BOOK REVIEW | Gone Girl

So a few weeks ago I wrote a 'Mid-Book Review' because I was enjoying the book 'Gone Girl' that much that I decided to write a review whilst still half way through as I just couldn't wait to share how I was feeling about it! Therefore, I'm not going to go too much into detail about the plot etc because you can find that here. I'll also start by saying that this post will contain spoilers, not substantial ones but I really want to give my opinion of the ending. If you want to know nothing of the plot before reading, I'll give you a warning as to when to stop reading this post if you haven't read the book yet!

So as I wrote in the mid-book review, Gone Girl is a book absolutely full of twists and turns! I previously wrote 'I really have no idea how this is going to end, when you think you've figured it out something happens which changes my thinking entirely!' and in the second half of the book that is exactly what happened. There is absolutely no way that you can tell how this book is going to end, as the twists continue to take place it makes it almost impossible to put the book down as you just want to know what is going to happen next!

It's one of those books that you just want to tell all your friends about the twists because they're that good! I persuaded my sister to read the book just so I'd have someone to talk about it to!

It's almost time for the spoilers so for those of you who plan to stop reading now, I would definitely recommend this book to you. If you like thrillers, and even if you normally don't, this book will have you gripped from start to end and you should get yourself a copy to immerse yourself in before summer is over!

SPOILER ALERT TIME!

Whereas I massively enjoyed the book as a whole, I have to say I was really disappointed by the ending. And from what I gather, this feeling is generally shared by many who have read the book. Gone Girl is so addictive, page after page after page, but I feel like the ending was unrealistic and gave no closure to the book. It was one of those endings where you turn the page expecting there to be more but there wasn't... The book had been SO good all the way through and it had so much more potential for a better ending instead of what I felt was a huge anti-climax. I've read that the film out later this year might have a different ending, I don't know whether this is true but if it is I really hope it gives the story an ending it deserves.

I'm currently half way through my next book 'Me and Mr Darcy' which my boyfriend's mum recommended and lent me. So far I'm really enjoying it and a review will be up once I've finished it! Then I plan to finish my summer by reading the Divergent book series, I loved the film so bought the books! 

So, book review wise, there's something for everyone over the next couple of months!

What did you think to Gone Girl? What has your favourite book been recently?

Patterned Polish of the Week #3

So this week has been a really busy one for me, having had a week spending time with family I haven't had much time at all to dedicate to my blog! Therefore tonight's post won't be as detailed as usual but if you're interested in the methods I use, look back at my previous posts. Tonight I'm back with my Friday feature, Patterned Polish of the Week, and this week may just be my favourite yet!

So this week I reached for a more summery colour which was Barry M's Peach Melba. 

Then using Konad M64 Image Plate and Konad Special Polish in Black I created this design!

I hope you like this week's Patterned Polish of the Week! 

Normal service and regular posts will return next week here at Patterned and Polished :)

June Favourites!

So although a little late, I've finally got round to sharing with you my favourite products of June!






First up is a particular scent I've been loving and using in a variety of different ways. That is the Body Shop's Japanese Cherry Blossom products in the Body Butter, Eau de Toilette and Body Mist. I've had these stashed in my wardrobe for quite a while but had completely forgotten about them until I was clearing my room out the other day! White Musk aside, Japanese Cherry Blossom is definitely my favourite scent from the Body Shop and I've been loving using all products at once as I feel they just smell really summery and light - especially when the British summertime isn't quite living up to the definition of summer so I can get that summertime feeling whilst staying inside the house too! Saying that, today is a good day and I'm writing this post on my iPad in the warm sunshine in my garden! Fingers crossed the sun is here to stay for a while!







Next up is my favourite moisturisers of the month. My favourite facial moisturiser is the Neutrogena Visably Clear Oil-Free Moisturiser and for my body Clinique Turnaround Body Smoothing Cream. You may have seen in one of my previous posts that i suffer from keratosis pilaris, or tiny pimples, mainly on the backs of my arms but also around my jawline and slightly onto my face. I've found that although they haven't completely cleared the condition up, they have both helped massively to clear up the redness and lessen the amount of tiny pimples on my arms and face. Even if you don't suffer from keratosis pilaris, I would still hugely recommend both the two products. Both leave your skin so soft and super hydrated! 












I have one standout make up product this month and that is the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Elusive. After wanting one for ages, I've FINALLY got round to purchasing a Revlon balm. The matte balm I picked up is so pigmented and is really opaque after just one coat. I love the colour Elusive for both day and night time wear, it's a noticeable pink colour which isn't too bright or in your face and I'd say would be suited to many skin tones! 








