Happy Birthday Page Twenty Three!

Hey guys! Guess what today is! It's my blog's first birthday!! Wow. One full freaking year. I can't even believe how fast time has flown by. It literally seems like yesterday that I was nervously rereading my very first post over and over again to make sure that it was completely perfect before I posted it. I remember I used to be so nervous that one of my real life friends might find my blog. That has changed a lot now though. I mean I tweet out links to my posts now.

I just... It's so incredible that I've managed to keep this little space on the Internet alive for a whole year. It's so wonderful that people read my rants, my reviews. That you guys enjoy my boring days and my exciting ones. It's mind blowing to me




When I started Page Twenty Three, I was warned that I would not be an overnight success. It is years of hard work. And that is so true. I still have a long way to go to get my blog out there and to attract readers. But It's so much fun. I just have so much fun thinking of ideas, photographing them, writing my posts and finally pressing the publish button.

I started this blog to be able to tell the world about what went through my mind. I wanted to bring a message across to my readers. And I am in the process of doing that. It is such a learning journey. I learn something new every time I post, every time someone contacts me about my blog. I learn something new everyday with this blog. And I couldn't be more grateful.

I think it is something so special to be given an opportunity to voice your opinions and thoughts in a public space. It's a lot of responsibility but it is an opportunity. There are thousands of blogs out there and anyone can make a blog. But it's a two way communication. If no one wanted to read what I had to say, I don't know if it would have been possible for me to keep this blog going. So I want to thank each and every one of you for listening to me. For giving me a voice and allowing me into your heads. I want to thank you for spending time out of your day to read what I have to say. It's such a privilege. I wish I could give all of you hugs.

Girl Online By Zoe Sugg

Penny has a secret.

Under the alias Girl Online, she blogs about school dramas, boys, her mad, whirlwind family - and the panic attacks she's suffered from lately. When things go from bad to worse, her family whisks her away to New York, where she meets the gorgeous, guitar-strumming Noah. Suddenly Penny is falling in love - and capturing every moment of it on her blog. But Noah has a secret too. One that threatens to ruin Penny's cover - and her closest friendship - forever. -Goodreads

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First of all, I would like to say that I am a HUGE Zoella fan. That said, I'm going to be as honest as I possibly can in this review. So don't click off just yet.

So this book is all about Penny. An introverted photographer with a gay best friend and a problem with anxiety. One day, she follows her parents to New York for a wedding that her parents are planning and she bumps into a boy named Noah. Noah and Penny quickly fall in love but then, there are so many things going against them and they have to manoeuvre around them. Then, Penny discovers that Noah has been keeping a pretty huge secret and things start to fall apart. 

Now I enjoyed this book. I felt like it was a real throwback in the right direction. I've missed reading books where families are perfect and when you know there will be that big happy ending even though there's lots of chaos. In a lot of ways, people will find this book to be pretentious and a bit too optimistic. But here's the thing. This book was written for a younger audience.

I think it's ridiculous that people come to this book expecting a Stephen King novel and then walking away disappointed and angry that it wasn't. I mean, when Girl Online was first announced, I knew that  I was going to read it but I also knew that I couldn't expect to be reading a book that would be anything like the books I usually read. Just look that that book cover! 

That said, I think the themes that Zoe discusses in this novel are so important and very mature. The main character in the book gets panic attacks. As a person who suffers with anxiety and who has experienced panic attacks, I think this book really spoke to me. I felt understood and I was so happy that Zoe wrote this into her book because it really brings attention to this mental health problem that usually goes unnoticed by most. Considering her fan base, just think of how many people now have something to base what they are feeling on. Just think of how many people have learnt something new and who are better for it.

I know this is a book review and I feel bad for doing this but I feel its really important to address the controversy around this book because there is just too much of it. So shortly after the release of the book, people started suspecting that the book was ghost written because the acknowledgements page mentioned a known YA writer, Siobhan Curtis. That week, the publishers also mentioned officially that Zoe had help with writing the book. But the scope of that help was not discussed. So as you can imagine, the Internet blew up and poor Zoe was forced to stop doing 'Vlogmas' and take a break off the Internet. And following that, Alfie Deyes decided to take a few days off Youtube as well though that was probably just to protect her and not exactly what he wanted considering how much he whined about being excited to get back to vlogging.

Zoe said on Twitter that she did get help but that everyone needs help when they try something new. And that is what I believe. I believe that Siobhan came alongside Zoe to help her here and there. Maybe she had more help then what is normally given to authors but that would only be because this is her first novel and she is not a professional writer. I hate that people are starting rumours and controversy about her book simply because she is a Youtuber. Everyone is bashing her over the head simply because they are annoyed that she got that book deal when there are other authors out there who have been trying for years to break into the industry. Zoe has always wanted to be a writer. She even wrote a book when she was a kid. Zoe was not stealing a spot away from anyone. She was simply testing the waters with a hobby. After all, if she hadn't tested the waters with her blog and her youtube channel, she would never be where she is today. She is 24. Are you telling me that she is no longer allowed to try new things and use the fame that she made for herself to give her a leg up in the world just because she's already established herself in the beauty industry? Haters are just ridiculous. 

