RECAP : #PTALive Melbourne 2014

Heya and how's it going :)))

So its been a while since i last did a blog post ... 

I am sorry???? Lol

So easter break has officially started and i finally have all MAJOR uni assignments done.. .well most of them ... haha

And i finally have time to update this lovely random world i call a Blog!

Anyway, so me and my dormie/buddy Stephine attended (more like i "begged" her to come with me and convinced her there will be cute guys :P ) this event called Penguin Teen  Australia Live aka #PTALive at Melbourne Central on 14 April and was probably one of the best experience I've had in my unilife !!!

waiting in line with Stephine so we had to take a selfie :P 

Basically PTA Live is a showcase/convention organized the publisher Penguin where they showcase what's new and popular in Young Adult Literature as well as bookish related topics.

TOP 5

The night started off with the team sharing their top 5 books :

Side Effects May Vary, Julie Murphy

New release of 2014 that i was looking forward to and I in fact purchase myself a copy the moment i got into the cinema. The title kinda reminded me a bit of TFIOS and there is elements that reminded me a bit of TFIOS but from the looks of it, its gonna be very diffrent (btw this is what i am currently reading).

The Fault in Our Stars, John Green 

Totally agree on this to be on the top 5 list and if you want to hear me ramble more of this awesome roller coaster that is only going up yet will kinda make you cry buckets of tears check out my review of TFIOS 

On the Jellicoe Road, Melina Marchetta

An Australian YA contemporary classic that i am kicking my self in the head for not getting! 

Its currently in my cart on bookworld so i am probably gonna purchase it soon.

Anna and the French Kiss, Stephanie Perkins

This i totally agree too! Stephine Perkins is one of my new fav authors that i recently found.  

Anna and the french Kiss is cute contemporary romance story that i can so relate to (fun fact i was "ship" to Australia for my final year of high school and choose to continue on with uni).

Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead

I have the first book and i am still kinda skeptical even though i am assured there is no "sparkly vampires" and full of epicness. Gonna get started on the series this Easter break.

Other Publishers Books We Love

 

If I Stay, Gayle Forman

Where She Went, Gayle Forman

I got Just One Day by Geyle Forman at the event. gonna be adding If i stay and Where She Went to my wish list 

Eleanor and Park, Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell

Gosh i love both books by Rainbow Rowell!!!! 

Another awesome new contemporary who writes cute and realistic stories that makes you say "THAT'S SO ME"

I love both books for different reasons:

Fangirl as it was First Year Uni Me minus the love story ( I NEED A LEVI IN MY LIFE TO MAKE ME STARBUCKS!!! )

Eleanore & Park as its a sweet bitter sweet romance

The Impossible Memory of Knife, Laurie Halse Anderson
 Going Too Far, Jennifer Echols

These Broken Stars, Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner

Someone remind me to crack open this book as it is said to be an epic Titanic in outer space! 

 I have this on my TBR Shelve after i saw an autograph copy at Dymocks and its staring at me waiting for me to open it.

Pushing the Limits series, Katie McGarry

 A darker New Adult romance that i have heard alot of people rave about it.

I only have the third book and from what i heard the forth book is coming out in a couple of months time

Other Books We Want to Read

Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi

Miss Peregrine’s Home for the Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs

Anna Dressed in Blood, Kendare Blake

The Geography of You and Me, Jennifer E. Smith

The Diviners, Libba Bray

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Michelle Hodkin

Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

Slammed, Colleen Hoover

Under the Never Sky, Veronica Rossi

Obsidian, Jennifer L. Armentrout

forgive me for the kinda blurry pic :s

What's interesting about this is that i have been eying on starting most of this books but have yet to pick them up.

I especially want to read Shatter Me, Throne of Glass and anything by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Underrated

Most of the books that are underrated surprised me! especially the legend and lunar chronicles series!

My Life Next Door, Huntley Fitzpatrick

I got this at the event the moment I walked in as its only $10!!! that's alot cheaper than the book depository!! 

I heard nothing but rave reviews about this especially from my fav booktuber the bookables.

This is described to be a " summer" contemporary romance read.

Can't wait to crack this open!