A more random product I was loving last month is the Colgate Max White One Optic toothpaste. I'm always looking for ways to brighten my teeth and decided to give this a try when I found it for half price in Tescos last month. Although whitening toothpastes are not miracle workers and there is only so much whitening they can do, I've definitely noticed a difference. This Optic version promised to give a brighter smile after just one use and it certainly does, leaving teeth super shiny and clean for the day after brushing! 










The final thing I've been loving in June is a TV programme. Something I've been absolutely consumed by this month is Orange is the New Black. I've heard so much about this programme over the last year or so but never really knew too much about its premise and never had the time to watch it when I was still studying at uni. Once I broke up for summer I decided to get my monies worth out of Netflix and give it a watch... I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED. From the very first episode I've been hooked, it's like nothing else on tv at the moment and I cannot recommend it enough. I've just watched the last episode this weekend and I really don't know what I'm going to do with my life now that I have to wait until next year for the next season. I could go on all day about this AMAZING show but I'll just say that I recommend it to you so so much if you haven't already watched it!







So that's it, my first ever favourite's post for the month of June!











What were your June favourites?

Patterned Polish of the Week #2

It's Friday and therefore it's that time of week again! But what patterned polish have I settled on this week?

Well for starters, this week I chose the colour Cobalt Blue from Maxfactor's Glossfinity range. And I chose this colour for no reason other than I absolutely love it! 

But which pattern did I decide to stamp it with from from Konad M83?

This especially pretty pattern!

I feel like it looks really classy and intricate but is so easy to just stamp on!

As usual, I stamped using Konad Special Stamping Polish in White.

Hope you liked this weeks patterned polish! Come back next Friday for my next design!

First Impressions: L'Oreal Elvive Fibrology Shampoo and Conditioner

The L'Oreal Elvive Fibrology Shampoo and Conditioner has been much written about over the last couple of months and so after reading both the hype and disappointment people were experiencing, I decided purchase the shampoo and conditioner to make my my up for myself.

I have long hair, which whether I blowdry or airdry, is naturally very straight and flat. I've tried many volumising products in the past to try and give my hair thickness and bounce and although my current routine is working (post on this coming soon), I couldn't resist trying out L'Oreal's new offering.

Unlike normal volumising products, L'Oreal Elvive Fibrology products claim to thicken individual strands of hair, which in turn creates volume and thickens the hair wash after wash. L'Oreal write that this is all possible through a revolution in haircare with the creation of filloxane, which is 'a patented ingredient proven to penetrate the fibre and expand hair from within.'

So does it actually work? After the first wash using the shampoo and conditioner, my hair feels slightly thicker and definitely looks more voluminous. Another bonus is both the shampoo and conditioner smell really nice and after the first wash have left my hair feeling smooth and soft.

On the whole, nothing drastic as of yet but after the first wash things are looking promising!  A criticism I've read is that after multiple washes the products can leave your hair feeling pretty dry and looking dull, whether or not this will happen with me I don't know, but a full review will be posted after I've used this product for a good few washes and I'll let you know what I think!

Have you used any of the L'Oreal Elvive Fibrology products? What did you think?

The L'Oreal Fibrology Shampoo and Conditioner are currently half price at £2 each for 400ml sized bottles in Sainsburys.

Patterned Polish of the Week! | #1

Taking inspiration from my blog's name, 'Patterned Polish of the Week' is my new weekly segment which showcases my love of nail stamping and each week's chosen design! I got into nail stamping around a year ago and surprised at how easy it was, and how good nail art created with stamping looked, I quickly became addicted.

So for this week, and the very first 'Patterned Polish of the Week', which nail stamping design from Konad M63 did I choose...??

It's the Dogtooth pattern!

At first I considered stamping a traditional black and white but as I wanted to keep my nails pretty summery, I decided to go for something for a little different!

So here's what I came up with!

Classic dogtooth nails with a summery twist!

The base was created using Barry M Nail Paint in Turquoise. I had a tidy/clear out of my ever expanding nail polish collection yesterday and came across this polish which I haven't used in so long and had pretty much forgotten about! It's such a lovely colour for summer!

For the stamped dogtooth designed, I used both the Konad M63 Stamping Plate and Konad Special Stamping Polish in White. 

I think the colours really complement each other and give a perfect twist on classic dogtooth print!

As you can see from the close up of this design, the stamp didn't transfer perfectly in some places but overall I'm really pleased with the results!

Do you like the idea of me posting a weekly 'Patterned Polish of the Week'? Have you ever tried nail stamping? What do you think of the twist on the classic black and white dogtooth print?