My Favourite Reads

As a belated World Book Day 2012 I want to share with you some of my favourite reads! As a book lover and story enthusiast and (hopeful) writer, I believe that books are a huge part of our culture. We need books in our lives. Babies learn words and ways of life through story books. Children learn through stories, just as teenagers do. Even adults learn a few things through the stories they read.

As a storyteller, one day I want to write stories with so much love and heart to inspire readers in their everyday lives.

So, in ELLE UK style, here is a list of the books which inspires me.

The Time Traveler's Wife: Audrey Niffenegger

This has to be my favourite book. (Yes, it beats the Twilight Saga and The Vampire Diaries series!) It's about love, and the reality of love combined with something a little out of the ordinary, that isn't vampires or werewolves. The first and only time I read this was the summer before my second year of sixth form. I was 17. We had to read it for English Literature and write down various quotes and summaries of different chapters. It wasn't a difficult task! It is written beautifully and you completely fall in love with Henry and Clare! I would completely recommend!

The Twilight Saga: Stephenie Meyer

When I first found out about the Twilight Saga, it was 2008 when the first film was about to be premiered. I received the first three books for Christmas and read them all within about three or four days. I could not put them down! Meyer is gifted with words, the way she creates an unconventional love between two different beings. The films, I am saddened to say, have become ultimate cheese as of late, and don't do the books justice. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart and the rest of the cast are great but some of the late scripts are just cheese.

The Woman in White: Wilkie Collins

As a Literature student, I have to read a lot of books. This year, I've been doing Victorian Literature, and The Woman in White is one of the books that I've enjoyed the most. If I read it again at some point in the future, I would probably enjoy it more due to the lack of stress and force to read it in two weeks. It's a sensation novel, and as a sensation novel has death, lies, manipulation, love, fraud, and other things to contribute to a great story.

The Goddess Guide: Giséle Scanlon

This book has got everything in it that a woman needs! My best friend bought this book first in year ten I think it was, and she took it everywhere with her. I loved poring over each and every detailed, colourful page and taking in every single tip that she gave. I even based two of my HerUni posts on the tips she gives. I would love to buy her later version just to get more of her inspiration!

Peter and Wendy: J.M. Barrie

I watched the Disney version of Peter Pan a million times when I was younger. My favourite characters were TinkerBell and the mermaids. Then came Hook, then the version starring Jeremy Sumpter, but I had never actually read the book until last December for my Children's Literature module. I never realised how sad and tragic the book actually was, and it made me realise that I never want to be left behind. Yes, I'd love to be young for a very long time, but Peter forgets everyone who dies, and that is what is tragic. It is such a creative and lovely book that I want to read over and over again.

Evidently, books will be added to this list as my life goes on, and as I love to read, there will probably be 100 of my favourite reads by the time I get to eighty.

faye xoxo

HerUni: Wedding Wear - Fashion

Spring is here! Plus, with Summer coming soon, it is the season(s) of weddings. If you are lucky enough to be a wedding guest over the next few months (or at any point of the year), follow this simple guide to wedding wear whether you are sporty or girly, or anything inbetween. As the first half of a two part piece, you will find the fashion to suit one of five styles, and look out for the second part which will let you in on a few wedding hair and beauty looks to make sure that you look the second best female there (you can never, ever, look better than the bride!).

If you’re on the boho side, wear a colourful maxi dress! It’s long, light, flowy and perfect for the transition from day to night. This dress is from River Island for just £50! Pair with a pair of wedges (Miss Selfridge) and pile on those bangles: Accessorize is THE place for all your accessorizing needs!

If you love all things pink and have a love of being the girly girl, then this look is for you. Look online at boohoo.com for this dress (and many more pink dresses!). Head to River Island for a pair of chunky, strappy shoes with that delicate sparkle to brighten up your toes. Keep accessories simple, with one ring, one group of bangles and a pair of dangly earrings to finish off the look (all from Miss Selfridge).

For the classic look with a twist, add a lot of bright colours that compliment each other like orange, pink and purple. This lace blazer adds that extra bit of texture which makes this classic look that little bit more modern. The length of this skirt is just above the knee which is perfect for being that classy guest at the wedding. All items from River Island.