The Legend Series, Marie Lu

This is on my bucket list of series i want to start!

Kinda surprise its underrated as its been highly raved as an epic sci-fi  series

Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Marissa Meyer

I FANGIRL HERE!!!! 

The lunar chronicles is a series that i have read all published books and am still hitting myself in the head for not start this epic series sooner!

A futuristic sci fi fairytale retelling of Cinderella, Little Red Ridding Hood and Rapunzel 

The forth book Winter does not release till next year (2015 plz come sooner!!!)

ps: you can keep Kai and Wolf but Thorne is mine!!! ... :P sorry Cress

The Enemy series Charlie Higson

Book to Movie Adaptation talk

Vampire Academy series

 

Okay after going to PTA live I really need to get into this series as i seriously need to understand the epicness of this book as I'll ashamely say it ....  I was lost ... so LOST ... lost lost lost!! lol

The film was released earlier this year and according to the VA fans the film was not as good as the books... so yah ... gonna pick up the book soon since the first book is staring at my face and if i like it I might pick up the graphic novel since I am a fan of graphic novels

Also with the launch of PenguinTeenAus new Youtube channel, we were treated to a sneak peak as well as an interview with the author of Vampire Academy Richelle Mead

BLOODLINE BOOK TRAILER

 

Also there was a special appearance of  Nic Wheeler who acts as Adrian for the Bloodlines book trailers. *swoon

The Fault In Our Stars

Get your tissues ready as this is gonna be "one sick love story"!

No Pun Intended

GOSH!! i fangirled my heart out when we talked about TFIOS movie!!!

Like alot of us in the room the PTA team are gearing up for the release of the movie in June!

We also watched the trailer and the "little infinity" feature and that's when the feels came ...

this movie is gonna kill me .... 

*note to self ... wear waterproof make up ... when watching the movie... 

During the intermission, while everyone was waiting in line to take a pic with Nic, I skip to the front of the cinema to take a pic with Felicity (and buy more books ...lol) who was our host for the night as well as the Marketing Manager of Penguin Australia and the Mastermind behind PTA.

She later on talked to us about her job at Penguin and gave us a behind the scenes of the publishing world. 

Its really cool to finally meet the "mystery person" behind the tweets and what's cooler is her TFIOS shirt which warning ... spoilers!!! 

*hello sweetie :P 

Up and coming books for 2014

Lastly we discuss the books that are gonna be release later this year among those include:

Winning the Player, Leesa Bow –ebook only (new adult)

Breakable, Tammara Webber

The Immortal Crown, Richelle Mead

Silver Shadows, Richelle Mead (5th book in the bloodline series)

The Revenge of Seven, Pittacus Lore

Shatter, by Erin McCarthy

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey (sequal to the 5th wave )

 

Blood of Olympus: Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes

The Fault in Our Stars, John Green

*Sigh

I can just stare at the cover for hours (especially at Ansel Elgort *wink *wink)

And yes there is a new cover out for TFIOS which is the book to movie adaptation cover 

And yes I am thinking of getting it even though i already own a copy of TFIOS

 

Popular, Maya Van Wagenen

 

So everyone who attended PTA live got a copy of this book !

Its a memoir of a girl who finds book which is a "guide to popularity" from the 1950's  and uses it for a little social experiment.

What's interesting is that the author is only 15 years old!! 

Now that;s mind blowing cool!!

Dangerous Creatures, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – series spin off of Beautiful Creatures series

 

So there is gonna be a spin-off to the Beautiful Creatures series called Dangerous Creatures which will follow Ridley (if you don't already recognize the lolly pop) and Link in New York! 

I've read beautiful creatures last year but have yet to read the follow up of the series. I probably will continue on with the series some day but not now as i have way too many books on my hands to read. 

The Rapunzel Dilemma, Jen Kloester

 

Another fairy tale retelling set in the modern day. This one is based off Rapunzel. 

Its also the Squeal to The Cinderella Moment which i have seen in Big W and had my eyes on for a while but just have yet to pick it up. 

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

I really need to get my hands on Scott Westerfeld books!!! 

When they were talking about the synopsis of this book I immediately added it on my wish list!

