally given into and fallen in love with, I can’t wait to keep reading the series, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Finally, Love, Hate & Other Filters is a stunning debut and will be on top 10 lists this year, I have no doubt, read my review here.

Music

My biggest music highlight was going to see Paramore for the 4th time! Every time I see them I feel like I reach another big point in my life. The best part was seeing it with Ali. I wrote about it here.

Watching

I started watching back in November I think? I am definitely hooked though. I’m not a hardcore Trekky but the series is absolutely incredible and I’m really excited to see where it goes next.

Fashion

With money being tight this month there wasn’t much to go on fashion or beauty BUT there was one. I picked this up in New Look for under £5! I absolutely love the fact it compliments my figure after a bit of weight loss too!

Top 5 Blogs

Life Update: I’m Being Published!

I’ve Been Hiding My Face!

How’s 2018 Going So Far

Harry Potter Haul: Updated

My Goals For 2018

What were some of your favourites, anything I should check out in February? Or maybe one of mine has inspired you! Let me know in the comments below!