Get mentions for it

song of the day - Juice by Chance the Rapper

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team.

Last summer I had a go at Bout of Books, a week long read-a-thon (read the official blurb above), and
one of my 101 things in 1001 days tasks is to take part in another bout. The next Bout starts in 12 days, and I cannot wait to get started!
I've already decided on the goals I am setting for myself, wish me luck!
Goals

1. Read a self help book
2. Read The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
3. Read 1,000 pages
4. Take part in at least 1 challenge

I will be updating this post with my progress.

Updates
Monday
Pages read: 14
Total Number of books read: 0
Challenges completed: If you like X, try Y
Not a great day page wise. Hopefully with tomorrow off I can get a lot read.
Tuesday
Pages read: 257 (271)

Total Number of books read: 0
Challenges completed: None.

Wednesday

Pages read: 0 (271)

Total Number of books read: 0
Challenges completed: 0
Well, today was a fail. 

Thursday

Pages read: 43 (314)

Total Number of books read: 1
Challenges completed: 0
Well, at least one of my goals has been completed. By the looks of it it might be the only one.

Friday

Pages read: 15 (329)

Total Number of books read: 1
Challenges completed: 0

Saturday

Pages read: 247 (576)

Total Number of books read: 1
Challenges completed: 0

Sunday

Pages read: 0 (576)

Total Number of books read: 1
Challenges completed: 0

So, this was not the most sucesful read-a-thon for me. I managed to complete 2 of my goals (numbers 1 and 4). For the self help book I read The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli. It feels like I've been none stop for the past few weeks. 

Rubi xxx

A Glimmer Of The Suns Rays

song of the day - Sunny Days by Kid British

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I am loving it! It's not warm enough to go out without a cardi yet, but as long as the sun stays out I don't mind. I hope the weather is as good wherever you are.

 boots - Bertie

tee and shorts - Primark. leggings - H&M. cardi - knitted by either my mum or nanna.

Rubi xxx

England have my bones

song of the day - Future Starts Slow by The Kills

It's safe to say that I am a Primark lover. It's kind of hard not to be with Primani prices. When I go shopping is it my first port of call. I just can't help myself. So when I met up with a friend a few days ago we had to visit Primark, and I did end up with a few things. I managed to say no to this dress though, which shows a little self restraint on my part.

£6

I've seen this Bambi tee on a few blogs recently, and I just couldn't help myself. I do wish Flower (my favourite Bambi character) was on it though.

£12 

Primark is full of Marvel related items at the moment, and I just love this sketchy design.

£3

Have you found anything nice in Primark recently?
Rubi xxx

Bottles in the club

song of the day - Lollipop by Lil' Wayne

It's pretty much fact that I have a sweet tooth the size of Jupiter, and I love trying new sweets.

While I was ill I decided it was time to treat myself to some edible goodies. As I was trawling through American Sweets (my usual haunt for Poptarts and Reese's Pieces) trying to decide what to get I saw three mystery boxes on offer. I wasn't too bothered about two of the boxes (both filled with drinks), but the Candy Roulette box sounded right up my alley, costing £12.99 with a value of over £25.

My package arrived today and I couldn't wait to get my mitts into it. Once I'd looked through the box (and added up the cost of the items) I decided on what I'm keeping to try, what I'm giving my mum, and what's going to friends. All together the items cost around £26, which isn't too bad, and I knew there'd be a few things that I woudn't like to try. Overall I think it was a good spend. I can't wait to start munching!

I am a little tempted to add the box to my birthday wishlist so I can see what I get next time. It would make a nice present. Along with a toothbrush.

