School is literally right around the corner now, meaning everyone is filled with a mixture of fear and excitement, whilst panicking that they have everything they need for the upcoming year. Since I've been getting stationery and other school supplies for quite some time now, I'm confident in myself that I know what to get, what I already have that doesn't need repurchasing and what isn't actually necessary. I thought I'd share my school necessities with you, so hopefully you'll remember everything you need and your first day back will run smoothly.

The first thing that is important for school is a diary or journal, as it is where you can keep track of your assignments, write your timetable and is essentially the key to staying organised. Some schools may provide you with one, but if not it's definitely worth going out to buy one, as this will help you to remember important dates such as exams and meetings, helping you to be prompt and prepared. I picked up this academic diary which has an owl made out of buttons on the front, which I thought was really cute and unique. It's lightweight, so it won't be a burden to carry around, and it is quite small, so I can easily slip it into my pocket. Inside, there is an overview of the year and a weekly calendar, with plenty of room to write different things on each day. There's also space at the back to write down important dates, store your school timetable and write notes.

Stationary is a necessity for school, as you don't want to be the person who has to constantly borrow a pen from someone else or never remembers the right equipment. My current pencil case is actually a makeup bag from Primark. It is beige and black, with monochrome snakeskin detailing on the front, which I think is really stylish and pretty. There are two pockets, which helps to make my pencil case less crowded and means that I can easily find things. In the front pocket, I keep some pens (my favourite being the Bic Round Sticks), some pencils, a ruler, rubber and pencil sharpener. In the back pocket, I keep some neon pink spare stationary, my maths set and some highlighters. I also carry my calculator with me, but this is kept in my pocket as it's too big for my pencil case.

To keep all of my revision notes and worksheets organised, I like to keep a ring binder dedicated to my classes, with dividers sectioning it for the different subjects. Although I never take this to school, it's a really useful way to store all of your work and instantly know where to find it. I plan on storing all of my work dedicated to GCSE's together, so I decided to use the same ring binder as last year and didn't need to buy a new one.

I also find plastic folders to be an essential for school and they are what I use to store these papers when I'm in school. I keep one of these in my school bag and use it to hold any homework assignments, revision notes and letters, to stop them getting crumpled in my bag or being disorganised. An A4 notebook is also a necessity, whether you use it for taking notes in class, writing homework assignments or making revision resources.

My glasses are important for school, as I need them for looking at the whiteboard and writing. Although I don't use them as often as I should, they're definitely helpful and do make it easier for my eyes to focus. The case fits perfectly inside my pocket and is quite lightweight, meaning I can easily keep them with me at all times and this stops me from losing them or forgetting to bring them to school.

Some other things that I like to throw in my school bag in case I need them are some tissues, body spray, hand gel, a paracetamol, a bobble, a mirror and some wax for my braces. You never know when you might need one of these, so it's handy to have them just in case. It's also better to be the prepared person who has anything they might need than the person who has to ask around for everything. A bottle of water and a snack are also optional for your school bag but are good for keeping you hydrated, alert and ready to learn throughout the day.

If there's any room left in your bag after that extensive list, you'll be able to store all of your school books and folders that you will get during the year. I know that it might seem like a lot of things to take to school, but this is just my essentials, so you can adapt and change this list to fit you and your school. I hope you liked this post and make sure you let me know down in the comments what your necessities for school are and if there's anything I've missed out.

Love from Daisy x

School is right around the corner, and with that comes a lot of anxious children and teenagers unsure what to expect from the upcoming year. Since I'm going into my fifth and final year of secondary school in September, I have quite a lot of experience and know how to easily solve your school related problems. I thought I would use this knowledge to answer some of the most common questions and worries that people have before going back to school, from getting lost to making new friends.


I've got some really important tests this year, but I have no idea how to revise, what should I do?
Revising is different for everyone, so I'd recommend exploring some different techniques to see what works for you. Personally, I like to type up all of my revision notes and reaffirm this knowledge by making flashcards and testing myself. Other techniques that I find useful are making posters, doing past papers, listening to podcasts, watching videos and working with friends. Make sure that you have a designated time and space to revise, allowing yourself to be mentally prepared, and have frequent breaks to keep your mind alert. I wrote a whole post about my Effective Revision Tips which you may find helpful.


