Book Review; Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy

Okay okay, I know what you're thinking "everyone's read Fifty Shades, everyone knows about it" BUT I only just read the books in September, a few years after everyone else and the initial release. I tend to do this mainly so no one can tell me what happens when they see I'm reading it, and I like doing things out of the hype.

So, normally, I wouldn't talk about anything so personal, but this book has really brought it out into the light for me, I do enjoy these sexual erotic books - they reflect how I may feel, or what its like to be in that situation, a sense of escapism. I do enjoy being tied up, I have been for personal reasons and for modelling work which I've done. I enjoy it.

So I'm going to address each book one by one... I'm going to try and not spoil anything for those who are interested in reading but haven't yet, so what I write will be rather cryptic.

Fifty Shades of Grey (Book 1)

I took the first book on holiday with me, knowing I wouldn't finish it, because when I read, I read about 1 chapter at a time, but with this book I read about 7 chapters at a time. My best friend had to try and stop me from reading, I probably could've finished the book by the Wednesday (I started reading it on the train journey on Monday to my holiday) but I tried to savour the book so I could read some for the journey back... Which was unsuccessful. 

I really enjoyed the first book, and I really mean enjoyed. I kept giggling and got so wrapped up into it, I swear my life became a vortex, everything made me question what was going to happen with Ana and Christian, what does he really want, what are his problems, I questioned everything. I completely love how the book is written.  I personally adore Ana's character, I like how weak she can be, but so passionate and open minded, and super curious; in a way, I can see myself in Ana. In all honesty, I kind of cried at the end of the book, I couldn't believe Ana and what she had done, I wanted to kind of shake her and shout at her, but at the same time, I understood why she did what she had done.

Honestly, I'm gonna be pretty shallow and obvious here but I also completely adore Christian's character, although not so much in this book, more so in the second. I think the best part of Christian for me personally, was how quickly he had mood changes, like the slightest thing effected him. I saw this as a highlight mainly because, it brought a sense of urgency and unknown to his character - unpredictability.

I really like the fact that EL James stretched the fact in the book, that if anything was to happen it would be on Ana's terms, hence why Christian offers what he does. I did find this book did have a bad reputation at first, I still do now. I have found a lot of people think this book is about an abusive relationship which it is far from. From my perspective of reading, its an erotic novel based on the ideas of SOFT  (yes, soft, I know what hard is.) BDSM relationships. There is much worse that could

have been done, and Ana in fact asked for the worst (you'll know what I mean if you've read it).

I'm personally not a fan of books which takes the plot super slowly, like this book is based over just a few weeks, however, I'm swayed. I love the details and the depth EL James has gone into in this book, I love the sex scenes and how they've been written and how they develop. My favourite sex scene in this book is probably when Christian says to Ana it's all about touch...

LOVE - The plot, the sex, the characters - EVERYTHING. The perfect 1st book to a Trilogy in my honest opinion.
HATE - I can't really fault anything at all!

Fifty Shades Darker (Book 2)
Personally, I really enjoyed this book, as this flourishes the characters into a whole new light, and how they must adapt to each other, the differences between them and their relationship. At the beginning of the book it continues straight on from the first, however a few days later. Ana has been away from Christian; but things change very quickly.

I really didn't expect the plot to take the turn that it did, but I think it was a good move, however an obvious one. I think Ana does represent how a lot of women feel though, with her self-

confidence low, and that she isn't attractive, like she doesn't understand why she gets so much attention, good move EL James!

Personally, I really like the second book, just as much, if not a smidgen more then the first. I like how this book delves a lot more into Christian and his problems, I find you can understand his character a lot more, why he acts the way he does and why he is so possessive over controlling everything.

Again, I cried at this book... more then three times (is that even acceptable?) but I'm only going to tell you three of them. One was when Leila (one of Christian's exes) is out after them (I will say no more unless you read it!), and I totally feel for Ana when she is with Ethan (her friends brother), I kind of want to get drunk with her. Another, when Christian couldn't be found (I cried for several reasons, not only when they couldn't find him, but why couldn't they, and Ana's reaction to it all just broke my heart in two). And one of the other times was near the end of the book, all I'm saying is... Christian's Birthday, his parents house, the boathouse.... That is all.

