Summer Reading List

Marilyn Monroe Reading

Oh the joys of spending your days at the beach flipping through the pages of a good book. Summer is here and with it the inevitable stream of sweat adorning your sparkling body- but what fun would that be without a great book in your hand? I love reading so I have decided to compile a list of the books I have been reading this summer and a few that I am planning to get my hands on and dig into.

Not Your Typical Book

How amazing are these books !!???!! The artist Brian Dettmer carves these out with surgical tools using only the images and text that are in the book he is carving! I love how imaginative these are. 

Travel Essentials

In less than a week I am once again travelling to Slovakia. The flight is over 9 hours so I am preparing well in advance to make my journey more comfortable. I have travelled so much over the years so I have my go to essentials that I take every time I fly, but I also like to include some "new" discoveries, especially when it comes to beauty products.

1. Obviously you need something to put everything in, so a travel bag is essential. I like this Longchamp one its practical and light!

2. Transatlantic flights can be long and boring, so I usually take at least two books(one for "leisure reading and one for "technical" or "theoretical" reading), just in case I get bored of one or the other.

3. I also take a couple magazines along to flip through during take off or before meals, or when I don't feel like readin a book anymore. 

4. There is always something interesting that I need to jot down so I never forget to bring a notebook and  some pens with me.

5. Music is essential to help you relax and make the journey a little more exciting, so I always bring along a CHARGED ipod. Big headphones are really good at drowning out noise like these ones from WESC.

6. Comfort is so important when it comes to flying, so a neck pillow and a blanket is essential. (note: I usually use the one they provide in the plane as a back pillow, to fill the gap between my back and the seat at the bottom of the backrest.) Some airlines do not provide the customer with a blanket so it's always good to have one with you, just in case. I love this blanket by The Hudson's Bay Company.

7. I don't care what you say, it gets cold up there, so furry socks and a furry hoodie are a must. They keep you warm, and it doesn't matter if they're ugly because no one is going to see them under that blanket, plus you can get the hoodie dirty without worries because at the end of the flight you're going to take it off anyways.

8. A toothbrush and a toothpaste or mouthwash because we all have to brush our teeth.

9. Sometimes it's hard to fall asleep on a flight especially if it's during the day, sleeping pills do help. Sitting for 9 hours or more is no cookie, to help soothe that stomach of yours, bring digestive aid. 

To be continued....

Wish List

I never really know what I would like as a present for christmas or my birthday. Only after the event do I realize that there are so many things that I would in fact like but just never really remember it at the time of gift giving and receiving. So here are a few items that I would like right now so that when my birthday comes around, I will actually know what to ask for.

Any lotion, fragrance, shower gel, well anything really from L'Occitane.

A simple yet beautiful illustration like this one by Cori Dantini in a vintage frame.

A book about the graffiti artist Banksy or any other art/design book.

Any book from Stephen Clarke (apart from the ones I have already...although I wouldn't even mind if I had doubles if the books are from Stephen Clarke) or any other great novel or a writing guide.

As I am obsessed with notebooks and writing utensils, I would love any sort of pretty notebooks like these ones from Moleskine and a pen to accompany it. 

A vintage camera, or any fun cameras from Lomography. 

Even though I very much dislike Ed Hardy his perfumes are absolutely amazing. This one in particular is my favourite one. It's really feminine and floral but very different. It seems that a lot of perfumes' smell is similar, but this one will surely make you stand out from the crowd. 

A travel bag like this one by Billykirk.  A cheaper alternative would be great though. 

And last but not least, a vintage typewriter. They are beautiful and it would be such an experience to write on one late at night. 

A Year In the Merde

Stephen Clarke is such an amazing author. His books are full of humour and most of all truth about a foreigner living in France. I have never laughed out loud while reading a book, but with Clarke's books you can be sure to have a good laugh, on almost every page. Reading Clarke's books in public can be a little tricky because an outburst of laughter may come at any minute and the danger of wondering looks from people that pass you may have you feeling a little self conscious. This was the second book I read from Stephen Clarke, and I could not stop reading it. It was so wonderful. Especially for people who have lived in France and can relate to his experiences.

Here is a link  (http://www.stephenclarkewriter.com/ ) to Stephen Clarke's website where you can see all the books he has written and purchase them.