What happens if I get lost in my new school?
This was one of my worries when I started secondary school, but it wasn't anywhere near as bad since we were given a map to use for the first few weeks and I stuck with my friends at all times. Needless to say, I still managed to get lost a few times, but there was always plenty of teachers and older pupils to guide me around the school. If you arrive late to a lesson after getting lost, apologise to the teacher and tell them that you're struggling to find your way. They will likely understand why you're late and realise that it's hard to adjust quickly, so they might not get mad at you.

I want to take part in extra-curricular activities, but I'm afraid I won't have enough time for schoolwork?
I've definitely been in this position before, and my advice is to never overload yourself with too many commitments and activities. Very recently, I took on more things than I could manage, resulting in my entire July being a series of events, activities and trips, with little time left for studying. Luckily, it was at the end of the year so school was winding down a bit, but this could've been drastic had I received a lot of homework. My advice would be to try out an activity or a club and if it becomes too much to manage then stop. Although it's good to broaden your horizons and try new things, your school work should be a priority. If you're unsure what to do, talk to a family member and get their opinion on whether you should take part in more extra-curricular activities or not.

How can I get all of my school textbooks and revision guides without having to spend a lot of money?
When you're studying for your GCSE's, buying a variety of textbooks for over 10 different subjects can cost a lot of money, so it's always good to find cheaper alternatives. The first place you should check is your school, as they might be selling the required textbook at a discounted price, or even let you have it for free. I'm lucky that I don't have to purchase any textbooks and only worry about getting the right revision guides, but make sure you check with your teachers what you need. It's also worth checking the library, but remember that other students might want to use them as well, so taking lots of the library's textbooks home might be a bit selfish. I'd definitely suggest searching Amazon for any books that you need, as you can often find second-hand ones that are a lot cheaper but look brand new.

How do I make friends in my new school without sounding awkward?
Making friends can be a really difficult thing to do, but the best approach is to be honest and have confidence in yourself. When meeting a new person, start by introducing yourself or maybe asking a simple question like if they want to sit next to you in class. Get to know them by asking basic questions; if you run out of ideas try to find things you have in common, like a singer you both like, a TV show you watch or a holiday destination you've visited. Try to get to know as many people as possible when you start school, as this will make it easier to find and fit in with a friendship group.

What should I do if I don't understand the topic we're covering in class?
If you approach your teacher and explain what you're struggling with, it's likely that they'll find a way to help you. They might be able to arrange for you to do some extra work during lunch or could provide you with some helpful worksheets and resources. If your teacher is unable to help, consult your revision guides and the Internet for assistance, as it's likely that there will be answers somewhere. If you still don't understand a topic, ask your friends, as they might be able to easily explain it to you, or might've grasped different knowledge from the lesson.

I'm unhappy with my friendship group, but everyone else already has close friends. What should I do?
If you're a few years into secondary school, it might seem like everyone already has close friendship groups that you can't join. This usually isn't the case, so keep your mind open and make an effort to talk to new people. Start by sitting with some different people in your class and engaging in simple conversations, such as the work that you're doing or what you did last weekend. It might also help to join clubs and activities, as this will help you meet people with similar interests and hobbies. If you're really unhappy in your friendship group and think that it might be down to an issue such as bullying, talk to a responsible adult immediately.

I hope that my advice has been helpful and that you're now less nervous about going back to school. If you have any other questions or need advice, feel free to let me know and I'll try my best to answer you. Thank you for reading and I'll see you on Sunday with my new post.

Love from Daisy x
Apps For School

With school quickly approaching us, it's important to gather all of the necessary tools that you may need. One that you will most likely have but don't associate with school is your phone, which is actually really helpful for revising, organising your homework and remembering your timetable amongst many other things. I've found these apps to be vital when it comes to school and I couldn't go without them, so I thought I'd share them with you in hope that you will be inspired to download them.

FOR REVISING

GOJIMO - FREE - AVAILABLE ON APPLE DEVICES
One of the best ways of revising is through quizzes, but you might not always have someone available to test you or you don't have the time to prepare lots of questions. This app allows you to test yourself on the content of your exams after you tell it what topic you are revising, what exam you will be taking and what exam board it is with. This is a really quick way to study, knowing that everything you come across will be relevant and necessary for your exams. Gojimo is also easy to navigate and makes revising possible from any location.

