March Favourites! - Tuesdays with Ash

Hey Guys! =D

Wow I've been absent for a while. Sorry about that =/

Anywho, these last two days I've had a really bad stomach bug and I've drunk so much water and I think I was close to drowning. Or becoming a fish. BUBBLES!

God I need sleep...

ONTO MY FAVOURITES OF THIS MONTH!

Favourite band:

~ Marianas Trench
I've recently discovered this band and OMG their songs are amazing! I particularly hooked on 'Haven't Had Enough' and 'B-Team'. If you like rock pop then you'll like these guys!

Favourite drink:

~ I'm following Bri's advice here and I've starting drinking green tea again! It definitely has an acquired taste so it may take you a while to come to like it. I used to hate it but now I'm okay with it =)

Favourite food:

~ I gave up chocolate for Lent (which has gotten me a lot of harassment from my so-called friends) and I miss chocolate sooooo much! Even though I can't eat it yet it's still my favourite food, if that makes sense. It doesn't does it? Crap.

Favourite film:

~ Saving Mr Banks
This film is so emotional and it follows the story of the writer of Mary Poppins and Walt Disney who wants to make the book into a film, but the writer isn't so keen. Emma Thompson plays the writer and she is just an amazing actress! Along with her and Tom Hanks playing Walt Disney it's a film that you just simply have to watch.

Favourite book:

~ Cherry Crush
This book is the first in the series called The Chocolate Box Girls by Cathy Cassidy and even though it has quite a cliché plot (girl moves to another city with her dad to live with his new girlfriend, she meets a cute guy who plays guitar blah blah blah...) I love the characters as they are so quirky and Cherry's new step-sisters are adorable! Well, apart from one but I come to like her slightly near the end of the book. You'll see why if you read it!


Right, that's it from me and I'll see you people on the last day of March! God, this year is going by so quickly!!

See ya next week!
Ash xx

Lollie's brain - March, Twitter and All That Glitters

Hello Internet people - it's March... WHAT

How is it possibly 3 months into this year already? How is that even possible? I want my 3 months back thanks...

You know what, to start this off - don't drink alcohol. Okay just in general... Random thought but just don't and to quote Elizabeth Swan (about rum...) 'It's a vile drink that turns even the most respectable men into complete scoundrels'

To start with - it was World Book Day yesterday. I read Geek drama and All The Glitters from the Geek Girl series by Holly Smale.
I have been waiting for All That Glitters for a long time now. I'd say at least 9 months... I think. Anyway, my point is - it was totally worth the wait. So whilst reading the book, my thought track went kind of something like this:

- okay, lets do this
- yes Harriet's in there with a bit of self-diagnosing again
- 10,000 chocolate bars!!!! that's a lot of chocolate... Maya's probably eaten that many galaxy bars this week... she's addicted!
- OMG I can't wait to see Toby and Nat and find out about Nick
- Oh Harriet...
- Oh no...
- I feel you girl... books are an escape
-TOBYISBUILDINGATIMEMACHINE
- Not just any time machine - a TARDIS
- Where can I get a Toby and when can he build me one
- I can so relate to this
- No
- Nonononononononononono
-NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO
- Cheeky mention of Taylor Swift, Smale - I see you
- oh Harriet...
- who is this boy and why do I like him even though he's arrogant and hates Harriet - oh my god he has beautiful eyes
- what
- urgh
- I actually love this book beyond comprehension
- everythings going great
- Nat! No
- oh no...
- Urgh Jasper... but omg Jasper but urgh...
- yay party
- Oh...
- Nothing goes right
- Tobes please go back to stalking Harriet, I liked that...
- Awwwwwwwwwwwwww
- oh...
- it's over,,,, well I guess I better read it again.

Yup, that's how my brain works when reading a book and as you can tell, I am quite emotionally attached to Toby and Harriet because I feel as though I can relate to them both. Next Friday, we have to wear something Red to sixth form for Red Nose Day so I'm wearing my Geek Girl: All That Glitters glasses! I am very excited.

Oh, another thing... I had a hair cut. Its now just below my shoulders and I love it. I have a track record for absolutely despising my hair whenever it gets cut but this time - It's wonderful, glorious in fact. I look so much more like Clara and I am extremely happy about that.

