10 Things I've Learnt From Romance Novels

While I've been missing in action on this blog, and in between the times where I'm studying, I've been reading a whole bunch of romance novels. Like maybe at least 5 a week? (Re-readings included) I might be posting a 2013 list of books I found and absolutely loved, I also did learn a couple of stuff from romance novels.

However, taking into account that I'm not attached, take what I say with a pinch of salt at times. I may be incredibly biased as a hopeless romantic who does not believe love occurs in reality. Plus the fact that I may be joking at times, or most of the times.

PS. This post contains swear words and some dirty stuff. No worries. It's all PG in writing. I hope.

#1: Successful billionaires are all incredibly good-looking but somewhat fucked up

 I bet the first thing you thought about was 50 Shades, but there are so many other series' (be it inspired by 50 Shades or not) actually have their male leads of such characters. Plus they all seem to have big dicks. (you did not read this)

Considering I can't think of a single billionaire who made their own success story and is actually good-looking, I'm calling bullshit on this. I mean I totally get it. Girls like the alpha males who can provide for them (since they're billionaires), are good looking (so your kids will never get bad genes) and are incredibly charismatic (from the whole 'bad boy' vibe because they are totally fucked up). I get it, I get it. It sells especially with Christian Grey setting the precedence for ideal men.

#2: It's entirely OK to pick phones up from bins and keep them for yourself

If you're a Sophie Kinsella fan, you would have picked up which book this point came from. (pun intended)

In case you're wondering, this line is from I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella and I just had to put this in for the fun of it. Then again, who knows? Maybe you'll just fall in love with the guy who owns that very phone. This learning point could very well be the start of your ultimate love story.

#3: A lot of women like kinky sex
With 50 Shades and other series like the Stark Trilogy by J. Kenner and the After Dark series by Sadie Matthews (just to name a few), there has to be a market for kinky sex books right? Or erotica if I'm being picky about genre. I'm obviously one of the people out there who's part of that market since I read all these books, so I'm not judging anyone here. I totally get how it's hot even though you may not actually want to do some of those stuff in reality.

So... I came to the conclusion that all women probably have this urge for kinky sex but may not decide to voice out their kinkiness and instead decide to live it out in the lives of the Annas and Nikkis in these books.

Books are called girl porn for a reason, aren't they?

#4: You and your besties will fall in love with guys who are best buds

This has to be the ideal scenario right? You meet someone, and your besties fall for their best friends, and we all end up as one big happy family. I can name so many of my favorite books who go on about such scenarios.

Just to name a few, some include Friend-Zoned by Belle Aurora, The Love Game by Emma Hart, Taking Shots (Assassins #1) by Toni Aleo, Wallbanger by Alice Clayton and This Man Trilogy by Jodi Ellen Malpas. But, I would say there is one book that simply embodies this (and is my favoritest book) is Boycotts and Barflies by Victoria Michaels.

What's better than falling in love together with your besties then having girls' nights dedicated to talking about these amazing guys right? I know I'd love one.

#5: You can find amazingly hot mountain men when you travel to some small town in the mountains

This is a conspiration. Nature's hiding all the good men in places where we get little or no access to the internet and the outside world. Usually, I'd be totally against going somewhere where I can't contact anyone from the real world, but the idea of staying somewhere with a hunky mountain man at my disposal (like in The Gamble by Kristen Ashley and Trouble by Samantha Towle)? You can bring me to the mountains any day my friend.

#6: Women like dominating alpha males whom they can submit to
I'm using 'they' because I wouldn't call myself a woman at this point in time, but back to the whole alpha male thing. Because they all own empires, they're naturally dominants and the female leads tend to submit to them more often than not. I swear this is all over the place. From 50 Shades to Insufferable Proximity by Z. Stefani to Up In The Air Trilogy by R.K. Kelly.

I don't know why I read these books to be honest. Being a feminist, I get so pissed when I find strong women submitting to alpha males. It boggles my mind how someone so confident and successful in their work and personal lives be willing to submit to a guy. It just doesn't make sense. Then again, I'm highly D (dominant) on my DISC personality test, so that says something about why I get so worked up I guess.

Nonetheless, it seems that we do like the hot dominating alpha males who insist on dictating our every move (and are often right on every count. Weird.).

#7: It is NOT OK for men to hit you

This I definitely stand by. It's probably one of the few things on this list I'm serious about. I've been reading a couple of books where female leads escape the men who beat them (like the Rook & Ronin series by JA Huss and Trouble by Samantha Towle), and I stand by the view that it is definitely NOT OK for a man to find any reason to hit a woman. Alpha males can be charming as hell, but there's a difference between dominating in the bedroom and being violent. Even books explain this to you.

The one bad thing I've got from reading these books is a fear of finding a guy who would hit me should I ever decide to get together with one. Looks are deceiving (even I behave differently at home), so how will I ever know?


#8: Beware of the Stockholm Syndrome
Yes, the darling Stockholm Syndrome. It seems to happen when we least expect it. While Taken by Kelli Maine gives a sweet take to the female lead getting the stockholm syndrome and later on falling in love with a marvelous man who loves her. (Plus the fact it's not a violent book)

On the other end of the spectrum, you find books like The Dark Duet Trilogy by CJ Roberts and Consequences Trilogy by Aleatha Romig that leave me very disturbed by the presence of the stockholm syndrome. How someone can fall in love with men so violent is beyond me. The thought just leaves me with a sick aftertaste...