CHEGG FLASHCARDS - FREE - AVAILABLE ON APPLE AND ANDROID DEVICES
I love using this app to aid my studying and find that it provides an effective and successful way of learning, which I find particularly useful for subjects such as RE and Science. You can simply make flashcards, either with a keyword on one side and the explanation on the other or with a question and answer. It's a lot quicker than making flashcards by hand and is more portable, making it possible to study from anywhere when you have a few spare minutes. This app can be helpful for learning vocabulary for a language, memorising keywords and definitions or simply testing yourself on important facts.


PODCASTS - PREINSTALLED - AVAILABLE ON APPLE DEVICES

This app is preinstalled on all Apple devices, but I'm sure there are plenty of variations and other editions that you can download. There is a wide variety of podcasts available to assist you with studying, but I particularly like those for history and have heard that the geography ones are equally as good. They are all written towards the GCSE syllabus, so you know that the information you are getting is relevant, and they provide a lot of extra knowledge that is really helpful. This is also an easy way to revise and I find myself listening to these when I need a break from doing more physical revision like typing notes.

THE STUDENT ROOM - FREE - AVAILABLE ON APPLE AND ANDROID DEVICES
This app and its website contain a huge forum aimed at students across the UK, with those studying for their GCSE's making a large part of this. You can go here to gain help and advice from other students, whether that's with a certain class, preparing for college or everyday issues. There are also lots of revision resources available on this website which have been created by other students that might've passed the exams you'll be taking. It's a great way to interact with other people your age and definitely a beneficial way to get help and study.

MATHSWATCH - FREE - AVAILABLE ON APPLE AND ANDROID DEVICES
This one is only available if your school has signed up for the service, but if they have I'd definitely recommend it. There are hundreds of maths videos and tutorials that are easy to follow and make difficult questions seem possible. If you're struggling with a particular aspect of maths, I can guarantee that you'll be more confident with it after watching the videos. There are also practice questions for you to complete, so you can test your knowledge and see if you've improved.

FOR ORGANISATION

SHOW MY HOMEWORK - FREE - AVAILABLE ON APPLE AND ANDROID DEVICES
This is another one that your school must sign up for, but if they have then it's a great way to track your homework and assignments. Your teachers can enter all of the information about your homework, such as what you need to do, when it is due, how long it should take and how you should complete, and you will find this on your phone ready to complete regardless of where you are. They can also attach resources to help you or include the worksheet, which is helpful if you lose it. The app sends you reminders when your homework is due and keeps you updated if you get new pieces, meaning you'll never feel unorganised again.

CLASS TIMETABLE - FREE - AVAILABLE ON APPLE DEVICES
This app is really simple and minimalistic but is a clear way of seeing what classes you have in a day and what your timetable is. You can manually enter all of your classes, choosing how many days you have school and if your timetable is on a one or two week rota. You can also colour coordinate each class, so it's easy to tell what lessons you have in that day. I really like using this app to keep me organised and knowing what classes I have, and it literally only takes a couple of seconds to check.

DROPBOX - FREE - AVAILABLE ON APPLE AND ANDROID DEVICES
For classes where you have to do lots of work at home, this app will be a lifesaver. It allows you to save lots of different files and transfer them to different locations, so you can take work from a school computer and put it on your phone or laptop. This means you don't have to worry about constantly remembering a USB stick or having to spend lots of extra hours in school working. There is a lot of free space, meaning you will likely never run out, and the app is easily accessible, making working from home a lot simpler.

MICROSOFT WORD - FREE - AVAILABLE ON APPLE AND ANDROID DEVICES
Most of my homework assignments and tasks need completing on Microsoft Word, which means I have to be on my laptop or in school to work on them. However, this app allows me to create documents whenever I want to, meaning you could do homework while in a place without access to computers. You can also use this app to view other documents you've made, meaning you can quickly take a look at revision notes and downloaded resources that can help you study. I personally think that it's extremely convenient to have this app with you at all times, making doing homework something you can do on-the-go.

I hope that these apps are helpful and come into use during the school year. I'd love to hear what apps you use to keep yourself organised and if there are any important ones that I've missed out. Thank you for reading and I'll be back with another school related post on Wednesday, so I'll see you then!

