Category: reviews

books, reviews

Book Preview: We Were The Lucky Ones – Georgia Hunter

ramblingmads

Based on the true story of the author’s family, this amazing, heartbreaking story of one family’s survival amidst the horrors of the Second World War and Holocaust. 

The Kurc family live peacefully in Poland, as they have done for generations amongst until war breaks out. Their Jewish faith condemns them to the terrors of a continent torn apart. 

There are some real heart wrenching moments, and the fact that the author’s relatives actually lived this story is just incredible, they are so brave and strong and endure so much. It’s not really a surprise Hunter’s grandfather never spoke about his past. 

I loved this book, it really drew me into the family, each member drawn so beautifully, so alive on the page. 

The book is published in the UK on the 21st of September, which gives you just enough time to pre-order it from your preferred purveyor of books.  

beauty, beauty boxes, birchbox, make up, reviews, skincare

Birchbox x Oliver Bonas 

ramblingmads

September’s Birchbox is in collaboration with lifestyle brand Oliver Bonas. 

There was an option to select your box design and to add a candle as an upgrade. 

Inside the box are 4 sample size items and one full size, as well as some stickers and a discount voucher for Oliver Bonas.
R+Co High Dive Moisture & Shine Cream sample size (full size RRP £23) – this is designed to smooth flyaway hair and add shine. It can also be used as a leave-in conditioner. I like a double duty product and this smells pretty inoffensive. 
Manna Kadar Fantasy 3 in 1 Blush, Highlighter, Eyeshadow full size (RRP £15) – this is way too dark for me to use as a blush or highlighter but I think it would make a nice eyeshadow. 

Polaar IcyMagic Instant Eye Contour Energiser sample size (full size RRP £22) – roll on eye gel to refresh and revive tired eyes, bags and dark shadows. 

Dr PawPaw Original Clear Balm sample size (full size RRP £6.95) – this is a handbag hero – lipbalm, hand cream, split end soother, dry skin moisturiser. Shame they didn’t put a full size tube in the box, it’s not exactly pricey. 

Rouge Bunny Rouge Bronzing Glow Liquid sample size (full size RRP  £51) – this should be an added extra not a product, it’s piddly. This is way too dark for me too, although the suggested use is mixed with a little moisturiser or lotion, which presumably dilutes it. 

The candle is bergamot and mint and matches the box, I like the drawer design. It smells quite nice but the bergamot isn’t particularly distinct, which is a shame as I really like bergamot and buy perfumes that contain it. 

Overall this box was a bit uneven, good mix of products but too many tiny samples, which makes it feel less like a treat and more like I wandered around the beauty department and got given some handouts. The candle was a nice add on but it costs an extra £8, which seems excessive as Oliver Bonas isn’t exactly hard up as a company and could have been more generous. 

fun stuff, lifestyle, reviews

Birthday Wishlist with Uncommon Goods

ramblingmads

Next week is my birthday and while I generally don’t go mad for present requests, when Uncommon Goods got in touch and asked if I’d like to make a wishlist from their incredible range of gifts, I said yes.

Uncommon Goods was founded in New York by Dave Bolotsky, inspired by the collections of the Smithsonian Museum, he wanted to curate a place for independent artists to sell their handmade, unique pieces. The company focuses on sustainability, and work in an ethical way, giving back to non-profits with every purchase through their Better to Give program.  

I love working with companies like this, I strongly support independent businesses and artisans and this is a great way to discover some amazing artists and their creations that you might otherwise miss in all the noise of the internet.

Dare I mention it, but the C-word (the nice one) is just around the corner but don’t worry, the gang at Uncommon Goods have got you. With everything from curated lists of gifts for your best friend to the hard to buy for teens there’s something for everyone. I will certainly be buying some of these beautiful things for my friends and family. 

So here is my list! Presents are always welcome at ramblingmads ☺

Elwood the Rainbow Unicorn MugHow cute is this guy? And he’s called Elwood, which makes me think of The Blues Brothers. One of my favourite films. So I need my hot chocolate in my Elwood the unicorn mug, feet up watching Elwood & Jake Blues please! 

Literary Scarves

I’m a massive book fan and a literary scarf would be fantastic, maybe not Jane Austen though as I’m not a fan, but I do love an infinity scarf. I like the idea of wearing a book around your neck. Perfect for when I get bored on the Tube and I’ve finished my book. 

C:\Users\Madeleine.Fenner\Pictures\Eye Glasses Holder _ Wooden Nose Eyeglass Holder _ UncommonGoods_files\19079_1_360px.jpg I am always losing my glasses so this chap would be really handy and turn my wandering specs into a piece of art at the same time. I love the big nose, mine’s not quite as chunky, I hope!

