Shopaholic Series is just.... Fab!

I've seen the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic years ago and I totally love it! In fact I did watched it over and over again from then on because it is such a fun movie. Packed with crazy scenes, fab wardrobes, cute love story and of course that very important lesson we should all keep in mind.... a Denny & George Scarf might change your life.. ooops, not that one! I mean is that we should all be very responsible in handling our finances and always be honest!

I love the main cast as well :)

Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) - She is so pretty and I really like her portrayal in the film, really hilarious!

Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy) - Need I say more? He is such a hottie and his accent... OMG!

Who would not fell in love for someone like him? 



Okay. So I really loved it! But despite that, I don't know why I never read the book that time. But recently, after reading some tragic ending novels I  thought I need a break from all those heart wrenching stories and go for something light and funny this time. So I decided to read something by Sophie Kinsella. I got crazy for the first book that I just want to read the sequel and then... woosh, after a few days I finished the entire series! Crazy, really!

Shopaholic #1 -  Confessions of a Shopaholic (also The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic)

Meet Rebecca Bloomwood.

She’s a journalist. She spends her working life telling others how to manage their money.She spends her leisure time … shopping.Retail therapy is the answer to all her problems. She knows she should stop, but she can’t. She tries Cutting Back, she tries Making More Money. But neither seems to work. The stories she concocts become more and more fantastic as she tries to untangle her increasingly dire financial difficulties. Her only comfort is to buy herself something – just a little something…Can Becky ever escape from this dream world, find true love, and regain the use of her Switch card?The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic… the perfect pick me up for when it’s all hanging in the (bank) balance..  

Shopaholic # 2 - Shopaholic takes Manhattan (also Shopaholic Abroad)

For Rebecca Bloomwood, life is peachy. She has a job on morning TV, telling people how to manage their money – a subject on which she is an expert. Her bank manager is actually being nice to her, despite being just a tad overdrawn. And the icing on the brioche is that her boyfriend is moving to New York …and has asked her to go with him.New York! The Museum of Modern Art! The Guggenheim! The Metropolitan Opera House! And Becky does mean to go to all these. Honestly. It’s just that it seems silly not to check out a few other places first. Like Bloomingdales. And Saks. And that amusing little place she’s been told about where you can sometimes get a Prada dress for $10. Or was it $100? Anyway, it’s full of fantastic bargains.Shopaholic Abroad – because there just aren’t enough shops in Britain.

Shopaholic # 3 - Shopaholic Ties the Knot

Rebecca Bloomwood has the dream job. She’s a personal shopper, so is able to spend other people’s money all day instead of her own. And she gets paid for doing it. The perfect job, the perfect man - gorgeous Luke Brandon – and now … the perfect wedding.Yes, Luke has proposed and wedding bells are in sight. No excuses are needed to start the shopping trip of all time. And Becky’s parents are just assuming that the wedding will be at home – a marquee in the garden and Becky in her mum’s wedding dress, which she’s been saving specially for the occasion. But Luke’s mother has very different ideas – a huge affair in New York in a forest glade setting – or perhaps a Venetian Ball, or a fin de siecle extravagance?Now Becky’s getting confused. She doesn’t want to say ‘no’ to anyone. The plans are going ahead, and soon it will be too late to turn back – from either wedding…

Shopaholic # 4 - Shopaholic and Sister

 

Becky thought being married to Luke Brandon would be one big Tiffany box of happiness. But tobe honest, it's not quite as dreamy as she’d hoped. The trouble started on honeymoon, when she told Luke the tiniest little fib, about the teeniest little purchase. Now she's on a strict budget, she doesn't have a job - and worst of all her beloved Suze has a new best friend. Then she receives some incredible news. She has a long-lost sister!Becky has never been more excited. Finally, a real sister! They'll have so much in common! They can go shopping together... choose shoes together... have manicures together...Until she meets her – and gets the shock of her life. It can't be true. Surely Becky Bloomwood's long-lost sister can't... hate shopping?A sister. A soulmate. A skinflint?

Shopaholic # 5 - Shopaholic and Baby 

Becky's life is blooming! She's working at London's newest fashion store The Look, house-hunting with husband Luke (her secret wish is a Shoe Room)... and she's pregnant! She couldn’t be more overjoyed – especially since discovering that shopping cures morning sickness. Everything has got to be perfect for her baby: from the designer nursery…to the latest, coolest pram…to the celebrity, must-have obstetrician. 

But when the celebrity obstetrician turns out to be her husband Luke’s glamorous, intellectual ex-girlfriend, Becky’s perfect world starts to crumble. 

She’s shopping for two…but are there three in her marriage?

Shopaholic # 6 - Mini Shopaholic

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) thought motherhood would be a breeze and that having a daughter was a dream come true a shopping friend for life! But it's trickier than she thought as two-year-old Minnie has a quite different approach to shopping.

She can create havoc everywhere from Harrods to Harvey Nicks to her own christening. She hires taxis at random, her favourite word is Mine, and she's even started bidding for designer bags on eBay.

On top of everything else, there s a big financial crisis. People are having to Cut Back including all of Becky's personal shopping clients and she and Luke are still living with Becky's Mum and Dad. To cheer everyone up, Becky decides to throw a surprise birthday party on a budget but then things become really complicated.

Who will end up on the naughty step, who will get a gold star and will Becky's secret wishes come true? 