Its about Darcy who wrote a teen novel call Afterworld and in alternative chapters is about Darcy's book character Lizzie who slip into the "Afterworld'.

Gosh i am terrible at trying to describe this so here is the Goodreads page to the book to do justice to the synopsis! lolz!!

Also what caught my attention of this was when they told us about the blurbs from authors like John Green and Maureen Johnson were hilarious!!! 

The blurbs for "Afterworld" can be found on Scott Westerfeld's blog

 TFIOS POSTER!!!

The one of the best part of the event was to get this lovely TFIOS POSTER!!!!! 

On one side it says "Some Infinities Are Bigger Than Others" while on the other side is the famous "Okay? Okay." quote!!! 

Gosh were we all happy fangirls!!!! 

When they were giving out the posters it was like when Oprah or Ellen saying " YOU'RE GETTING A CAR" !!! 

And that guys ... was the end of PTA Live.

Thanks to the Penguin Teen Australia Team for organizing this awesome event!!

Hopefully I can attend another event like this in the future (we'll see since its my last year in Australia for Uni)

#booksandface selfie ;3

My partner in crime Stephine and I had an awesome time at PTA LIVE!! 

Also as we were leaving the Cinema I saw the Divergent Posters and had to take a pic with Tish and Four!!!


So That's my recap on PTA LIVE.

 Also ... i kinda few books so if you want to see a "Mini" book haul click the pic to another blog post of the books i got at the event as well as my Youtube Channel RowReads

BookWorld which is an Australian online bookseller were selling some of the recommended books at the event and I might have gotten myself some new books since they were discounted.

They also had a coupon code of 20% off the site

BW-IB2BKN

Check out Penguin Teen Australia via:

Blog 

Twitter

Facebook

Youtube 

 What books caught your attention ??? 

Till Next Time 

~oxox rotan~

Prey for Flight MH370

Heya

So on Friday March 7, 11.45PM I left Malaysia to go back to Melb, Australia for Uni.

I was taking Malaysian Airlines which is the airlines i usually take when traveling.

That evening just as my plane was about to take off a little voice in my head told me to say a little prayer...

Now i am not a very religious person and I usually don't talk about my faith or religion openly (I am Buddhist btw) but whenever i travel i always wear my Buddha beads as it makes me feel safe. 

Anyway I said a quick prayer and we were off.

8 hours++ later we landed safely in Melbourne and when I after customs, baggage collection, taxi chasing and all things fun about traveling I finally reach my dorm room at one where I have internet access and I can change my phone chip to my Vodafone SIM card .

The moment I opened Facebook I was shocked and sadden to learn the news about the missing plane MH370 as I was in that terminal (probably even walked passed it as my flight was near there but changed to another part of the terminal) and its the same plane company that I was using.

I immediately called my parents who had heard of the news were worried for me having that I didn't call them sooner as my phone was on the Malaysia SIM card.

Till now (9 March 2014 at 10.35 pm Melbourne time) there is still no news about the missing plane.
I ask my dear blog readers to pray for the flight to be found. Prey for the safety of the passengers and the crew and pray for their love ones.

Also pray for anyone and everyone who's traveling for a safe journey.

#PREYFORMH370 

~oxox rotan~

 

October "Classy" Her Fashion Box unboxing (Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle subscription box)

Heya!!

So i have an un boxing from Her Fashion Box having that i just started subscribing to them after hearing all the great stuff about them from Australian Youtube and the Beauty Blogger world.

I thought it will be a great way to step out of my comfort zone and just have fun trying out new things by ordering a subscription box.

So basically HerFashion Box is an Australian monthly subscription box service where for $39.90 you can get a box with about 3 Fashion items and 4 beauty/lifestyle items which will usually be at a value of over $110!!!

You can choose from three types of boxes which style suits your style/taste/personality which is Classy, Trendy and Feminine.

 The box i choose was the "Classy" box and the theme of the month is "Down To Earth"

So when you first get the box in the mail it comes packed nice wraped with a pink box.