I am also in the process of getting very excited for Comic Con, despite the fact it being two months away. I feel like I've come up with this genius idea of 'Budget Cosplay', where you attempt to find alternative clothing from cheap high street stores or from charity and thrift shop, thus meaning it is less expensive for you. This way, I want to be able to prove that you don't need to spend heaps and heaps of money to be  successful cosplayer. Also, I don't think I'd ever enter any competitions, I think it would just be for the pure enjoyment of Conventions and being that character.
So far I have attempted the 11th Doctor, Clara and Osgood at home - I am possibly being the 11th Doctor and Clara for Comic con in May!

I should probably be excited also, about my trip to Cyprus in Easter. I'm flying on my own for the very first time which could be fun - we'll see. I fly the day after I post my March favourites and I will be working over there and seeing my dad (earning money to buy my Missy - Doctor Who - cosplay for October Comic Con) which will be a lot of fun!

At the moment, I am attempting to widen my vocabulary. Although it may not seem evident from this post, all the other Sweethearts have noticed it at school. Bri commented on my use of the word Hedonistic today. I think I'm going to do word of the week.

Word of the week: Egotistical - adjective: excessively conceited or absorbed in oneself; self-centered. Other synonyms: selfish, egocentric, narcissistic, conceited and vain.

Another thing - my room is covered in post-it notes for Travel and Tourism revision and I got my first ever C+ in a Psychology essay!

I think I shall end this post on that note. I'm sorry it hasn't been incredibly informative as to anything but my life at the moment but hey ho, it's my post :)

I shall see you all next week will something that will hopefully be more planned and engaging than this!

Until Next Time - Allons-y!

Lollie xxx

February Favourites! - Tuesdays with Ash

Heya guys! =D

First of all, Happy March! I can't believe that February has ended already! Oh well, at least it will start getting warmer now =)

As you can see from the title, I'm doing my February favourites so let's get started!

• Favourite songs

~ 'Love Me Like You Do' by Ellie Goulding

~ 'Hold Back The River' by James Bay

~ 'Like I Can' by Sam Smith

~ 'Sugar' by Maroon 5

~ 'Hey Jude' by The Beatles

• Favourite book

~ 'The Casual Vacancy' by J. K. Rowling

• Favourite film

~ Kingsman: The Secret Service (Taron Egerton and Colin Firth OMG! <3)

• Favourite TV show

~ Blackadder Goes Forth (We've been analysing it in my English class and I'd forgotten how much I love it XD It's absolutely brilliant and hilarious!)

• Favourite food

~ Rice cakes

• Favourite Youtubers

~ nigahiga

~ Markiplier

~ Yogscast (For those who know them I met Duncan, Kim and Turps at Comic Con =D)

• Favourite items of clothing

~ My new jeggings (a black pair and a blue pair) which I got at Matalan in Chelmsford 

• Favourite animes

~ Haikyuu!!

~ Kuroko no Basket

Right, that's about it for this week. Happy Spring everyone and I hope that March is going to be an awesome month for you guys!

See you next week! 

Ash xx

Character Review! - Tuesdays with Ash

Heya guys!

Sorry that I didn't post last week guys! It was half-term and I spend most of my time sleeping! A brilliant excuse, I know.

Anywho, a couple of weeks ago Belle did a character review on Ian O'Shea from the book The Host, so I decided that I would do my own review on one of my favourite characters! (Just a heads up, if you guys haven't read Harry Potter yet there will be spoilers ahead so read at your own risk!)

If you hadn't guessed yet, yes this character is from Harry Potter and it is none other than... 

Draco Malfoy!

For you guys who haven't seen or read Harry Potter Draco starts off being one of the main antagonists of the books and stays as Harry's rival through the series, until the very end where he has a change of heart. As many of my friends know I adore this character and I have a crush on the actor who played him spectacularly in the films, who is none other than Tom Felton.

Since this review will be about the Draco in the books, Harry and him first meet in Madam Malkin's which is a clothing shop in Diagon Alley where they are being fitted for robes. They engage in polite conversation but it is clear from the way Draco talks, especially when he talks about pure-bloods being 'our kind' and calling Muggleborns 'mud-bloods' that he is extremely arrogant and Harry instantly has a dislike of him. During this entire exchange Draco has no idea who Harry is until when they meet again on the Hogwarts Express (or outside the Great Hall in the films) and he extends his hand in friendship. 

However, Harry completely disregards him as Draco had previously insulted Ron who Harry had just made friends with. Through the rest of the third year Draco attempts to make Harry's life a misery and even goes as far as to try and expel him. Draco is constantly followed by his 'henchmen' Crabbe and Goyle, and his most famous saying is 'wait till my father hears about this!'

