Monday, January 27, 2014

The Heroes of Olympus, A Recommended Series.

Is it worth your time? 
Of course it is. You'd be a fool not to read this series.
I will try not to give away any spoilers, but I'm sorry in advance if I do.

About the series

The Heroes of Olympus by the infamous Rick Riordan, the author of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians, revolves around the seven chosen demigods who travel across the seas to stop the rise of a certain old and unexpectedly evil Goddess. The seven demigods were brought together to fulfill the prophecy that was introduced in the Percy Jackson series.

"Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire, the world must fall,
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arm to the Doors of Death."


The first book, The Lost Hero, introduces the first three of the seven; Jason, Piper and Leo. Jason apparently has lost his memories, wakes up on a bus with his supposed best friends, Piper and Leo. The story moves forward with these three main characters, and portrays how their friendship grows, their exciting adventures, and shocking realizations.

The second book, The Son of Neptune, revolves around the other three of the seven demigods. Percy, Hazel and Frank. The Son of Neptune is of course, Percy Jackson, if you all didn't already guess. This second edition to the series, is quite similar to the first. It focuses on how close these three characters get, and their exhilarating adventures and fight scenes. I personally, didn't get into this book, the adrenaline from the first book kind of died out with this one.


The third book, The Mark of Athena, picks up directly after the Son of Neptune. This is the book where the seven demigods of the prophecy unite, plan, and fight their way to defeat the enemy/ies. This is my favorite book of the series. It brought out so many different emotions that it was hard to point out what was actually felt.

The fourth book, The House of Hades, continues the story of the final events in the Mark of Athena. The book goes on telling the progress the seven demigod heroes have made, what mischief, accidents and mishaps they've caused, what monsters they've faced and what other awesome blessing they've got from their God parents. I didn't find this as engrossing as the Mark of Athena, but there were moments of shock and anticipation.

~ ~ ~

Reading through the first four books of the Heroes of Olympus right after each other with no room for any other books with its fictional worlds and characters, was a journey. A journey filled with all kinds mishaps, new funny characters that I've grown attached to, and exciting nonstop adventures.

This series is a little bit darker, and waaaay longer than the Percy Jackson series. And if you're wondering if you should read the Percy Jackson series before starting this one. I recommend that you do, but it's all up to you, if you're up for understanding the story behind Percy and some of the characters in the book, go for it. But if you want to go straight to The Heroes of Olympus, go right ahead, there are mentions of Percy's past that were used as reference to the series. There is no need to worry about missing out, Riordan explained most of the events that occurred in the Percy Jackson series that was mentioned in the Heroes of Olympus series.

And though the last book, Bloods of Olympus, has yet to come (release date: October 7 2014) the series so far has been exciting, exhilarating, funny, unputdownable and unstoppable. It is definitely a recommended one to those who enjoy reading about mythological adventures, demigods, modernized Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses, and to those who are looking for a new world to get sucked into. Give this series a go. You won't regret it!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Brilliant Earth's Personality Style Challenge

A couple of days back, the Community Outreach Coordinator at Brilliant Earth invited me to take part in their Personality Style Challenge, and I thought, "oooo this sounds fun! I'll do it!" and emailed her right back with no hesitation saying that I was IN!

We were required to choose a couple of Brilliant Earths jewelry and compile an outfit/look based on that, and as well as basing it on our own theme and/or mood.

Picking my three favorite out of the ton I was given to choose from, I went with simple yet elegant. 

18K White Gold Round Diamond Stud Earrings

18K White Gold Vintage Sapphire and Diamond Ring

Silver Leaf Pendant with Ethically Sourced Green Sapphire

A red skater dress paired with a thin brown waist belt and a cornelli cream crop-top that is coated with an anorak jacket to bring out the little green sapphire on the necklace. Black tights along with black combat boots to keep the wearer warm, comfy and free. 