I'm sorry for ending my review on an angry note but I feel very strongly about people who try to tear others down simply because they will never be as successful as them. I really would recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy and cosy read. It's really good and sweet.

I posted this photo on Instagram and Alfie Deyes liked it!

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My Rating: 5/5

September Item Favorites

Hey guys! So this month, I've decided to be braver. I'm going to do a monthy favourites for my music and a monthly favourites for actual items. I'm also thinking about doing monthly favourites for books but I'm not too sure yet because I'm not the fastest reader in the world. If you want to check out my August music favourites, click here. It will open in a new tab so don't worry. So this post is for my items. Let's do this!

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1) Typo Owl Coasters

Recently, my mom got me owl coasters from Typo. They are absolutely gorgeous and compliment my bedside table so well. I absolutely adore them. They were only $5 with any purchase from Typo which was super awesome because who doesn't love cheap stuff am I right?

2) Owl Throw Pillow

So, in line with my bedroom makeover, I decided that I needed to deck my bed out in cooler bedding. Also, I needed a new throw pillow cover to compliment my black and pink bedding. So I started hunting around on Redbubble but the sizes were all wrong for my pillow which was from IKEA originally. So my mom gave me the IKEA catalogue and I found the most gorgeous hot pink, owl throw pillow case. I immediately called IKEA to find out if they had it. They said that it had been discontinued and that they didn't have it anymore.

I was super upset about that because it was truly gorgeous. However, we still decided to go to IKEA to look for a different throw pillow cover. We got there and immediately found the hot pink, owl throw pillow cover. I was beyond happy (Really IKEA staff?? You don't have the product anymore?? REALLY??)

So I got it and it was gorgeous and complimented my bed so well. I was so happy with it. I don't remember how much it was exactly but I know that the throw pillow cover itself was about below $8 bucks. That said, I don't doubt that they have discontinued the item. I'm sure that it was just leftover stock so if you want it, better hurry.

3) Popcorn

I mentioned this a few days ago but I recently bought a box of popcorn that you can pop yourself in the microwave. I felt that I just had to mention this in my monthly favourites because I just love it so so much.

So this popcorn is about $4 for 3 big bowls and it is the Movie Theater Butter flavour. It's actually pretty hard to find. I found it in Fairprice (it's a local supermarket, my international friends). It was at the bottom shelf right in the corner so if you're looking for it, look carefully. I'm not sure if it's an international brand but the name sounds pretty American or British so you can try.

Popcorn is supposed to actually be a really healthy snack. I doubt this is very healthy because of the butter and salt in it but it's pretty awesome and certainly better then a pack of processed Doritos.

4) My TRXYE Jumper

I got my TRXYE jumper in the mail like 2 days ago. Ever since then, I've been wearing it as much as it is bearable in this hot Singapore weather. It is so comfy. I just can't even with this jumper. It is perfect especially for a Youtuber fan because the entire Youtube community came together to support Troye Sivan's album by buying one of his jumpers. So a whole lot of big-time Youtubers like Tyler Oakley, Zoella, Pointlessblog, Jim Chapman, Tanya Burr, Sprinkleofglitter and so many more are wearing this exact same jumper.

Now I know the price is actually pretty steep for a jumper but it was something I really wanted and so I saved up for it myself and it was a gift for myself for hard work done. I got it at $69 inclusive of shipping. I know. I know. I'm cringing too. But I am a huge Youtuber fan and I just really really wanted it so much so don't judge me.

5) SilkPro Hair Revival Serum

I'm cheating just a bit with this one. I've actually known and owned this particular serum for quite a few months now. But I just had to include it because it's so wonderful. So I found my first bottle in a local store. It was relatively cheap. If I'm not wrong it's only about $10 which was ridiculously cheap compared to the $30-$50 ones my hairdresser offered me.

So I got the serum and it was heaven in a freaking bottle. I'm not even exaggerating. This thing smells so good and it makes my hair so soft. I have naturally frizzy hair but this serum works wonders to tame it. It just makes my hair so soft and manageable. My hair also has really nice natural curls (it's nice now but when I was younger it was horrific) so the serum really helps to make my curls look even better. In fact, sometimes it makes my hair curlier (in a good way) and overall just compliments my look without me having to do anything else with my hair.

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*All prices are in SGD. Click here for a currency converter. (I'm so nice. I give you a converter. Am I not wonderful?)

*All photos are by me. Credits are needed if you want to use them okay? Let's be nice.