Love from Daisy x
Editorial Calendar Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel

Blogging requires organisation, whether that's simply writing down a few notes or taking it to the extreme, with endless graphs and charts to track ideas. I like to think that I'm somewhere in between the two, making an effort to thoroughly organise myself, while not covering every single unnecessary detail. However, I think my editorial calendar is one that functions well, is easy to access and makes seeing all of my blog post ideas a lot clearer. I thought I'd show you how I created it and what features it has, so you can easily duplicate it to ensure that your blog will stay organised.

WHY I USE EXCEL:

My editorial calendar is created using Microsoft Excel, which I find is really convenient and useful for various reasons. Firstly, everything on Microsoft Excel is saved to your computer, opposed to online, meaning you can still access it when you don't have the internet. There is also an Excel app for phones, so you can take a look at it on the go. Secondly, it is really simple and easy to view all of the information, unlike with some calendars that are overcomplicated and confusing. It is easily editable and I can change dates and move posts whenever I want to.

HOW I MADE THE CALENDAR:
Editorial Calendar Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
At the very top of the spreadsheet, I simply stated that this page was for my blog, Daisies and Delights, and that it was to track blog posts. I think this helps to make it look more organised and clean, and will also provide an insight to someone looking at it who might otherwise be confused. Another reason for doing this is that I have multiple pages within my spreadsheets, so this helps to keep things organised and easier to access.

As you can see, my editorial calendar is split into three main columns, the first being for the date that posts will be uploaded, the second for the titles of the posts and the third for a key and ideas for future blog posts. I find that having it like this is a lot easier than one huge table, which can sometimes be too much for the eyes and leave you confused, yet it's also better than having three different spreadsheets dedicated to each, as that will leave you constantly flicking between them.

In the first column, I have all of the dates that I plan on uploading a blog post. I only use this calendar for tracking posts, but if you want to use it for other blog related tasks then you could add more dates into it. As you can see, these are all from June and July, as I didn't want to show you anything current that could reveal what blog posts I have planned for the future. By these dates, you can see that I upload every Wednesday and Sunday, but you can change these dates to suit yourself. It also really helps to write both the day of the week and the date, as there are certain posts that I might only upload on a Wednesday and others that I only post towards the end of the month.

In the second column, which is probably the most important column, you can see all of the blog posts planned for the months of June and July. I think this is an especially clear way of seeing them and doesn't leave you confused by what's being uploaded and when, which a regular editorial calendar might. This also helps you to see what order your posts will be in and whether this is effective, for example if you've accidentally put three product reviews next to each other, you will easily be able to tell and move them around.
Editorial Calendar Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
If you're the type of person who needs more than a title to help you and wants to add extra notes for each post, you can do this through the comments. Simply click on the cell that you want to add comments to, go to the review tab and click add comments. Then you can type whatever you want, which can act as a reminder when you come to write the blog post. Above, you can see an example of a comment for my Summer Reading List #1, where I added the titles and authors of the three books to remind me. You can see that a cell has a comment by the red triangle in the top right corner.

I use the final column for the key, which helps me to organise the progress and status of my blog posts. Despite all of these blog posts have a white background, as they were uploaded a few months ago, my editorial calendar is usually filled with lots of bright colours, each one representing the posts that are unwritten, drafted, photographed, written and completed. This really helps me to see which blog posts need more work and assess how much time I have left to get that post green before it needs to be uploaded. The ideas section is really useful for writing down my thoughts and possible blog posts, but I had to hide this as I didn't want you finding out any of my future posts!

MY OVERALL THOUGHTS:

I really think that you should try using this style of a calendar, especially if you're looking for a way of keeping your posts organised. It's incredibly easy to use, alterations literally take seconds and you can make it tailored towards your blog and when you post. These are only my ideas, but there are so many other things you could add to the spreadsheet to make it personalised and unique.

If you need help creating your calendar or simply don't know where to begin, you can download this template I created to help you here. If that still doesn't make things clear or you need some individual help, just leave me a message.

Love from Daisy x
These eyeliners are infamous in the drugstore, being credited as truly outstanding, ending the era of dry and scratchy eyeliners that tug at your eyelids. They're bargainous, yet supposedly a dupe for the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils, which are extremely popular and share the same colour payoff and longevity. Since I'd heard nothing but good reviews, I thought I'd share my opinions on them.


Like many other eyeliners, these come in a narrow pencil shape which is easy to hold and makes eyeliner as easy as writing with a pencil. The colour of it represents that of the actual product, which makes it look quite modern and it's really easy to see what colour you want to use. My only query with the packaging is that the lid isn't very secure and falls off easily.