To complete this semi grudgy look, I decided to put in some of the gorgeous sapphire that's radiating off that ring, by adding on a simple navy satchel handbag to really complement that sapphire tone. I added in the earrings to staple in a little bit more femininity into the look. It's casual with the jacket and combat boots, and it's elegant with cornelli lace crop-top and of course the gorgeous Brilliant Earth jewelry. 

For those who are unaware of Brilliant Earth, they are a jewel company that provide gorgeous, fine and clean diamond engagement rings, pendants, earrings and others of the sort. (I am serious, the sapphires and diamonds took my breath away, I want one so badly. I don't care, I'll buy myself a ring). They try their best to ethically produce their diamonds and jewels without harming the jewel production industry by recycling gold and platinum and by giving 5% of their profits to communities that have been harmed by the jewel industry. Check out their website to know more and see more of their products. Brilliant Earth. 

Have a great day everyone! xox

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Tribal Duffle Bag - It's like MAGIC!

Don’t you all just love that kind of bag that looks small or medium, and despite it’s size, you are able to fit everything in there.



I got this small duffle handbag from my best friend, who is sadly all the way in the Philippines. We both thought that it would be a fun idea to do a little Christmas gift exchange across the seas. Thanks to my sister’s boyfriend who was traveling to the Philippines at the most convenient time during the month of Christmas. He sort of became our courier.  (If you’re reading this Kal, thank you again for being our mailman xD) I like how the tribal look of it brings out the hippie in me, and I’ve wanted something bohemian for quite some time now. So thank you for that universe, I appreciate it.

I’ll be honest and say that I’m not really sure what type of bag this is. It looks like a small duffle bag to me. But if I’m wrong, please feel free to correct me.



When I got this geometric somewhat tribal looking bag, with its warm earthly colors and dynamic patterns, I didn’t know that it is able to carry so much. I personally think that this type of bag is the perfect ally for when you want to dump everything you think you need for the day in what seems like a small amount of space of a bag, and go.

  

This fabulous bohemian looking bag can be styled with almost anything actually. I use it as an everyday bag, so I wear whatever I want with it and carry it around like nobody’s business. But if you're willing to make a real effort in styling it with the perfect outfit, I suggest either plain solid colors to let your bag be the eye candy or matchy-matchy with the pattern but try not to go overboard with it all. Too much pattern is just, too much.

I love this bag to bits, and I don’t say that about many bags (since I don’t own many bags, my mom probably owns more bags that I) so when I do, I mean it. With all that said, I hope you all enjoyed my little excitement over how much I can fit in a simple bag.

I can't seem to find the counterpart of this bag. 
HDY doesn't have an official website, but they have an official facebook page.
Check them out to see more of their great products.

So my dear readers let me know:

What is your favorite type of bag? How many bags do you own?


Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored in anyway by Hdy. 
I just find the need to express my excitement over this bag with a blog post
 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Book Challenges of 2013 and 2014

I'm always up for a good blog challenge. It's a good way to make new blogger friends and a great way to expand your blog, in a way.

A new year means new fun challenges to partake in! So with this new year up and running, I want to look back at the bunch of book challenges I participated in 2013. And when I say "participated" I don't necessary mean completed. xD

2013 To Be Read Pile Reading Challenge


I had 20 on my list, and I ticked off 15. I think that's a great accomplishment! I'm pleased with myself! :)

Romance Reading Challenge 2013


I've been submitting most of the romance books I read during the year, and I've ticked everything on my list except one! One of the books I was really excited on reading "My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris". I COMPLETELY forgot I had it. :/

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge


This was a really fun challenge! I was freaking out the entire 15 days because I was worried I would miss a day. So I would schedule all these posts and reread them before I finally posted them all up. 

Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
I aimed to finish 42 books, and when I did, I just kept on reading and my numbers went up I finished 49 books on 2013. Yay for that! 

I don't feel like participating in that many challenges this 2014. I want to freely read what I want and not worry about the restrictions some challenges give me. So I'm just doing one.

Challenge yourself and see how many books you can finish this 2014
I am aiming for something attainable - 40 books 
Yay for that! 

What challenges are you participating in this year?