Crabbe (left) and Goyle (right)

Throughout the first four books Draco is portrayed as a bully to Harry and his friends, with Rowling even suggesting that Draco was jealous of Harry's high status as 'The Boy Who Lived' which is shown when Draco ridicules Harry when Lockheart's having a book signing by saying 'you can't even walk into a book ship without making the front page'. Many people may wonder why I like this character so much and I honestly can't explain why, but it will start to make more sense as the book series continues.

It is in the 5th book (The Order of the Phoenix) when you start to see a change in Draco's behaviour, as his father (Lucius Malfoy) is send to Azkaban (a wizard prison) due to Harry revealing him to be a Death Eater (a follower of Voldemort). Draco attempts to hex Harry on the Hogwart's Express but his friends come to the rescue and Draco, Crabbe and Goyle end up going home looking like giant slugs! 

Draco's life takes a turn for the worst in book 6 (The Half-Blood Prince) as he has become a Death Eater and has been given the task of killing Dumbledore. It is told later that if Draco did not succeed in his mission, Voldemort would kill him and his parents instead. Draco spends the whole year trying to fix The Vanishing Cabinet so that the Death Eaters can enter Hogwarts. Draco's character changes drastically as he is shown to become distant from his friends and almost kills Ron and Katie Bell when attempting to kill Dumbledore. Draco himself almost dies when him and Harry have a wand fight (no dirty thoughts here guys!) in Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom but is healed by Snape. When the time comes for Draco to kill Dumbledore, he cannot bring himself to do it so Snape intervenes and all the Death Eaters flee Hogwarts.

Draco injured in Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom

During the last and final book (The Deathly Hallows) it is hard to tell whether Draco is still on Voldemort's side or has turned good. When Harry, Ron and Hermione get captured Draco is forced to identify Harry, in which he says 'it might be'. This is a huge character development for Draco as even though Voldemort has threaten to kill him and his parents, he still won't intentionally give Harry up. This means that there might still be a chance for Draco to prove himself. As well as this when Draco, Crabbe and Goyle flee the burning Room of Requirement with Harry, Ron and Hermione and Crabbe doesn't, it shows Draco morning for his lost friend which shows that even though Crabbe seemed no more than a henchman for Draco he was still considered a dear friend. 

It is also shown during the final confront between Harry and Voldemort that Draco does indeed have a close relationship with his parents. When Narcissa is ordered to check whether Harry is still alive after being struck by the Killing Curse, she lies about his being alive so that she will be able to search Hogwarts for Draco. After Voldemort dies, it is briefly mentioned that the Malfoys are all sitting huddled together showing that they are all alive and well. In the epilogue, Rowling has stated that Draco married Astoria Greengrass (the younger sister of a classmate of his) and they now have a son called Scorpio. When Draco sees Harry, it is shown that he gives him a brief and curt nod which symbolises that their rivalry is other and they are no longer enemies. However, on Pottermore Rowling has also stated that Draco and Astoria are not teaching Scorpio to be scornful at Muggle-borns and only be friends with pure-bloods, which apparently Lucius is not so happy with. But for all I could care, Lucius can go and stick his opinion where the sun don't sun as his son has grown up and has become a better person than what he was. 

Draco, Scorpio and Astoria in Kings Cross Station

This character has gone through many significant changes and has grown up into a good man in front of our very eyes. As you can see from the gif, he obviously deeply cares for his son and wife and I am so glad that he got a happy ending. With the amount of shit that happened in his life, I think that he deserves it. Yes, I admit that he was a douche to the Golden Trio but it is clearly shown in the books that he has grown out of that arrogant boy and if Harry can forgive him then so can you. Even though it may take Ron some convincing otherwise, with him telling his daughter Rosie not to get too friendly with Scorpio, as 'Granddad Weasley would never forgive you if you married a pure-blood'. 

I hope you guys enjoyed this not-so little review about Draco Malfoy and I hope that if you didn't like him before, that you may like him a little bit now. 

See you guys next week!

Ash xx

Book Series' Reviews! (#2) - Tuesdays with Ash

Hey guys! =D

First of all, happy Tuesday! I hope your week started off alright and that the rest of the week is awesome for you! Second of all, welcome to my second instalment of Book Series' Reviews! Once again I shall do three book series so here we go!

1. Gallagher Girls - Ally Carter

I first saw this series on Amazon when I was browsing it one day and it caught my interest, so I bought the first book and ended up buying the rest of the series within the next couple of weeks.