Ta-Daaaa the un opening box number 1

So the nice sleek black box that holds all the products in it. Its magnetic and quiet strong and good quality so you can definitely keep the box to keep the stuff you wanna keep in it.

Firstly it comes with some coupons and a magazine which holds all the infomation you'll need of the products in the box.

The fashion 

"Great Southern Land" necklace

So it has a really nice kinda tribal necklace that will make a really nice statement piece.
I usually am not a jewelry person so this will be fun to accessorize with

Left: "Trial Blazer" ring and Right "The Eternity" ring

It also comes with a nice turquoise statement ring and a mini infinity ring.

I always wanted to get one of this large statement ring so i was definitely happy to see that in my box!

The Beauty

From left to right: Revitanail Nail Polish in "marshmallow", Ulta 3 Lipstick in "Red Sahara", Lonvcitalite Collagen Crystal Eye Mask

Nail polish

Revitanail Nail Polish in "marshmallow"

I've seen this brand at priceline before but never really tried it.

Its a nice nude pink color and the name "marshmellow" is really cute.

Lip stick

Ulta 3 Lipstick in "Red Sahara"

Ulta3 is a really popular inexpensive brand  here in Australia. 

I own ulta 3 nail polish but never seen the make up in stores at where i live.

I've seen a few aussie youtubers showned the ulta 3 lipstick so it will br great to try this out.

The packaging is nice and sleek and reminds me of the covergirl lipsticks

The color is a nice deep red color... kinda look like a darker version of covergirl's "hot passion". Cant wait to play around with it.

Eye mask

Lonvcitalite Collagen Crystal Eye Mask

Once again not really familiar with this brand nor have i seen this in stores.

Its an eye mask to hydrate, reduce under eyes dark circles and firm the under eyes.

Can't wait to try this as i have been looking at trying under eye masks for a while now.

The lifestyle

Skin Bright oh my! evening tea

This was what i probably was super excited for! I love love LOVE tea and drink tons of it!

This is a loose-leaf tea and from the description its meant to be like a soothing tea for night time before you sleep.

Not so sure how that's going to work but i am super excited to try!

*update* was watching the other video and read the little magazine that it came with i was suppose to get a tea strainer but for an odd reason i didnt get it... ah well i have a nice teapot waiting for me :D


Check out my youtube channle/ video if you want to see my reaction to the first time unboxing this box!

The unboxing that i did was my reaction when I literally first open the box so forgive me it I do look clueless but like i say i didn't want to look into the magazine as i wanted it to be a surprise!

Overall

This is the first time I subscribed to a subscription box and i am super please with the products that i got!

The concept of Her Fashion Box is really unique as you not only get beauty samples (which are usually deluxe or full size) but also fashion and lifestyle items as well.

I was super excited when i went to collect my parcel and when i was filming my unboxing for my youtube channel i had my friend Azelia in the room with me to check out the content of the box with me.

 
I will definitely continue subscribing  to Her Fashion Box whenever i am in the country (i go back to Malaysia every few months) as i really enjoy the products that are the box.

It definitely is a great way to step out of your comfort zone and try new things

Apart from the jewelry i am definitely gonna  enjoy the nail polish and lipstick and tea!

If you are interested in signing up for Her Fashion Box you can sigh up here.

Don't forget you can also get 50% off your first box (That's $19.95!!!) by using codeword:  

HFBLOVE

Also i got my first order with using a coupon code for 50% off using some random coupon code I found online.

Check out HerFashionBox site

What did you think of this box and its content???

Till next time!! 

~oxox rotan~

Find Asos Uni Treasure Hunt... the crazy thing i do in life!

Heya!!!

So this afternoon was probably one of the craziest afternoon i have ever experience while at uni that has nothing to do with exams or assignments... instead i spent an hour +++ waiting in line on a VERY SUNNY DAY while dress like it is still in the dead of winter aka Ugg boots and jumper for the goodies that Asos was giving out at my uni!

Ok so first off i got a notification from the Lost on Campus app on my trusty iphone and it said that at mid day to type in #findasos into my phone which i did and when i got to the hidden treasure hunt place at midday MAN WERE THERE ALOT OF PEOPLE! lolz

So it turns out some have gotten the notification early or saw the clues around Uni so they got the advantage of being there early and alot of them have been waiting out there since 11am! gosh!