Items included (I will edit this post to show if I like the items)

1. Coconut patties - That went straight to my mum
2. Megaload, caramel crunch - Very nice, but I probably wouldn't buy them.
3. Cupcake Bites - Nice, I think they would be great with icecream
4. Lemonhead - OK, A bit like skittles
5. Abba Zaba - Very odd. It's a strawberry candy bar filled with peanut butter. Not my thing at all.
6. Warheads Extreme Sours - They ain't lieing about extreme. The sour only lasts a few seconds though, and then they don't taste so great. I'm giving the rest of the packet away.
7. Grape Laffy Taffy - Yummy
8. mini Apple Laffy Taffy - More yummy
9. Baby Ruth - Basically a snicker
10. Hershy's with Almonds
11. Pearson's Bun - I had maybe two bites and it wasn't good
12. 100 Grand
13. Mike & Ike - Pretty much jelly beans
14. Reese's Crispy Crunch - I've tried this before and didn't like it, so I'll give this to a friend
15. Reese's Pumpkin - I love it. I couldn't taste any pumpkin though.
16. Sour Patch Fruits - Nice enough
17. Nerds - Going to a friend
18. Hoppin Nerds - Gave me a headache
19. Airheads - It was ok, but had the consistency of gum which was weird
20. Cow Tales - Not the best
21. Scooter Pie - Going to someone else
22. Giant Gumball - Meh, good for nostalgia but not much else
23. RockyRoad - Going to someone else
24. Red Hots - Nice, I remember having something similar as a child, I think they were called fireballs.

I also ended up buying two chocolate frogs and some Reese's Pieces.
Have you tried any of the items in this box? What did you think of them? And most importantly, what is your favourite sweet/chocolate (aka what do I try next)?

Rubi x

Of the bluebirds when she sings

song of the day - Daydream Believer by the Monkeys

Spring is here. Flowers are in bloom, bare legs are everywhere, and the sun is out. Kind of. So today I'm going to share a few of my favourite trends for Spring 2014. I very much look forward to seeing these trends on the streets (and the blogs).

l-r Max Marra, Theyskens Thoery, Zadig & Voltaire.

First up is the slip dress. I've been rewatching a few of my childhood favourites recently (Sister, Sister, In The House, Fresh Prince, and a few Mary Kate and Ashley films), and what the stars of the day were wearing is what are in shops again.
The slip dress is light and flowy, and can be layered for safety (I've yet to find a slip dress that doesn't slip a little too much).

l-r Asos £35, Zara £45.99, Topshop £65, Asos £22.

l-r BCBG, Rachel Zoe, Michael Kors. 

Next up is a year round favourite of mine. Wide leg trousers. I've been looking for a good pair since January, but until recently I couldn't find them anywhere. I've spotted a lovely pair in Zara that I may purchase next time I go shopping.

l-r Zara £19.99, River Island £35, Forever 21 £16.75 & £19.75.

l-r Rebecca Taylor, Burberry, DKNY.

Of course, what would spring be without an abundance of pastel shades. Right now I'm really loving the pale blue that seems to be everywhere. I'm not too fond of the name of this colour, according to Pantone it is 'Placid Blue', but what can you do.

l-r Select £8 & £10.99, New Look £7, Zara £25.99.

What trends are you looking forward to seeing in the coming months?

Rubi xxx

In the same exact pattern

song of the day - Crazy in Love by Eminem

image source: Revenge wikia

One of my favourite shows at the moment is Revenge. It has it all; intrigue, drama, and more cheesiness than a packet of wotsits. The programme also has some of the best outfits. From Vera Wang, to Burberry, the women of the Hamptons sure know how to dress. Or at least the costume department knows how to dress them.

image source:rougevogue: dress by Vera Wang

Victoria probably has the best wardrobe. This lady never wears the same dress twice, and always looks fierce as hell. The costume department tailor the outfits to perfection, and Victoria always looks flawless.

If only I had the money (and occasion) to wear dresses like this.

image source: People: dress by Vera Wang

image source: You

Emily, the main character in Revenge, pretty much has three outfit settings: little miss innocent, laid-back casual, and woman on a mission. Whether that mission is kicking some butt, or making a certain male jealous, it changes from time to time.

image source:Knoji

image source: EW

And we can't forget about the men. Nolan Ross definitely has his own unique sense of style, I'm not completely sure how to even explain it. It's very clean, but also very eclectic.

image source:youknowyoulovefashion

image sources:worn on tv dress by Saks, necklace by Zara, style bistro dress by Azzedine Alaia, glamour dress by BCBG

Other notable mentions are Margaux (she's french, she's cute, and she knows how to work it), Ashley (the fashionista), and Charlotte (I hate the character but I love the clothes).

Rubi xxx