There are 6 books in this series:

1. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You
2. Cross My Heart and Hope To Spy
3. Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover
4. Only the Good Spy Young
5. Out of Sight, Out of Time
6. United We Spy

The story revolves around a young teenage girl named Cammie and she goes to the Gallagher Academy which is a secret girl's school for spies. I loved this book and I think the main reason I was interested by it was that it reminded me of H.I.V.E (look back at my previous Book Series' Reviews to read up on that series). It's absolutely brilliant because as well as dealing with all martial arts classes and special gadget classes Cammie still has to deal with teenage girl drama, including a crush on a boy who has no idea she's a spy...

The blurb of the first book is as follows:

"Do you ever feel like you're invisible? I know I do - just call me Cammie the Chameleon. But at my            school, that's seems as cool. Why? Because the Gallagher Academy might say it's for geniuses, but it's really a school for spies."

Cammie Morgan might be capable of killing a man in seven different ways, but she's about to begin her most dangerous mission yet; falling in love.

(By the way there is actually a blocked out word in the blurb it's not just me XD)

2. Special Agents - Sam Hutton

I seem to have a thing for spy books XD Anyway, I got this book series a long time ago but I still love it even now! This again revolves around a teenage girl called Maddie who trains to become a spy and teams up with two slighter older boys; Alex and Danny. I have to say that I've always had a small crush on Danny as I just find him hilarious and... yeah he's just awesome =3

There's 6 books in this series as follows:

1. Deep End

2. Countdown

3. Final Shot

4. Kiss and Kill

5. Full Throttle

6. Meltdown

Here's the blurb of the first book:

Your life can change in a second. Maddie Copper's did. She and her parents were gunned down in the street by an unknow assailant. Maddie's mother was killed and her Scotland Yard Inspector father was left in a wheelchair. Maddie was injured in the fall, her career as a dancer finished almost before it had begun. Searching for a new role in life, Maddie signs up as a trainee in her father's notorious flying squad: Police Investigation Command. PIC had a roving brief to combat crime in London and Maddie, quick-witted, intelligent and intuitive, is well-equipped to cope with the demands of her new job. She teams up with Alex Cox, an ace undercover man who can slip in and out of accents as easily as he does disguises, and Danny Bell, an electronics whizzkid with a razor-sharp mind. These three talented teenagers have the ability, courage and technical know-how to fight crime, wherever it rears its ugly head on the streets of London.

3. Artemis Fowl - Eoin Colfer

This series is completely original and this is one of the reasons why I fell in love with it. One of my friends introduced me to it (the same person who introduced me to Eragon) and it's just amazing. The characters are instantly likeable, even though the main character Artemis is a bit of the douche in the beginning but I swear that he gets better! And yes, Artemis is a girl's name but there you go =P You first meet him when he's about 12 and by the end I believe he is about 18 so it's quite a journey as you can tell. I've grown a fond attachment to Artemis as you literally watch him grow up before your eyes and you watch him overcome obstacles in life as well as meet new friends, such as Holly Short who I also love as she's such a badass! By the way, she's also a fairy but I won't give too much away so you'll have to read it for yourself. Also, I believe that the author's name is pronounced 'Owen' if I'm not mistaken. 

There are 8 books in this series as follows:

1. Artemis Fowl

2. Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident

3. Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code

4. Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception

5. Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony

6. Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox

7: Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex

8. Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian

Here's the blurb of the first book:

Artemis Fowl is a 12 year old genius born into the Fowl dynasty, that is, he is heir apparent and an already accomplished master of criminal activities that have founded the Fowl empire; he also has every intention of continuing in his father's footsteps. With his manservant, bodyguard and all round unstoppable man mountain, Butler, Artemis proceeds in his plan to replenish the family coffers with gold... lots of it. But this is no ordinary gold he has his sights on, this is Fairy gold, but then Artemis is no ordinary 12 year old.

So there you have it! Three more book series to have a look at if they have caught your interest! If you do decide to read them then I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

See you next week!
Ash xx

January Favourites - Lollie

Hello there everybody, Welcome back to another Friday with me, Lollie. So January is over tomorrow and I am going to do my January favourites today and I'm going to do it every month.

Okay, here goes!

Monthly playlist

- Top of the world by Greek Fire

- Worthy by Jacob Banks

- Yearning by Kitty Brucknell

- Glitter in The Sky  by Kitty Brucknell

- Where's The Fire  by Kitty Brucknell

- Naked Truth by Kitty Brucknell

- I Know Things Now by Lilla Crawford from the film 'Into the Woods'

- Agony by Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen from the film 'Into the Woods'

- Love Don't Roam by Neil Hannon from Doctor Who

- The Long Song by Murray Gold from Doctor Who

- I Can't Decide by Scissor Sisters

- Geronimo by Aura Dione

- Chances by Athlete

- 23:59 by McBusted

- Black Black Heart by David Usher

- All the Things She Said by t.A.T.u.