For all you non-skirt-lovers out there! Yes, the floral might normally be a ‘girly’ trend, but this season florals are everywhere, so why shouldn’t all you sporty lot not jump on the bandwaggon of florals! The florals combined with another Spring/Summer 2012 trend, pastels, tones down the girlishness and creates a whole new look for even tomboys to enjoy! This will keep you comfortable throughout the day without the worry of having your skirt tucked into your knickers near the end of the night. Bonus! Trouser suit from Asos, Shoes: Topshop, Bag: New Look.

Calling all rock chicks! This outfit has enough black and sparkles to pass the rock chick code. This River Island dress is made of gems which will make you sparkle throughout the day. These tough shoes (also River Island) are to die for! Combined with chunky cuff and drop earrings, you are set to make all those real rock chicks aka the actual singers jealous. Jewellery: Miss Selfridge.

Look out for my next post ‘Wedding Wear: Hair & Beauty’ coming soon!

Images: riverisland.com, accessorize.com; boohoo.com; missselfridge.com; asos.com; topshop.com

faye xoxo

HerUni: International Women's Day!

Today is International Women’s Day where every woman should celebrate who they are, how far they’ve come, and their lives in general. Whether you are a student, a worker, a mother, anything, we should all take a few minutes out of our day and pat ourselves on the back for being a great friend, or a top grading student, or a workaholic who needs to slow down. Also, think about the women who inspire you, whether it is your mum or your nan, or a famous artist like Lady Gaga or Cheryl Cole.

This day is similar to Mother’s Day (18th March) where people give small gifts to their wives, mothers, daughters and colleagues in celebration of their being a woman. It is celebrated in over twenty countries. The official website www.internationalwomensday.com has a lot of information about how far the woman has come in society, including the history of International Women’s Day since 1917. The website even celebrates the fact that schoolgirls are now accepted into university, and it is true. If we didn’t go to university, HerUni would not exist! Therefore, all this writing would never have been published. How crazy is that? We should be thankful for the changes in society that have shown that women can do just as much as men (and sometimes do the better job!).

So girls, today, think about yourself as an amazing and inspiring woman, who can change the world with your words, or your thoughts, or your love and friendship. We all change someone’s life in some kind of way and we should celebrate it!

Go to www.internationalwomensday.com for more info!

Images: feministsforchoice.com; dryicons.com

faye xoxo

Pretty Green Eyes

Spring and summer are on their way, and what's better to brighten up your makeup along with it.

I love creating the smoky eye effect with a range of colours, especially green and here is some pretty green eyes inspiration to follow and experiment with.

Pair with nude or light pink lips. This look would be perfect for the festival season as well as holidays abroad and everyday life. Wear contrasting colours to green and keep it bright.

riverisland.com

This would also make a fantastic outfit if you are a wedding guest this Spring or Summer. I will be writing a guide to wedding wear for HerUni soon!

Last piece of inspiration c/o fashioning.com

faye xoxo



Ticket Mania

This morning, I woke up to the sound of my phone alarm at 9am. An hour later, I was frantically clicking the refresh button on the Gigs and Tours page. Five minutes later, I had bought two tickets for V Festival and I cannot wait!

I am a festival virgin so to say that I'm excited is an understatement! I cannot wait for the festival fashion, the makeup, the camping and obviousy the music! It's going to be amazing, and I will be spending the weekend with my lovely cousin too. It just so happens that we will be celebrating her birthday too!

More to talk about regarding Summer at a later date! And I'm planning on doing a five part festival special in the run up to V that I may or may not publish on HerUni also.

faye xoxo

Pillow Magazine

A few weeks ago, I found myself on an online publication called Pillow Magazine. It was because of the gorgeous Jorgie Porter! She starred in a photoshoot that was on the website. Luckily for me, the mag had a contribution link, and so I emailed the editor enquiring about contribution.

Today, I wrote my first article and it is now live on the website! I always feel such an acheivement when a piece of my writing is published, even now for HerUni.com although I can publish it myself because I'm an editor. It's nice to have an email back from the editor to say that it's now live on the site.

Here is the home page and there is my article 'By FAYE SMITH'. I LOVE that! It's great to have your name out there on other sites apart from your own.

To read the whole article click here.

faye xoxo