I reach there at 12pm just sprinted from my class and man the line ...

Yah i waited for 1 hour and 11 minute (yes i timed myself :P)

Spotted a random ASOS balloon flying ;p

So cause i was by myself i had no one to chat to so for once the ebooks on my ipad came in handy! :P

Read about 22 pages of French Star in New York by Anna Adams :P my current favorite book ... would have read wattpad or fanfic but my ebooks have lately been neglected :P

Also they gave out bottled water which was a good ideal of them having it was very VERY hot!! Cool cute bottle with ASOS on it!


So after an hour++ of waiting i finally got in and most of the stuff were gone! :'( NOOOO!!!!

But then i saw this jersey cold shoulder top and i was like.... yah my effort is not going to waste after all :P and picked it up and went.


When i got home i tried it on an ... um ....

Its long... ITS VERY LONG!! Lolz ita up to my leg so i assume this is actually dress... Yah i think its not a shirt but a dress...

I look like a modern version of Boo from Monster Inc!!! haha!!!

So i tucked in the shirt into my jeans, pull out a bit to loosen the ends and yay! i got myself a slightly loose cold shoulder shirt!

So guys lesson learned... is good things come to those who wait (yah i am once again quoting a David Archuleta song :P)  and its university ... we bound to do something crazy in our uni life... although compare to others I don't know how my "crazy" idea of waiting in line on a sunny day for hours just for freebies will be like to you guys ... haha.

Also ASOS gave everyone a 20% off coupon on your next order which is valid till 12 September 2013. Click the code below to be directed to the website.

FOUNDASOS

  

So go knock yourself out with this great coupon deal from Asos and treat yourself to that little something you've been eyeing on :D

Other than that ... just another ramble and random blog post from me :P

What's the craziest thing you've done for a freebie???? This was definitely one of the craziest thing I've done :P  

And by the way Hiiiiiiii xD!!!

Thought I post a pic of myself at the end! 

Just being random ;))))


Till Next Time!!!

~oxox rotan~

Mothers Day Ideas #2 : From A Distance With LOVE

Heya!!

So i posted some ideas on how I'll spend Mothers Day with my dear Mama.

Now in case you don't know i am currently studying abroad and have been living away from my family for over 3 years now so this will be the third Mother's day that i wont be able to spend with mum.

So here are some ideas that i will suggest if you are someone who is can't spend Mother's day with Mama in person but want to spend it from a distance (like me! :P)

MAIL TIME!!!!!

Send mum a Mother's Day Card or a Letter!

It may take a while to get there and it may be a bit old fashion but i like this idea as its something more personal and its from the heart.

If you are willing to spend a bit more money then you can send a little package (a little as shipping is expensive!) to mum with her favorite chocolates or a souvenir!  

Random note: i wanted the pic to be Mailbox form Blues Clues but i thought this was batter ;D

Call / Skype with mum

Its a small world after all

Thank you technology !

So here is a fact about me... i still call my mum at lease 3 times a day while i am here in Uni... and i have been in uni for 3 years...

There is something nice and comforting about hearing my mum's voice and just keeping up to date with her and sharing what's been going on in my life.

Giving a call to mum is something that we should not only do on mothers day but as often as possible as i think a nice way to catch up with mum and also (in my case) assure her that you're doing well.

Also send her a lovely text message first thing in the morning as your message will definitely brighten up her day! 

Now if your mum is tech savvy with the internet i will suggest skype/ video chat with mum as it will be nice to see Mum's face too (that came out wrong but you know what I meant :P).

Video /Slideshow Tribute

Last Year i made a short video tribute for mothers day that was covering Taylor Swift Never Grow Up on the piano for my mum. 

You can make a slideshow with a short message to sent to mum.

This i find this unique as well easy as it does not cost a cent to make! just a bit of time and a lot of Heart and Soul.

It's personal and if you love making vidoe this is the way to go.

Hope this ideas were useful and once again don't just treat mum special on Mother's Day as everyday is Mother's Day.

~oxox rotan~