Song

My favourite song from this playlist is Top of the World by Greek Fire as it is the song on the trailer for Big Hero 6!

Film

Big Hero 6 is out today in the UK, however I have watched it online before hand and I'm going to see it tonight. I don't know why I love the film, I just do. I think it's the whole Marvel and Disney mix and the fact that Hiro, the main character looks like Jack Frost (Rise of The guardians) and Hiccups (HTTYD) son... Ash will agree with me on that one!

Beauty Product

Okay, anyone that knows me, knows that I have a great obsession with Carmex lip balm... I own seven of them - SEVEN! That's one for each of the sweethearts! They just sooth my lips and I always find myself applying more when my lips feel a little bit dry. It's got to the point where I panic if I don't have one of the tubes on my because I constantly feel like my lips are going to crack. I think I have a problem...

Game

I have 2 favourite games this month - The Sims 4 on my Laptop and Shades on my IPhone. I kind of got Belle addicted to Sims 4 and she got me addicted to Shades! Check both of them out! The Sims 4 is about £30 depending on where you buy it and Shades is free to download from the app store.

App

I think this app is the favourite of all the sweethearts this month - Polyvore! It is a fashion app that can be used on a mobile and on the computer and it makes anyone look they have a sense of fashion. You can create outfits and share them with other people.

TV show

Broadchurch, Broadchurch, Broadchurch, Broadchurch! David Tennant and Olivia Coleman are absolutely perfect working together as Hardy and Miller. Also, Broadchurch is full of plot twist and keeps you gripped! The only annoying thing is if you miss a split second you miss a lot. Summer and Payton understand my feelings about it.

Actor

John Simm, okay right. He is one of the best actors I've come across. He's amazing in Doctor Who as The Master, as Jipp in human Traffic, as Sam Tyler in Life on Mars and in Hamlet on stage. I can't stop watching the films and TV shows he's been in - Doctor Who, Life on Mars, The Devil's Whore, Prey, Human Traffic.

Singer

My favourite singer is Kitty Brucknell. She is running for Moldova in the Eurovision this year with her song Remix, I would recommend a listen to it on Youtube

Food

I have this thing for apple Nutrigrain bars ( or bras... Bri knows). It got to the point where I ate 12 in one weekend - yeah I like them that much.

Book

Geek Girl - Picture Perfect by Holly Smale. I will be doing a review on the new instalment of the series - Geek Girl - All that Glitters, when it comes out, so you have to look forward to that.

That is all for now. I hope you enjoyed this and you do go and check a few of these out. I'll be back next Friday in February ( as if it's February all ready) with the next in the series of Lollie's brain!

Until next time, Allons-y!

Lollie xx

January Favourites! - Tuesdays with Ash

Hey guys! =D

Ash here with my January favourites!! I know for a fact that a lot of bloggers will be doing this thing around about now so I thought, why not join in?

1. Since I just can't choose one song, I have decided to name my top 3: 'You Ruin Me' by The Veronicas, 'Air Guitar' by McBusted and 'Up' by Olly Murs featuring Demi Lovato. 
2. I've been loving the book The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (aka: J. K. Rowling!) and I plan to finish it very soon!
3. My favourite film has to be Big Hero 6 (which I'm sure Lollie will agree with me on this one!) as I fell in love with the characters and Baymax is just so damn cute!
4. I've been hooked on the TV series recently called In The Flesh and I am so disappointed that it won't be sticking around for a third season! So much wasted potential!! =(
5. This one is going to be quite random but I got a Lynx Attract For Her deodorant body spray for Christmas and it smells gorgeous! It also comes with a shower gel and I've been using that too! Unfortunately though it's limited addition so I'm going to have to stock up on them quickly!
6. Another beauty/healthcare product is AVON Ultra-Moisturising Body Lotion and it does exactly what it says! Also, it's floral scented and smells lovely.
7. One last beauty/healthcare product is my Garnier Exfobrusher and I use this in the shower every other day. It has really helped to clear up my spots recently!

Right, that should be enough I think! Heh, what a coincidence... 7 is my lucky number! =3

I'll see you guys next week for my second instalment of writing tips! Sorry that this post wasn't very long!

Ash xx