This book had be enthralled into it and with the Characters. I read this book in under 2 and a half days it was that good... My favourite sex scene would have to be on the billiard table...

LOVE- Understanding Christian a lot more, the HUGE event towards to the end of the book (which I can't say for those who haven't read the book!)
HATE - Ana's boss (he's just a dick to be really honest).

Fifty Shades Freed (Book 3)

If I'm going to be brutally honest, the first few chapters confused the hell out of me. I have no idea whether we are in the present, the future or the past. I would say, for me, that it just feels like EL James is counter referencing, like flashbacks. Had this have been written as it happens in the present, maybe it would unfold a little differently and be less confusing; but I don't know.

I did find that the book lacked the thorough detail it had in the first 2 books for example at the big event at the start of Freed (again, I'm being cryptic so I don't ruin it for others). It was a perfect chance to really delve and explore their compassion and love, but it all just seemed a bit rushed to me... Which I found disappointing.

However, for me, the redeeming part (and the best part) I found was that the sex in book 3 is MUCH more entertaining and better then in the first two. They are more experimental and Ana gets more of an insight into what Christian likes, and soon finds that she actually grows to like it too.

When I get into something, I get into it pretty deep, so I've really been grasped into this book - which is a sure fire way to know I like something, cause if I don't like it, I get bored and stop doing it (bad attitude I know, but that's me) but I just can't but these books down, the plot in book 3 is drama filled, and kept my heart racing quite a lot. I think by chapter eleven I was already a pool of emotions - and for me, I felt like I was in Ana's shoes, like I was in her situation.

I do have to say though, I'm not a big fan of how quickly the book would jump days, the first 2 books had most days in concession of each day, but in Freed days were jumped a lot more, and I think good scenes in the book, which could've added a real depth to it, where missed or jumped forward; which I personally think is a real shame.

LOVE - The Sex Scenes & Ana standing up for herself more (and the car chase... and the sex after the car chase...)
HATE - The drama towards the end of the chapters - I was genuinely scared for Ana for several reasons - one being Christian.

Overall
I loved this Trilogy; I managed to read all 3 books in just under 2 weeks. I can't remember the last time I read a book, let alone 3 books in such a short amount of time. If someone was to say to me to re-read these books in 2 weeks time, I'd accept happily. The Characters are so well developed and renowned, its really made me want to find my real life Christian Grey (it would help if he was a multi-millionaire too, but hey... a girl can dream). I also love how EL James writes the emails in the book... Christians signature's would really make me crack up with that schoolgirl giggle sometimes! I always looked forward to reading their emails in the book!

My favourite out of all three would definitely be Fifty Shades Darker, I love the progress of the characters and how the develop, argue, flourish and find where each of themselves stand; both in a way, finding their true identities, which have been shielded away or yet to be uncovered fully.

"Do you think there's potential for a fourth book?" I think there is plenty of story to carry it on from a few years later and/or Christian's perspective like we get at the end of Freed in the "Meet Fifty Shades" section. I think EL James would have a tough task writing a fourth though, as it would need to be on the same level, if not better then the first three to recapture the readers (Although I'd die if there was a fourth book I'd want to read it right away!).

However, I'm now moving onto another series of books, again which are erotic fiction. If you enjoyed this review, please let me know, and I will post a review of the next series that I'm reading!

Emma Victoria

xox

Guest Post - Anja from The Ramblings of an Honorary Rascal

Good day my lovelies! Today I have my lovely friend Anja doing a guest post for me! If you are interested in doing a guest post then drop me an email on anchorsawaybeauty@hotmail.com (P.S I have also updated my Summer To-Do List - I will be doing a post on some of the things I have done soon as well!)

xoxo

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Hello lovely people! So I am Anja from 'The Ramblings of an Honorary Rascal', a blog based on my love for all things historical and literary. But seeing as this is Emma's blog and it is a beauty blog, I thought I should try my hand at something 'beauty' for this guest post!