As I expected, the kohl kajals are insanely pigmented and produce a harsh line of bold colour. This is incredibly handy for people who aren't the best at eyeliner, and don't have to go over the line a few times to ensure that it is bold enough while still trying to keep it as neat as possible. These eyeliners glide on incredibly easily and the colour is deposited in an even layer, which is due to the creamy consistency. You have a few seconds after the application before they set, which is the perfect time to blend them out a bit.

The colour range is definitely larger than I expected from a drugstore brand, which is a great bonus. It comes in ten different shades, which are black, shimmery black, brown, taupe, nude, deep blue, turquoise, light blue, purple and silver. Although there are a lot of different colours, the shades themselves are nothing innovative and are those typically found in eyeliners. Also, there is only two finishes available: matte or metallic, which I feel could've been expanded. 

I own these eyeliners in two different shades, being taupe and nude. The taupe eyeliner is a light brownish-grey colour that is matte. This is a great colour to apply across the lashline if you want a bit of definition that is less harsh than a black. The nude eyeliner is a pale beige nude colour, which is great for cancelling out redness on the waterline. Nude eyeliners aren't often found in drugstore brands, so I was pleased to find this as it does a great job at brightening up my eyes and making them look more open.

I often find that these eyeliners last for a full day, living up to their long-wearing claim. They truly stay in place for ages, without flaking or smudging on my eyelids. I'm also pleased to report that they stay as intense and bold as they are when applied. The formula of these eyeliners allows for them to be easily removed at the end of the day, only needing a bit of eye makeup remover to completely wipe them away.

Overall, I'm really pleased with these eyeliners and they're enjoyable and easy to use. They are extremely pigmented, waterproof and even safe for sensitive eyes, making the £4 that they cost a great value for money. If you're looking for a cheap but good quality eyeliner, I'd definitely recommend taking a look at these.

If you could only keep one makeup item from your current collection what would it be and why?
I thought about this question quite a lot and decided that it would be the Naked 3 palette by Urban Decay. First of all, it's such a beautiful palette that I always look forward to wearing and it is definitely unique compared to my other eyeshadow palettes. Also, this was my first high-end palette and one that I wanted for a long time, so it holds a special place in my heart. A lot of my other makeup items are drugstore and are therefore cheaper, so it wouldn't be as bad repurchasing them.

How many hours a week do you spend doing blog-related tasks (writing posts, photography, promotion etc)?
This can vary quite a lot, as one week I might do a lot of blogging and the next might only be a couple of hours. On average, I'd say that I spend 1-5 hours on each post that I write, which includes research, writing it, editing it and photographing it, but this depends on what type of post it is. I also do promotion and share my blog with other people, as well as admin like tracking my statistics and replying to emails, so you can see that the hours add up.

What's your favourite and least favourite thing about the blogging community?
My favourite thing is how kind and supportive everyone is. I know that there can be negative feedback and cruel people, but I can honestly say that all of the people I've spoken to either about my blog or theirs have been lovely, honest people that are really easy to talk to. My least favourite thing is when bloggers can become competitive and selfish, being mean to other people so that it makes their blog seem better.

What was your goal number of followers when you started blogging?
I honestly didn't have a target number of followers when I started my blog, as I was convinced that no-one would read it. It was more just for my personal use, but if I gained followers from it then that was fine. After blogging for about a year and getting to grips with social media and platforms like Bloglovin, I realised that Daisies and Delights might have some potential, so I set myself the goal of getting 100 followers. This seemed close to impossible and I was thrilled when I surpassed it. Now, I'm not really thinking about followers and I'll just let fate decide whether I get more or less.

If you could only read one blog and no others forever, which blog would it be?
This question is virtually impossible for me to answer since there are so many blogs that I love reading and couldn't go without checking. I did write a post sharing my Current Favourite Blogs, so it's likely that it would be one of those, but the problem is that my favourite blogs change all of the time. As a blogger myself, I love seeing and sharing other people's work, so having only one blog to read would be incredibly hard.

As we're over half way through the year, what has been your favourite blog-related moment of 2015 so far?
I've had some amazing moments and great times due to blogging this year, but the one that stands out in my head is receiving the Burberry Kisses Lipstick to review. Not only was it my first time trying the brand, but it was a huge honour to be sent the product. I'd never been sent anything to review before, so this was a fabulous place to start and I was completely amazed by the lipstick. It's a lovely product to use and I'm incredibly proud of my review of it, so that is definitely a moment that stands out.

