.Leanne Marie.

The book : The two of us

The Author : Andy Jones

Where to buy : Waterstones | Tesco | Amazon

Rating 3/5

This months book was my choice & I will admit, I chose it based on the cover and a very quick read of the blurb while doing my food shop in Tesco! Having never heard of Andy Jones before, and feeling pretty intrigued that this ‘chic lit style’ book was actually written by a man it went into my basket.

The entire story is focused about Ivy and Fishers relationship… they’ve not been together long and a few weeks down the line discover they are to be parents! We join them on this journey over the next 9 months. We witness the ups and downs both of pregnancy and their relationship with one another throughout this time. The book is told from Fishers point of view which I find really refreshing to hear it from the other side of the story. Often books of this nature are from the females perspective and you don’t really get an insight of what the man is feeling, thinking, or doing about the situation. The story is extremely heartwarming and what I feel is an honest representation of the feelings and motions that a newly formed couple would go through when put in this situation. Unplanned pregnancy does happen and there are some curve balls thrown in during the journey that have to be addressed whether you want to or not.

The book itself is a really easy read, if I hadn’t had a lot of things going on I could have finished this in a matter of days. That being said, as it did take me a little longer to read, it was one I could dip in and out of without any problems. Sometimes I get so gripped by the book I just have to keep reading to find out what happens next. However with The Two of Us I did feel some parts were a little predictable so I had no problems putting down the book to then pick it up and continue reading a couple of days later. Being an avid Chic Lit and easy read fan I didn’t find this too much of a problem but I know there are some people who wouldn’t like this element of the book. Perhaps it wouldn’t suck them in and dare I say it, they could get bored a little by the plot.

Overall I did enjoy the book. I liked that I was reading it from a different perspective as its not often you have a male lead character in books of this nature. Not ones where you get such an insight to what they are thinking & feeling about the situation anyway! Learning about Ivy and Fisher as people throughout this important time in their lives was great. Two people who seem quite opposite but somehow work together, a lot of honest, real emotion is present throughout the story. Like I previously said, if you are looking for a quick read for your holiday or something easy to read during your commute this is one I would recommend.

Have you read this book before? What did you think?

Don’t forget to heck out Lorna, Lizzie's and Charli’s posts to see what they thought of the book.

Click here to read last months blogger book club review: The day we disappeared by Lucy Robinson

Much love, 

I’m becoming a bit of a jewellery gal (maybe I’ve been talking to Lorna too much that girl loves a good layered necklace) These days I find myself browsing online for some form of jewellery over other accessories and dare I say it… sometimes even handbags! I like how much of a variety you can have when it comes to jewellery. One day you can go big with a statement necklace or multitude of bangles on your wrist, then next a minimalist approach with something simple like a plain bracelet or ring. I tend to keep things simple when it comes to outfits for work, I’m not a bit pattern girl really. Therefore I enjoy adding a nice bit of jewellery to accessorise an outfit whether it be something bold or dainty.

On one of my many browsing sessions I came across the designer Maria Black on the Avenue 32 website. For all you rose gold lovers out there. This is your gal! The collection available is small but all the pieces are beautiful. My favourites from this collection would have to be the Row Bangle and the Taylor ring. Both simple in design, they work well as single pieces. However one of the thought process Maria has behind her jewellery collection is that they are interchangeable and work well combined as well as on their own. By using a selection of precious metals &  a variety of shapes within the designs really helps with this. The necklaces can be layered, rings stackable & you can mix and match the earring designs to create something completely different.

I’ll admit the prices aren’t like your usual highstreet offerings, but I’ve turned into a bit of a quality over quantity person, so wouldn’t mind paying a bit extra for a special necklace or ring that I will get a lot of wear out of. Perhaps not a collection I could rush out and buy a lot of in one go, but over time I could add a few pieces into my jewellery box!

Do you go on the hunt for brands that aren’t as well known? I’m so pleased I discovered Maria Black, I’ll definitely be doing a bit more searching when looking for specific types of accessories. You can find some really nice designs if you put the time in to look.

Much love

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water – My go to for easy and quick makeup removal. I’ve tried a few micellar waters in the past but this has to be a favourite of mine, it’s one product I do repurchase regularly. It is unscented and doesn’t irritate my eyes at all which makes it perfect for removing my eyeshadow etc as well as any base makeup at the end of the day. I use this as step one for my double cleanse routine. Available in both large and small bottles it’s the perfect companion for a trip away. (125ML though so not totally hand luggage appropriate I am afraid) I know a lot of people have tried this and most get along with it. It’s a good product that does its job & won’t break the bank. A winner in my books. 

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel & the Magnitone Lucid brush* – Using these two products together have been an absolute dream. Dermalogica is a great brand that targets specific skin types with their products, however this cleansing gel is suitable for all. It is designed to remove your impurities without disturbing your skins natural moisture balance. I’ve been using this cleanser for a while now and I have to say I am loving the results. *Touchwood* I have okayish skin anyway, with the odd hormonal breakout, however even when it comes to ‘that time’ my skin has been behaving!  Using the Magnitone Lucid cleansing brush with it has been brilliant and so easy to use. This Electronic facial brush gently cleanses and exfoliates your skin. Again this is suitable for all skin types, regular use of the brush will help minimise your blackheads and breakouts. The one thing that I really love about the magnitone Lucid (not just that it comes in a gorgeous array of biright colours). You can actually use it in the bath or shower as it is waterproof. Making it easy to multitask when you are rushing in the morning to get ready for work! It has two settngs ‘Deep Clean’ or Sensitive. Simply turn on and wait for the beeps which come at 20 second intervals. Move from your forehead, to cheeks/nose to chin for an all over cleanse. It even shuts off after 1 minute so there’s no risk of going a bit OTT with your cleansing! So easy to use and takes no time at all! It also comes with a fancy wireless battery charger, which you only need to use every 2 weeks because the charge lasts ages! Have you tried a cleansing brush like this one before?

 The Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet – How I love this sorbet! It not only smells devine it’s ridiculously refreshing on your skin after you’ve completed your other skincare steps. My go to Moisturiser of the moment, it keeps my skin feeling so plump and hydrated. Again ANOTHER product suitable for all skin types so you can all try it! The Vitamin E Range is a popular one anyway but adding this to their line really stepped it up a bit. I’ve found it has been great on the really hot days where my skin has felt particularly parched! It’s £13.00 but The Body shop pretty much always have a sale on or some discount code floating about, definitely worth popping into your basket! 

What skincare bits have you been loving recently? Have you tried any of the products mentioned? 

Much love,