C:\Users\Madeleine.Fenner\Pictures\Foodie Dice _ fun cooking games, dinner ideas _ UncommonGoods_files\25386_1_360px.jpg

Food is a big part of my life but sometimes I find it hard to get into cooking dinner every day, these foodie dice might just put the fun back into meal times. Certainly might get me experimenting with new combinations. 

C:\Users\Madeleine.Fenner\Pictures\Positive Energy Necklace _ Silver Positive Message Necklace _ UncommonGoods_files\21341_1_360px.jpg

I love pretty jewellery and I can always use some positivity, attracting good vibes is definitely a bonus. I also like the pairing of gold and silver charms, it’ll go with any outfit. 

C:\Users\Madeleine.Fenner\Pictures\Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden _ Grow Your Own Herbs _ UncommonGoods_files\43428_1_640px.jpg

Finally, this beautiful and fun indoor herb garden would go really nicely in my kitchen and because of the clever hydroponic system I might even manage to keep these plants alive. 

*while this is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own. 


 

books, reviews

Book Review: The Fact of a Body – Alexandria Marzano-Lesenevich 

ramblingmads


I don’t really like true crime books, they’re often poorly written and lurid but this is nothing like those. Subtitled A Murder and a Memoir, this is not only the story of one terrible crime, but also a moving meditation on family, innocence and healing. 

Marzano-Lesenevich was an intern for famed lawyer Clive Stafford Smith when she started to investigate the case of one of his clients, Ricky Langley, a convicted paedophile who murdered a young boy, Jeremy Guillory in Louisiana in 1992 and was given the death penalty, which on appeal was commuted to life in prison. 

Combined with this case history is Marzano-Lesenevich’s own story. Hers is not a happy one either, life was often cruel and confusing and she is open about the hardships she too has suffered. 

A masterful writer, who manages to weave these disparate narrative strands together in a very compelling read. 

A mixture of court transcripts, reports and reconstructed scenes provide the story of Ricky, and Jeremy, while the author’s own memories and occasional family conversation build into her own. 

This was much more readable than I’m probably making it sound, and I was really fascinated. Obviously it’s not the cheeriest of reads, it is certainly an interesting one. 

beauty, reviews, skincare

Skincare Review: Oyster Brightening Eye Serum

ramblingmads

I have terrible dark shadows under my eyes and when I haven’t slept very well they look more like bruises. 

So when the team behind this British skincare company got in touch and asked if I wanted to try their brightening eye serum I said yes. 


With skin friendlies like Hyaluronic acid, co-enzyme Q10, Pentapeptides and green tea, I found this to be quite gentle on my sensitive skin, which is really important to me.  

You only need a tiny bit twice a day patted gently under the eye and along the brow bone. 

It smells quite pleasant too – with lavender, grapefruit and mandarin.  

While I don’t think anything will completely erase my dark circles, except maybe several nights of proper sleep (I wish), this was nice and cooling – and my skin felt soft and smooth after using this for several weeks. 

You can buy the serum from Amazon or visit the website.  

*while I was gifted this item all opinions are my own*

books, Illumicrate, reviews

Book Review – Wonder Woman: Warbringer – Leigh Bardugo

ramblingmads

This book came in my recent Illumicrate and I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive about it. I haven’t seen the Wonder Woman film for a variety of reasons. But this isn’t a novelization of the film or really part of that narrative. 
Bardugo wrote some of my favourite recent fantasy books (The Grisha trilogy, Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom), which meant I knew she could write but working with existing characters is not always a good idea (see some of the many recent continuation novels from Sophie Hannah, Anthony Horowitz etc, a rather uneven territory). 

However I was pleasantly surprised by her treatment of the DC super hero. Starting on the secret island Wonder Woman hails from, the novel really gets going once she leaves Themyscria for our modern world. 

Having saved Alia from a sinking ship and broken one of the laws of the Amazons, Diana must leave or face banishment. An ancient bloodline is also in play – and the end of the world could be nigh. 

In the end I read this very quickly, it certainly made my commute fly by, and it was really enjoyable. I hope this isn’t the one off it seems, Bardugo is a great writer and I really like the voice she gives to Wonder Woman. 

Have you read this book? Seen the film? Have anything you want to share? The comments section is waiting for you. 

adventures in post, boxcitement, fun stuff, lifestyle boxes, reviews, stationery

Boxcitement August – Fantasy Island 

ramblingmads

I treated myself to a little bit of fun this month with this box from Boxcitement. 