Now I know that a lot of girls want to wear a bit of make-up  as I do, to have a variety of effects, such as evening out your skin tone. But if you're also like me and on a beauty budget, it's hard to find products that give the same effects as 'professional' make-up brands that your favourite beauty gurus may use, without them costing you the earth. So, I thought I would share with you the products that I have found work the best, but on a budget. Each item costs less than £10 each, with the total products adding up to just under £30.

1. Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Night Treatment Gel - £2.99 and Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser - £3.89

2. MUA Eyeshadow (Shade 19 Matte)- £1.00, Collection No Clumps Mascara (Black) - £2.99, Essence Eyeliner Pen (available online), and  MUA Eyeliner (Rich Brown) - £1.00

3. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation (Shade 100 Ivory) - £6.99

4. MUA Lipstick (Shade 11)- £1.00

And these are just some photos to show you how versatile they are!

By far my favourite thing about me is my hair. I usually tend to wear it the way it naturally falls, like in the picture, but sometimes I like to make myself feel a bit more groomed and actually do something with my hair. But as I am the kind of person who takes forever to get out of bed, leaving no time for hair and makeup, I've found these kinds of hairstyles are super easy to do, and each of them take less than 20 minutes to perfect.

So, thank you for bearing with me and reading to the end of this post, if you have, and if you have, well done! If you think you'd like to hear more from me then feel free to check out my blog, or if you have any post requests or just want to say hello then drop me a comment or tweet me at @thenewestenemy. Thanks for reading! :)

Liebster Blog Award Nomination!

Yesterday, I had a comment on my weekly overview post from Deborah from Hellcat Vintage, and she nominated me for the Liebster blog award! I have in fact already been nominated for this once before, (this was back in January, you can read it here) but what's the harm in doing it again! I also want to thank Deborah for nominating me, makes me feel like people do in fact appreciate my blog!

As said before in my previous post, this is an award for bloggers who have 200 followers and less. 'Liebster' which is a German origin word, stands for 'dearest', 'loving' or 'favourite'. The rules of this are that - you must answer the 11 questions given to you by your nominee (in my case, the questions Deborah has asked), you then have to nominate 11 other upcoming bloggers (and notify them on their blogs!) and then write your own 11 questions for them to answer! So lets get this underway!

*UPDATE* - I have also been nominated by Stephanie from Stephanie Maverick, so I will also answer her questions below Deborah's! 

My Questions from Deborah

1. Why did you decide to start blogging?
 I started blogging cause a lot of my friends around me kept nagging me to! Everyone was interested and intrigued in my style, but I also introduced some of my personal life into the blog for myself to a) vent and b) for people to learn from my experiences and for them to be able to talk to me, if they need advice!

2. When did you first fall for vintage/rockabilly fashion?
Well, I first began becoming interested into the whole scene when a once close friend of kine (sadly, we are no longer friends nor are we close) introduced me to Imelda May back in 2008. I completely fell in love with her, the way she dressed and the way she did her make-up. Only in the past 2 and a half years have I really begun dressing in this style of fashion, and personally I feel it complements my figure perfectly and I get so many compliments! I bought my first swing dress back in 2009, for a retro family party, and ever since I haven't stopped buying them! Vintage and Rockabilly for life! 

3. If you could meet anyone from any time period, who would it be?
Oh gosh, this is a tricky one. There are many people I'd love to meet, but I think one that stands out for me, has to be Nan. I am extremely close to my nan, and she was a teenager back in the 50's, I would have loved to have seen how she dressed, her way of life, her job, her family and most of all her social scene. Especially compared to the modern day, times have changed so much. I would love to have seen how she reacted to everything in those days eg introduction of rock and roll, segregation, etc.

4. If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be?
Because I am so super obsessed with Alice in Wonderland recently, I'd love to meet the Mad Hatter! He is so eccentric and crazy, I'd love to have a tea and cake with him!

5. What is your favourite food?
My favourite food at the moment has to probably be raspberries with Marshmallow Fluff. I've no idea why, but its becoming a seriously worrying addiction.

6. You win the lottery... what do you do with the money?
I think it depends on the amount, I'd like to ideally donate half to my current work, as what they do for disabled children is amazing and they deserve as much funding as they could possibly get! With the rest of the money, I'd love to set up a retro and rockabilly store, ranging from accessories  clothes and including old vinyl's and old vintage pieces people no longer want.