I hope you liked this post and I'd love to answer any of your questions for future posts, so make sure you leave them down in the comments below. Thanks for reading this post and I guess I'll see you in my next one!

Love from Daisy x
Although I talk about the individual products quite often on my blog, I haven't done a full review of the Greatest Performers Set by Bare Minerals. My best friend Maia gave me this for Christmas and I absolutely fell in love with it, especially as it was my first time trying out Bare Minerals makeup. Now that I've had it for quite a while, I thought it was about time I produced a review of it.


The Bare Minerals Prime Time is a silicone primer that you apply underneath your base makeup to ensure that it stays in place all day. This is the first face primer that I have tried, so I can't compare it to any others, but I really like it and find that it works well. It applies onto my face smoothly and evenly, with only a tiny amount being required. After lightly massaging it into the skin, it appears to have disappeared, yet does an excellent job at keeping my skin makeup intact and looking fresh. I do find that this works really well and I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a new primer, although it is a bit on the pricey side.

Next up is Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Loose Powder, which you will have heard me mention a handful of times on my blog. I use this on a daily basis, as I love the look that it creates and it helps to make my skin makeup long lasting. It is transparent and blends into the skin really easily, where it makes my skin appear a bit matter and absorbs any unnecessary oils. It isn't too mattifying, so people with dry skin don't need to be afraid of it, but it still helps to eliminate some of the unwanted shine and greasiness to your face. It also keeps my makeup in place, which is helpful for sports or dance when my makeup might start to disappear.

The Powder Blush by Bare Minerals in the shade Beauty is a gorgeous product to add a bit of colour and radiance to the cheeks. Although it can be quite messy and difficult to apply, as the powder tends to go everywhere, I find that it is really worth it. This product can be lightly applied for a hint of colour or intensified to make a much bolder blush. It also lasts really well, and I find that the colour is still visible after a long day. This is definitely a beautiful product that I feel isn't mentioned enough in the beauty community.

This set also came with an Eyeshadow Duo called the High Society, which consists of two of their best selling eyeshadows called Débutante and Waltz. I was apprehensive when I first saw them, as one is a pink-toned champagne and the other is a purple taupe, so I thought it was going to be hard to pull them off. However, I really like how they look and think that they go together nicely. Although they aren't the most pigmented, they are extremely buildable and create a lovely look that is quick and easy to apply.

The Lash Domination Mascara from Bare Minerals is definitely a great quality sample since the wand is huge and the same size as the actual product. I think that this mascara definitely gives more of a voluminous look rather than longer lashes, but it still creates a really nice, open-eyed effect. Although it's not something that I'd tend to use, as I'm a Maybelline Great Lash addict and use Benefit's They're Real when I want something a bit more dramatic, it's still a really nice mascara that a lot of you will love.

The Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in the shade Rebel is the final product in this set, which I've thoroughly enjoyed using, so much so that I barely have any left. It's a beautiful bold pink colour that I can really build up for an intense wash of colour but also looks really nice layered over other lipsticks. It isn't at all sticky on my lips and provides a really glossy, hydrated finish that lingers on the lips for quite a while.

I hope you liked hearing my review of this set and I'd love to know what you guys think of the products if you own any of them. Thanks for reading and I'll see you soon with my new post.

Love from Daisy x
This is the final instalment in my series of posts telling you about the books that I'd like to read over the summer. There are three books left that I'd really like to read and tell you about, all of which you've probably heard about or maybe even read. Nonetheless, I'd like to share these books with you, so I hope you like this post!


Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
"Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy. He lives with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley, who are mean to him and make him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs. (Dudley, however, has two bedrooms, one to sleep in and one for all his toys and games.) Then Harry starts receiving mysterious letters and his life is changed forever. He is whisked away by a beetle-eyed giant of a man and enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reason: Harry Potter is a wizard! The first book in the Harry Potter series makes the perfect introduction to the world of Hogwarts."
I don't know why I bothered giving you a summary of this book since I'm almost certain that you will have heard about it and possibly read it. I'm afraid to say that I never read all of the Harry Potter books as a child, despite being a huge bookworm and loving all of the films. My love for fantasy books and paranormal fiction has developed as I've grown older, so the Harry Potter heptalogy is an ideal series that I can't believe I didn't fully read. I really want to read the entire series from start to finish, with this book being a good place to begin.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller
"Arthur Miller's classic parable of mass hysteria draws a chilling parallel between the Salem witch-hunt of 1692 - 'one of the strangest and most awful chapters in human history' - and the McCarthyism which gripped America in the 1950s. The story of how the small community of Salem is stirred into madness by superstition, paranoia and malice, culminating in a violent climax, is a savage attack on the evils of mindless persecution and the terrifying power of false accusations."
This is another book that I have decided to re-read this summer as I need it for my GCSE English Literature and English Language exams. It's a short play about the Salem witch trials, only reaching around 150 pages. However, I find it to be really interesting and gripping, with an intricate plot line and history behind it. Although it can get a bit confusing as there is a lot of characters, I think this is a really good book to read and definitely won't take me long to get through.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create. Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.
I'm ashamed to say that The Hunger Games is another book series that I haven't finished. I really enjoyed the first book and found it to be quite easy but still enthralling. However, I didn't read the following two books in the trilogy as there were other books I wanted to read. This book series is aimed at such a wide audience since it features themes such as adventure, romance, science fiction, utopian and dystopian societies and many more. Also, the films are hugely popular, with Mockingjay part 2 to be released in a few months, so I really need to get around to finishing this series.

Love from Daisy x
It's monthly favourites time again! July was such a busy month for me and it went incredibly quickly, yet I still managed to acquire quite a few favourites. Since I often share these with you, I thought you might like to know what makeup items I've been reaching for over the past month. Quite a few of them you will have heard me talk about them before, but I've still been really liking them so I wanted to include them.


The Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze is a beautiful cream eyeshadow that I've loved wearing over the past few months, as it was also featured in my June Favourites. I'll admit, I was a bit scared of this eyeshadow and how bold it was when I first bought it, but I soon realised that it's a gorgeous product. This is really easy to wear and a quick wash of the product looks beautiful yet is effortless. I love applying this all over my lid and blending out the edges, wearing it on its own, but you could also use this as a base colour. There are so many possibilities for this product, especially when you consider the great pigmentation, longevity and blendability. I'll definitely be up for trying out some of the other colours in this range in the future, as my opinion of On and On Bronze is nothing but positive.

As promised in my New Year's Resolutions for beauty, I've been using eyeliner a lot more often. I find that a pencil is the easiest way to go, as you can be accurate and easily erase any mistakes. I've been loving the MUA Intense Colour Eyeliner in Rich Brown, as its of a great quality for a budget brand. This eyeliner is, like the name suggests, incredibly intense and pigmented, but still allows you to smudge it out for a smokier, less harsh look. The colour is a really nice warm-toned brown that is perfect for adding some definition without being too noticeable and it's great if you're a bit scared of harsh black eyeliner.

This month has definitely been one for experimenting with a lip liner, which is a beauty task that I rarely do. I picked up the Collection Precise Colour Lip Liner in Clover Pink to match my Burberry Kisses Lipstick and didn't use it at all afterwards. However, I discovered this month that it's actually a really nice colour that isn't too far from my own lip colour. This can be worn on its own all over the lips or underneath a variety of different lipsticks to provide some more definition and precision. I really want to continue experimenting with this in the future, so I'm sure you'll be hearing about it more.

Eye primer isn't something that I usually reach for, unless I want my eyeshadow to last for an incredibly long time like for a show or party, but recently I've been giving the Avon Eye Primer a try on a regular basis. It takes only a couple of seconds to apply, so it's not a huge deal taking the time to use it, but I can tell a difference when it's on my lids. As someone who has quite oily eyelids, quite a few eyeshadows crease on me and start to disappear throughout the day, but I've noticed that this doesn't happen as much when I apply this product.

Blusher is probably one of my favourite parts of my makeup routine, as I find that it always helps me to look healthier and injects some life back into my pale and washed out face. I've been reaching for the Makeup Revolution Ultra Blush Palette in Hot Spice quite a lot, as it provides such a  lovely variety of colours that are perfect for any makeup look. There's always something in this palette to suit my makeup look, with each product being extremely pigmented and of a great quality. This is also a budget brand and the palette was quite cheap in comparison to others, so I'd recommend you try this if you haven't already.

Love from Daisy x