Candice Carty-Williams's Queenie

Candice Carty-Williams's Queenie

"Queenie Jenkins can't cut a break. Well, apart from the one from her long term boyfriend, Tom. That's definitely just a break though. Definitely not a break up. Then there's her boss who doesn't seem to see her and her Caribbean family who don't seem to listen (if it's not Jesus or water rates, they're not interested). She's trying to fit in two worlds that don't really understand her. It's no wonder she's struggling.

She was named to be queen of everything. So why is she finding it so hard to rule her own life?"

How often do you read a book you can't wait to pick up again? Even books I'm enjoying I don't always want to stay up late reading but with Queenie I consistently read a couple of chapters everyday until it was finished. I found Queenie such a compelling, likeable and relatable character.

Even if her world is falling apart and Queenie is struggling on there are funny and poignant moments. All the way through you are rooting for Queenie to find the strength to put it back together again. 

I've heard this book described as the black Bridget Jones and while I might not agree (I'm not the biggest fan of Bridget Jones) I think this was an incredibly powerful tool used by Candice Carty-Williams. She has written the book for an audience who enjoy chic-lit but who are unlikely to have read a book with a main character who is black. 

It look me into a culture I didn't know much about which is unusual for the books I normally pick up. It make it accessible for a young white woman that 'black fiction' might not always feel like. 

Before I read the book I heard Candice Carty-Williams on 'The High Low' podcast and afterwards I wanted to hear even more so I downloaded the episode of 'Feminists Don't Wear Pink' she was part of too. I'm definitely a new fan and I'll read whatever she writes next!

Books I Have Read This Year 2019

Summer Yellow and Leopard Print

Jumpsuit: New Look | Sandals: New Look (similar) | Necklace: Accessorise | Earrings: Oliver Bonas 

 Today I’ve got another charity shop purchase to share with you – this beauty only cost me £3 and I remember trying it on in New Look only a few months before. I bought it in October last year, luckily, I managed to wear it in Florida in November, but since then it’s been stuck in a box with my summer clothes.

Finding bargains in the charity shop is one of my favourite things – it seems like the change of season leads to even better bargains which is an alright compromise if I have new clothes the following year. Yellow is the ultimate summer colour, even my raincoat is yellow to brighten up grey days.

I still think this jumpsuit looks quite dressed up, perfect for a nice meal or even a wedding, but here I’ve tried to dress it down a little with my leopard print sandals. Also from New Look several years ago but I will continue to wear them until the are totally worn out.

See my last outfit post: Summer Leopard Print Midi Skirt

5 Things That Made Me Happy This Week #11

It finally feels like summer, I've got round to removed all my autumn/winter clothes from my wardrobe at long last and things have been going pretty well recently. So today I thought I'd share another 5 things that have made me happy this week (or over the past few weeks as the chase might be).

1. My New Leopard Print Midi Skirt

I love my new skirt so much it's already got a blog post all of it's own but I thought it deserved a mention in this post too. It's one of those pieces that just makes me so happy to wear - I keep thinking about when I can wear it next and how I can style it differently.

2. Sitting in the Garden with my Dogs

My mum and dad were away for the night last weekend and asked me to check in on the dogs a few times. The weather was so nice on Saturday morning that Scott and I took our breakfast down in the morning and eat it outside while throwing the ball for the dogs. I really miss having dogs around when I'm outside are outside in the summer...

3. Eggs from the Egg Box

A farm that is fairly local to us has this egg vending machine that sits in a container at the edge of a field. I've known about it for ages but only recently made time to go and buy some eggs. That are really reasonably priced and the most delicious eggs - buying local is becoming increasingly important and it's great when you get to support a local business. At the moment they are selling their strawberries too which are equally delicious.

4. Lunch at Malmaison

Thanks to a voucher from 'It Is On' we got to try the summer menu at Malmaison a few weekends ago. I wrote a full review but the food was delicious and the atmosphere in the restaurant made it a lovely day out. Always nice to spend quality time with my boyfriends parents doing something different too.

5. Going for a Walk After Work

So I walk home from work everyday so I don't normally go for another walk later on but with the weather being so good thing week Scott and I have been heading out when he gets home. It's lovely to walk round by the beach when the sun is shining before coming home to make tea and eat in the garden. I feel like I go to bed much happier when I've spent my night well.

Have a lovely week everyone and let me know one thing that has made you happy this week in the comments!