Some bands I like - 2014 Blogger Challenge

So I thought I would post some videos of bands that I like. I've seen all but Within Temptation live and all were amazing. If Within Temptation were to perform in New Zealand, I'd be there in a heartbeat.

Foo Fighters - Walk

Within Temptation - Whole World is Watching ft. Dave Pirner

Nightwish - Storytime

Linkin Park - Iridescent

My Autumn Style (because it's not Spring here!) - Blogger Challenge 2014

Well, the theme for the challenge this time round was 'Spring OOTD'. 
I don't live in the Northern Hemisphere so obviously it's not Spring. So I changed it to Autumn OOTD. 
It hasn't been hugely cold yet, and still muggy here in Auckland. We had the remnants of a tropical cyclone come through yesterday causing havoc (so fun to drive to work in...not)
So bearing in mind that there will start to be a nip in the air before long (it's already been a bit cold at night), I thought I'd share a few outfits that I think are cute coming into the cooler weather.

For this I decided to have a look at what I'd pinned on pinterest. I'm not one to go for one particular look but in general I love polka dots, and love to wear a bit of colour with black.

So without further ado here are a few bits and bobs that I love and think will be awesome for autumn.

Source: http://politicsofmonogramming.tumblr.com/post/68949672296

This dress is beautiful. I love the colour, cut and the lace. Team this with a pair of black tights and some nice ankle boots and you have a winner. You could also wear a nice little black cardi over the top if it was a bit chilly. With dresses like this I'm very conscious of it coming down long enough at the back as I'm quite tall. It'd have to come down at least halfway down my thighs.

Source: http://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/6056101/il_570xN.226187299.jpg

I love tights that are coloured, patterned, or even better, BOTH! Especially when they're teamed up with ankle boots. I would only ever wear patterned tights with a plain skirt though, otherwise it's too much.

Source: http://www.downtownoffprice.com/content/images/thumbs/0006807_wholesale-polka-dot-top-s-m-l-7pcs.jpg

I just HAD to have something with polka dots on my list. I love the look of this and could easily imagine myself wearing this with skinny jeans or some pants. Polka dots are my friend and I can't imagine life without them. Whenever I see something dotty I stop and look at it. I just have to. I can't help it.

2014 blogger challenge - Day in Pictures

So I almost forgot about this topic as I've been sick the past few days. But was feeling alright by lunchtime today but forgot to take any photos on my lunch out with friends. So I'm going to borrow some pictures from the net to show yesterday and lunch today.

How I was feeling all day yesterday

Went to the coffee club for lunch (photo from their website)

Had a bagel with cream cheese for lunch. First thing I'd eaten besides crackers in 24 hours

Food glorious food - 2014 Blogger Challenge

I love food.

There, I said it.

There are very few things I don't eat (that are food, anyways). And I'll try anything once.

So, rather than a list of things I like (I'd be typing for hours and hours and hours), I'll type a list of things I don't like (that I've tried).

Foods I dislike:

1) Liver (I find it tastes gross)
2) Cheesecake (there's something in the texture that just makes me gag)
3) Overly sickly sweet fudge. (Someone else can have that).
4) Extremely spicy things that make my mouth go on fire, drowning out any taste.

So, if you ever invite me over for a meal, chances are, I'll eat what's put in front of me. You just need to adhere to the list above.

Oh, and I'm sure there's other things out there that I don't like...I just haven't tried them yet :D

Natural Nails - 2014 blogger challenge

So this time the topic is nails.

I like my nails. I get so many compliments on them and how nice they are. I can grow them quite long naturally. They're a nice shape naturally and the only thing I have to do to maintain them is cut them every now and then before they get too annoying.
I've only had fake nails once and I HATED them. Kept picking at them and I think they looked way worse than my natural nails.
People are always asking me what I do to keep my nails so nice and the truthful answer is NOTHING. I hardly ever paint them. I only ever paint them for a party or a special event. I don't use any treatments.

My nails a few years back. Haven't changed much since then

Value for money

The fourth topic of the Blogger Challenge is to talk about high end products.

My problem with this topic is that I don't even really know what that is. I go for value for money. If a certain product does what I want better than cheaper options, then I might pay more for it but that's not always the case.

I once splashed out and bought a whole heap of Clarins products which cost me quite a bit of money. I'd much rather spend my money elsewhere. So now, whenever I need a new product I'll do a bit of research first and decide which product will do what I want for the least amount of money. Of course, sometimes this doesn't work out amazingly. But then, you just try a different product until you find one that  you think is perfect for you.

It's the same with clothes. I like to buy clothes that suit me. I'm not worried about brand or anything like that. I'm just worried about if it suits me and what quality it is. Sometimes with clothing, it does mean spending a bit more than you would on cheap clothes from, say, The Warehouse, but it will last longer.

So, all in all, I think it all depends on what YOU want from a product. I just want to be happy, and save money for things I really want (like a holiday).

(Do not claim this photo as my own. From RadioLive website)

Book Review - Wheel of Time series

Now, I know that the third challenge was for a normal book review, but I'm enjoying the Wheel of Time series to much I thought I'd do it on what I've read so far.

All in all, there are 14 books in the series and I'm up to book 8 "The Path of Daggers".

The Wheel of Time is a fantasy series set in a world where the 'Dark One' is trying to take over. The 'Dragon Reborn' is a man who is trying to counter that. He has many people who try to help in various ways. There are his friends Mat and Perrin who are also very influential. There's also some very strong female characters in the form of the Aes Sedai  and Wise Ones (women who can use magic).

The Wheel of Time series is great in that it explores different cultures and the interactions between them. Also, the interactions between the different characters is amazing. They really do seem like real people.

While reading this series you really feel as though you're almost experiencing what's happening - or at least watching from afar. There's always something different going on and there are many different storylines to follow that all interlink in some way.

I try to read one chapter a night but sometimes I find myself reading much more (much to my husband's annoyance - but it's his fault, he introduced me to the series).

If you've never tried reading a fantasy series, then I suggest this one. If you are a woman like me who never read fantasy until her husband recommended it, then I suggest giving it a go. Especially if you choose a book that has strong female characters.