July book of the month | stylenua

Hey everyone,

This month I read a lot of books, but one in particular stood out to me, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. 

This book is a fictional retelling of the story of Ancient Greek hero Achilles, a significant figure in the Trojan war. The story is told by Patroclus, the best friend of Achilles, from the time they meet as young boys, to their adult lives. This book came highly recommended to me from friends and also from bloggers on tumblr who are interested in mythology and classics like I am.

Before reading this book I didn’t actually have much knowledge on Achilles, apart from what I would have heard in passing in other mythological stories. Throughout my reading of the book, however, I found myself wanting to know every recorded detail of Achilles. I don’t think this was a bad thing, though. It’s always good to learn new things, even if those new things are random facts about Ancient Greek epics!

The book itself was extremely easy to read which I loved, and told the story in a simple but beautiful way. In one way it’s hard to believe that Madeline Miller spent ten years writing this book because it flows so well, but in another way you can tell she put her heart and soul into this book, from the masses of historical research she must have done, to the eloquent language that she uses. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Ancient Greece or just a well told story, but be warned: you will be emotionally traumatised after reading it. No classical epic is complete without heartache.

Let me know what book you have been reading this month and what your opinion of it is on twitter or instagram. Happy reading!

Much love,

JMG, stylenua.

Bare Minerals Up Close & Beautiful | stylenua

Hey everyone,

This is going to be a short post, but I wanted to share with you something that I’m starting, and that is the Bare Minerals Up Close & Beautiful 30-day complexion starter kit. 

This is one of the starter kits available from Bare Minerals and I am really looking forward to reviewing it so stay tuned for a full review.

I have used the kit twice so far, and both times have been impressed with the look and feel of the products on my skin so as long as that continues, this Bare Minerals selection will remain one that I use.

Check back soon for an updated review of this product!

Much love,

JMG, stylenua.

Travels | stylenua

Hey everyone,

Today I would like to share with you some advice for travelling, whether it be during your summer break or at any time during the year when you decide to get a change of scenery. Travelling is, to many people, stressful and difficult to manage. However, I find the act of travelling from place to place extremely therapeutic. There is something so calming about the steady motion of a train or the many sights to be seen from the window seat of a bus. Even long-distance trips in a car can be interesting, provided there are a few bathroom stops and enough snacks to last the journey. That said, there are a few things that should be planned beforehand so there is as little stress involved as possible for you and anyone travelling with you.

• When making travel plans, try to book any transport, accommodation and activities ahead of time. It will mean you won’t have to worry about availability, and may also work out cheaper.
• Bring as much food with you as you can and take advantage of picnic benches. For as long as I can remember, my family have had picnics when we went on trips, be they day trips or long car journeys to a holiday destination. The price of food can also be very high in cities, so any chance to save money is good - not just for students!
• Plan your days so that you get the most out of your destination and journey as possible. There is nothing worse than a day wasted on unmade plans. Even if it’s just as simple as a walk in a park or a quick swim in the sea, use your time wisely to make as many memories as you can. You’ll thank yourself later.
• Travel with friends or family! This one seems so obvious, and don’t underestimate it. As peaceful as travelling on your own can be, sometimes it’s better to have someone to share the memories with you. You’ll have someone to talk to, eat with, and a (maybe) willing photographer to capture you in this new place.
• Pack light, so you don’t have too much to carry. The worst thing on a holiday or short break is lugging around a heavy bag - or bags. Economising your luggage will probably make you feel less stressed too, you won’t have as many things to pack which means you can get it done much quicker. Double up the use of things, roll your clothes instead of folding, wear the heaviest shoes you’re bringing, or easier still, just bring one pair. Trust me on this, you’ll be glad you packed light if you’re doing a lot of walking.
• Finally, appreciate all of the new things you see. I am a firm believer in finding beauty in everything I see, and being a tourist is a perfect addition to that mentality, because that is what people do when they are tourists. Don’t forget to seek out the beauty in even the most simple things, like the cup of tea you have with your hotel breakfast, the quaint cafés on side streets of big cities or the smile the bus driver has when you thank them for the journey (something you should always do!).

Wherever you are travelling to this summer, I wish you many adventures and joys on your journey. Enjoy yourselves, and leave a comment telling me where you want to travel to most!

Much love,

JMG, stylenua.

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14275581/?claim=utkpgh43r2y">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Personal style | stylenua

Hey everyone,

Today I wanted to talk about something that is a huge part of all of our lives, and that is our personal style. Fashion and style are two very different things and I consider myself a style blogger over a fashion blogger. I don’t follow fashion trends closely and I certainly cannot afford designer clothes, but would like to think that I have a good sense of style.

It always surprises me that many people don’t know the difference between fashion and style. Fashion is the trends in shops and various fashion houses, but style is something extremely unique and personal to everyone. Style also spans into more than just clothing: style is also the way you do your hair, or makeup, or the design of your bedroom.

Let me use my style as an example. Most of my clothes are in dark colours. I think that dark colours suit me, and a lot of the people whose style I admire also wear dark clothes (see Lauren Jauregui, Taylor Momsen, Debby Ryan, Troye Sivan, Zendaya Coleman, and all of the characters in AHS: Coven). Again, these people are also involved in the music I listen to and the TV show I watch so that is another element of my personal style. My hairstyles and past hair colours have been influenced by the many styles of Hayley Williams of Paramore and YouTuber and musician Emma Blackery. All of these things summed up creates what I deem to be my personal style, and a large amount of the things I am interested in.

In true tumblr fashion, your style is quite like your aesthetic: “A set of principles underlying the work of a particular artist or artistic movement” (oxforddictionaries.com). Think of your personal style like the artistic movement that you are creating to show to the world. Your personal style represents your personality, influences, hopes, dreams, strengths, best features. Your personal style could be largely influenced by 60s American culture, or by the profession you are in, but regardless, that is yours and no one can tell you what your personal style is. If you don’t know what your personal style is then take a look at the clothes you wear, the films you watch, the books you read, the music you listen to, and the people whose style you admire: they are all things that influence your personal style. Then just tailor it to suit your mood and you have your own unique personal style!

I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know what influences your personal style and if you like the style of anyone/thing that I have mentioned!

Much love,

JMG, stylenua.