Inside the Fantasy Island themed box are a collection of items to celebrate dreams, fantasies and wishes. 

🦄 unicorn trinket dish

🦄 flamingo pendant 

🦄 eye mask 

🦄 greetings card

🦄 planner pad 

🦄 doughnut pen

🦄 mermaid wrapping paper

🦄 ‘mergoat’ pin 

This box is fun, whimsical and brightly coloured. I really enjoyed opening it all up and seeing all the bits inside. 

beauty, beauty boxes, birchbox, glossybox, make up, reviews

Box Round Up feat. Glossybox, Birchbox, Glitterati

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I am giving up on beauty boxes I think. I have ordered a Me Love Beauty bag but you pick the products so I can only blame myself if I don’t love it. 

Glossybox 

Another pretty box not in the usual livery. The blue is quite nice. Inside are a selection of beauty products – mostly make up and hair care. 

🍍Sportfx Time Out Mist + Fix

🍍Model Launcher Safari Sun Bronzed 

🍍Valquer Ice Hair Mask, Total Repair 

🍍Batista 2in1 Dry Shampoo & Conditioner Vanilla & Passionflower

🍍Rodial Suede Lips 

Birchbox 

Birchbox have gone with mermaids as their August theme. The drawer box is pretty in blue and purple. 

🐚Spectrum Collections A05 Brush

🐚LOC One and Done Shadow Stick in Rock Steady

🐚Number 4 Sugar Texturising Spray

🐚Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse OR Multi-Usage Dry Oil Shimmer

🐚Yes to Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Paper Mask 

Crown & Glory Glitterati Box

This was a new one for me. Accessories instead of beauty – but to be honest I just wasn’t that impressed. Sorry C&G, I’ll still buy your flower crowns though. 

🌟Glitter Passport Cover

🌟Glitter Bag Charm 

🌟Hair Charms 

🌟Hair Flair

🌟Super Sparkle Pots 

So there you go, three boxes for the month. If anyone can recommend a really good beauty box that doesn’t cost the earth and isn’t regularly disappointing, please tell me. 

books, reviews

Book Review: Strange the Dreamer – Laini Taylor 

ramblingmads

Oh Laini, why must you do this to me again? Last time it was the amazing Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy and now this, and the next (and final) book isn’t out till next year.

Laini Taylor is a masterful writer, and her world building is exquisite. Her characters make you fall for them effortlessly and then, then, those final words and you close the book and maybe I’m a little hormonal, but I wanted to cry. Partly because the ending was tinged with tragedy and hopelessness (dammit Laini! I don’t have any tissues) and partly because it was so good I was upset it was finished.

Lazlo Strange is a nobody librarian, an orphan raised by monks, a man with no past, and the most wonderful dreams. He believes deeply in magic and is fascinated by the Lost City, now known as Weep for its tragic past.

When an envoy from Weep arrives to find the best and brightest, the men and women who might aid the city, Lazlo joins them as secretary to the Godslayer himself, a man haunted by his past. As they cross the continent to the city Lazlo has often dreamed of, he finds there are more secrets in Weep than he ever could have imagined.

Lazlo finds family, love, magic, mystery and heartbreak in the city whose name was eaten by a god, where the people live in fear and are traumatised by their pasts.

Ok, that was a terrible description. But the book is so much better than I can make it sound without spoilers, and I don’t do spoilers.

If you love epic, brilliant fantasy, with great writing and compelling characters, read this (also read the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy – a favourite of mine) and then come and commiserate with me about the long wait till the sequel appears….

 

books, reviews

Book review: The Ninth Rain – Jen Williams 

ramblingmads

I won this book in a giveaway on Twitter and I was so pleased. I love Jen Williams’ Copper Cat trilogy, and couldn’t wait to get stuck into her new series. 
Luckily I wasn’t disappointed. As with her last series the story centres around a trio of misfit adventurers; Lady Vincenza ‘Vintage’ De Grazon, Tormalin the Oathless and Fell-Noon. 

These three odd fellows are drawn together into a tangle of conspiracy and war, complete with magic and chaos. 

An enemy thought long gone may rise again if they can’t bring back a dead god and save the world. 

Williams is a fantastic writer, she doesn’t sacrifice characters for plot or vice versa, which is often a struggle in fantasy writing. Her world building is consistent and highly imaginative. I got Miyazaki vibes from the creepy Behemoths and there’s an element of Norse mythology in the Eboran god, all of which I loved. 

I honestly cannot wait for the next book. The Ninth Rain is out now.