7. Do you have a guilty pleasure? Do tell...
Oh gosh, what is my guilty pleasure... It has to be watching Spongebob Squarepants at any possible time I get... Its pretty sad, but when I'm feeling a little low that programme always cheers me up!

8. If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I'd probably have to pick my cadillac skirt from 'What Shall I Wear Boutique' and my white top with black polka bow, along with my black patent heels!

9. Where if your favourite place to vacation?
I think it depends, I love going to different places all the time, whether its in the UK or abroad. At the moment, I'm seriously in the mood for saving up and doing a tour of different places in America. 

10. When you were little, what did you want to be? Did you accomplish that dream?
As cliché as it sounds, I wanted to be doing something to help others and benefit them. And I am pleased to say I've been doing this for 4 years now. I help train children in wheelchairs with mental and physical disabilities how to play wheelchair football, I work as a teaching assistant and personal carer and training in speech and music therapy to help these children and adults further who have disabilities.

11. If you were stuck on a deserted island, what one luxury would you want to have with you?
I think it depends on whether you are alone on the island or not, if you are then I'd chose for someone to be there with me, generally because then I wouldn't be alone and 2 people is always better then one. If its a material item, I'd probably choose a tent, generally because then I'd have shelter before finding somewhere more efficient and convenient on the island.

My Questions from Stephanie

1. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?

I'm not quite sure! I'd love to be in New York probably! I'm going away with my best friend Charlie in January for a week to New York, but I've also been before! 

2. Whats your favourite lipstick?

This is a toughie, I tend to have phases where I wear different lipsticks – currently I’m obsessed with the Seventeen lipstick in shade ‘Hollywood’, it has a gorgeous blue undertone to it, and it reminds me more of a deep rouge color rather than a bright red lipstick!

3.When it comes to eyeliner, do you wing it, smoke it or not use it?

We should all know the answer to this with me… I obviously wing it! I don’t do a huge wing on my I do a subtle little flick just at the corner of my eye!

4. Dragons or Unicorns?

It has to be unicorns! Just because I generally live in a fantasy bubble… And Unicorns are cute!

5. If you could meet anyone in the world from any time period, who would it be?

Oh gosh, there is so many people I would love to meet… But I’d love to have met (as cliché as it sounds) I’d love to have met either Jayne Mansfield or Elvis (just as he became super famous).

6.Do you prefer your hair up or down?

I think it depends on my mood, if my hair looks like rubbish, then I will have it up, just so it doesn’t look too bad! But I like to have half my hair up and half my hair down. Every day though, when it’s not super-hot, I like having my hair down so it can flow in the wind!

7. On vacation do you wear dresses and skirts or jeans and shorts?

Well because I live in dresses for most of my life, cause I’m pretty obsessed with dresses, so it’d only be right to say dresses and skirts!

8. Sandals or flip flops?

I prefer sandals, just because they are a little more stylish rather then flip flops. But if I’m going to the beach then I’d probably say flip flops.

9. What is your feel good summer time song right now?

Recently after feeling pretty low and super unhappy I’ve been listening to The Playtones – Too Bad song… Especially with my disaster of my relationships, this song pretty much sums up the past few months.

10. What’s your favourite nail polish called and where is it from?

Currently I’ve been exploring a lot of the Barry M Hi-Shine Gelly nail polish, I’m in love with the colour ‘Blood Orange’ – it’s a deep red and I love the shine on your nails when its dried!

11. What do you want to get out of blogging & where do you see yourself a year from now?

Most of all, I want to enjoy blogging, and I want the people who read my blog to enjoy it too. I want to help inspire people who may be struggling with their personal life or maybe just want to stand out a little more with their fashion. A year from now, I’d like to have possibly built my blog a bit better then it is now, possibly open a blog shop, and some time in the near future to do giveaways (possibly when I get to 100 followers). Most of all, I just hope that a year from now I’m still blogging, and people are still reading my blog!