All I can say is that I really enjoyed the entire series. Though I kind of freak out over Becky's spending behavior. You know, how she justifies whatever purchase she got telling herself, it's an investment, she will wear it a lot of times, she can wear it in the future and how she can be known as the girl who wears ... blah blah blah, whatever brand she has on mind! Totally hilarious! (Maybe it really is like that if you are a shopaholic, luckily I just can't relate haha!) But despite being a shopaholic there is something more about her that makes her lovable. She thinks a lot about her family and friends, and would do whatever she can to help them out, sometimes even resulting to white lies just for the sake of her loved ones. She is that special, no wonder Luke Brandon loves her so much.

While reading the Shopaholic series, I feel like I've been to London and even to New York for a while. Being the setting of the series, I get to remember some streets there and of course, shops! I think that is one thing that is so great about books. It sort of separates you from the reality. You get to be a different person and be at a different world. It takes you to places without needing passport and plane tickets! Cool, right?

Anyway, aside from travelling to London, I get to be more familiar about those Fashion brands mentioned in the books. Becky is like a walking fashion catalogue, she always had her entire outfit enumerated per brand. And I find it really funny every time she thinks so much in advance, imagining scenarios and then planning what exactly to wear when that time comes. It's like if there is one thing that she can be very sure of, that would probably be what to wear. Really crazy, but sometimes I feel like it's interesting to be able to tell what brand that girl you just bumped into the mall is wearing. Why can't I do that? Haha! Not like I'm planning to be a shopaholic like Becky, definitely not (because I don't have enough money for that or even a credit card, and even if I did, still not a good idea.. Be practical!), it just seem interesting to me :)

So, High Five to Sophie Kinsella for creating such great series and a memorable character such as Rebecca Bloomwood! Super duper love it!
***clap clap clap ***


Hey guess what, there's another sequel! 

Sophie Kinsella just posted on her Facebook page the UK cover of the latest addition to the Shopaholic series we love. 

Target release would be by autumn.

Tadaaa!

Shopaholic # 7 - Shopaholic to the Stars

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) has stars in her eyes. She and her daughter, Minnie, have joined husband Luke in LA—city of herbal smoothies and multimillion-dollar yoga retreats and the lure of celebrity. Luke is there to help manage the career of famous actress Sage Seymour—and Becky is convinced she is destined to be Sage’s personal stylist, and go from there to every A-list celebrity in Hollywood! Red carpet here she comes!But things become complicated when Becky joins the team of Sage’s archrival without telling Luke. Will her ambition to make it in Hollywood cost too much?

This is going to be insanely amazing! Sophie Kinsella is one of my all time fave authors and I know this sequel will be as awesome as the other books in the series.

Now, I can't wait for what will happen next :)


xxx

jess :)

I did it!
The latest act of bravery I can add on my list.

For some time in my life, I felt as though I am stuck somewhere I shouldn't be. I tried giving my self more time to assess the situation and weigh things over. Maybe I am still on the adjustment period, it always happens right? At first you think you're not supposed to be there and it's not for you, but if you let yourself go on with it, eventually you will realize you were wrong for not liking it in the first place.
I think, things didn't turn that way for me though. I gave myself few more months, no, actually years! But the longer I stayed, the more I feel like I am not meant for this. This is not what I wanted to do for the next years of my life. I always feel like every hours should have been spent for something more gratifying, exciting, fulfilling and something that really makes me happy.

But things aren't simple as they seem. If I would only think of myself and whatever desires I have in my heart, I guess I would have quit right away. But no, there are a lot of underlying  factors to consider. I cannot just ignore them, that would be... selfish. So I stayed far longer than I thought I should. I got to the point that I was very comfortable with whatever I'm doing. I felt I am so great with the things I do. It turned into a safe zone for me. But then reality hit me again. The clock ticks so fast, and I grew older and older. If this is not the path that I want, then why am I still here?
And come to think of it, the factors I have been considering before have not changed at all. Still the same.
So what's the point? What should I do?

Risk.

That's it! The only way. I have to take some risk If I wanted changes in my life. I have to leave that safe zone and be brave enough to face whatever the consequences of my chosen path. I must admit, it was hard. I realized that If you're about to make some big leap of faith, make sure to take a lot of positivity with you. As you think about what's ahead of you, you will see not only the bright side. You will encounter worries and fears but you have to fight all those negative thoughts away.

And finally, I have gathered enough courage to do that one thing I'm dreading to do for years.
I said No. I left the safe zone. I finally cut the rope.
And to tell you, it was the most liberating experience I ever had.
 As John Green wrote on his book Paper Towns:

“It is so hard to leave—until you leave. And then it is the easiest goddamned thing in the world.”

So true. When I finally decided to quit my job, I started asking myself why I never did it a long time ago. It's like all those years I have been very afraid and worried that I always end up not doing it instead. The fear gotten into me that I lost my courage to stand up and fight for what I really want. But now that I did it, I can't help but felt stupid (honestly) for worrying that much before. I chose stagnation over moving forward, that's the effect of my fear. Good thing I'm over it now.

I can never say that all those years I spent was wasted time. Never. It may not be what I want, but still I'm doing something, which is totally better than nothing. I gained a lot of experience, learned lessons and met wonderful people. How can I regret all those?
I think it is all part of the process. There are times you will struggle in finding the courage within you, but in the end what matters most is that you find it somehow. It is not too late nor to early because it all happened in God's time.
He gave me all those years to gather the strength and courage so that when I am about to make a big decision in life, I will be ready and brave enough to take risks. And now that I did, I hope things will get better for me. I just have to put my best foot forward and always stay positive! 

xoxo
jess