The 11 Bloggers I nominate for the award

1. Stephanie - Stephanie Maverick
2. Elle - Elle Dees Beauty
3. Amna - ASQGenerates 
4. Becca - WonderColourBehind A Frosted Window 
5. Leigh - i m l e i g h 
6. Kayleigh - Kayleigh's Beauty Fix
7. Anja - The Ramblings of an Honorary Rascal 
8. Lauren - Laurelbay-Bird
9. Harjit - Testing Panel
10. Daphne - Peanut Butter and Chocolate Life
11. Marlee - Beauty by Marlee

My 11 Questions to my Nominees

1. If you had to pick one beauty product for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
2. What is your overall lifetime goal?
3. What would you rather wear, if you could chose only one for the rest of your life... A t-shirt and jeans or a dress?
4. What do you like to do, to cheer yourself up when you feel really sad?
5. Fashion wise, would you say you dress in a particular way, such as a music genre?
6. What is one thing you could never live without?
7. Would you prefer heels or flats?
8. What is your favourite, book, tv programme and film?
9. If you had to live in any time period (apart from the modern day) what would you pick?
10. If you could be one person in the world, who would you be?
11. What have you learn't from blogging, and what have you learn't about other people from it?

Much Love

Emma Victoria

xoxo

Anladia Hot Pink Messenger Bag

Okay so this week I decided I needed a new handbag! I have quite a few but decided I needed a multi functioning bag! So on I went onto the beautiful world of the Internet and found a company called Anladia. On this website they have various things including; Hats, Bags, Clothing, Make-up etc. So as I browsed through all the bags on their website (some which I really liked some which I didn't) and came across the 'Oilcloth Polka Dots Body Messenger Saddle' bag in Hot Pink. I did have the dilemma of whether to get this bag in either a Sage or Hot Pink. After a debate with my mum to help me decide, I bought the bag in Hot Pink. The bag which I ordered on the 15th January arrived this morning (the 18th), with the bag in a protective vanity bag.  The bag is much more like a small handbag then it is a big satchel bag i.e not the sort of bag you would use to carry your college books around in, as the bag is a bit smaller in size. However, in this bag there are lots of little pockets all on the inside and out. As you can see from the picture on the upper right I already have my diary and also popped some lip products such as Vaseline and Maybelline Lip Gloss into my bag! Behind my cute spotty diary there is another little zip which is perfect for putting keys in (and yes keys with lots of Key chains  as well as a pen and maybe some loose change! On the front of the bag there is 2 pockets which are perfect for little bits and bobs. The quality of this bag is fantastic, the oilcloth material means that this bag is waterproof as well so perfect for the unpredictable UK weather! In this bag you still get the typical 3 pockets on the inside where you have a phone pouch and a nice long pouch or in this case 2 for change and odd bits! In the picture on the lower left you can see the back of the bag, there is yet another zip! Fab! This makes me so happy, 'cause I love bags with zips on the back, for me I usually tend to put my phone in this part

as its nearest my body and I usually have this bit tucked up on the side of me! Another great feature about this bag is the leather buckles on the front of the bag. These are so easy to use with this bag as on the front 2 pouches of the bag there is some poppers which secure the buckles down to close the bag, however, for an added security feature on this bag you can actually zip up the main compartment of this bag, so there is no worries if you are walking down a busy and crowded high street! Another handy feature with this bag that I usually find a very common negative with most other bag's I purchase is that the strap doesn't constantly fall off your shoulder if you are walking very briskly! The strap is a shade of beige which compliments the brown on the leather buckles on the front of the bag. The strap is adjustable as well and is very easy to adjust! On the outside of the bag there is also 2 open pockets on the side, I never usually tend to use these outside pockets as they make anything in them very visible to everyone, and I usually just ignore them as part of a feature on a bag. This bag is definitely my favourite as of now, its made of such a good quality and I'm sure that I will have this bag for a long time to come! I bought the bag for €18.75 plus €2.00 for shipping which converted equals to about  £17.71 including shipping! I myself see this bag as a bargain! Honestly, if you are looking for a messenger type or satchel bag them this one is for you! On the Anladia site they have various different colours for this bag, and you may also be able to get the bag in a pattern too!


Emma
xoxo