While the stories are definitely intriguing, I definitely hope this never happens in reality. So as a general rule to everyone out there, BEWARE. The Stockholm Syndrome is real and deadly.

#9: Some gigolos are misunderstood beings

 Price of a Kiss by Linda Kane definitely tells you this very message, and some of the things people choose to do are really not by choice.

I guess the real thing to learn here is that there is good in everybody. Damn, didn't that sound philosophical and worldly. But it's true, I guess. I try my best to be a 'glass half-full' kind of person, so I do try to see things from different points of view. You may come from a bad background and am looking to change or get out like Marcus DeLuca in the Disastrous Series by EL Montes, or really trying to change your playboy ways as Aiden did in The Proposition Series by Katie Ashley, I try to believe there is something good in people that we may not notice until we get to know them for who they are trying to become and not for who they are.

To conclude, don't judge people too much. Some of these 'gigolos' are probably misunderstood people who really did not have much choice in the matter.

#10: Sometimes you just have to believe in yourself

Being a female, I know how insecure we get at times. I guess the big thing that romance novels taught me is to believe in myself, that good things can happen to us, and that we may just find the guy of our dreams. (Though I'm still skeptical about that)

So many romance novels talk about how the female leads just lack that little bit of self confidence to believe in the many wonderful things happening around them. Take Boycotts & Barflies by Victoria Michaels, Take Me by Bella Andre or Come Away With Me by Kristen Proby for example.

But I'm really not just talking about believing in love. It's believing in yourself period. Hey, if girls like confident men, it's only fitting that we be confident of ourselves too right? And by confident, I don't mean egotistical.

Well, that sums up the 10 things I've learnt from romance novels, so drop me a comment to tell me what you think!

xoxo pamela

Movie Review: The Hunger Games - Catching Fire

I contemplated sleeping... then I decided I just HAD to blog about this movie I caught over the weekend.

Before you say anything, I did not manage to catch the movie in its opening week because of my finals, and I did not read the books, so I'm not exactly a biased source when it comes to this review considering how I am was not joining the craze back when the first movie came out.

The Hunger Games was good. Hell, it was one of the movies that brought Jennifer Lawrence into the arena of devastatingly charming and beautiful stars we can't ignore and simply adore. However, Catching Fire is really the movie that sold me on the entire Hunger Games Trilogy. The movie is THAT good.

Some notable moments that really left a big impression on me:

This outfit. I simply adore Jennifer Lawrence (or Katniss Everdeen) in this outfit. When I saw it, I was immediately in lust with it. Then the fire came on. Damn, I loved how the fire started from her chest and trailed to the ends of the dress. It was really good work with the effects, and I absolutely loved it. Plus the reason why the fire came on at the specific moment.

While everyone was falling in love with Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, I was totally digging how hot Sam Claflin looked as he played Finnick Odair in Catching Fire. Who wouldn't? Good looks, devastating bod...

I mean, tell me if you can resist such delicious hotness? I know I can't.

Another scene that really caught my attention is when this dress appeared. To save you from me and my bad behavior of giving spoilers, I'm going to let those of you who haven't seen it go figure it out yourselves. Hint: There's a reason why she's called the Girl on Fire

Amazing scenes aside, Catching Fire adds a lot more depth and meaning into the story, drawing you to the multiple dimensions of the film, providing you more insight into some characters, as well as giving you so much more room to think of the depth and meanings of the various scenes both during and after the film. (but it may just be my movie buff self who's so intrigued)

I particularly like how the movie emphasized so much on hope of the people, and how it can ultimately lead to great things, as well as the part where you see the tributes of such different personalities work together to eliminate the competition. These things just add so much more meaning to the film, and its really up to you how you decide to interpret these aspects. I know I have been thinking all weekend and I still feel as if I am only scratching the surface of it. Thank god I'm on holiday so I do have the luxury of spending my days thinking.

Seeing that I've said quite a bit, here's what I think of Catching Fire:

Never thought I'd rate a movie as high as this, but I really just did. (I just checked. I rated Oz a 5, but considering so much time has passed, I'd say this rating means more of a 'YOU NEED TO WATCH IT 10 TIMES MORE THAN OZ' kind of rating. Not that I don't love Oz, but... times change)

If you do decide to watch Catching Fire, I'd say the best part comes at the end. Which is probably why I have not been finding pictures to justify it, because you just have to see it for yourself. And for those book fans who are afraid of disappointment (that always seems to happen), my friend did say he wasn't disappointed with the film and he really liked it.

Well, for all of you who have caught this movie, do tell me what you think! I know I absolutely loved loved LOVED it, and I'm definitely sold on the Hunger Games now that I've watched Catching Fire!

xoxo pamela

Christmas Music Playlist: December 2013

Well, whadduya know... It's post number 101, and I'm finally back to stay now that I have the most hectic semester of my life out of my way!

Plus Christmas is coming. HEHE. Christmas is my favoritEST season of the year (I like it more than my birthday!) with all the decorations, the atmosphere and the peppermint mocha frappuccinos from Starbucks... (no snow here in Singapore, sadly)

Since I love Christmas, I decided it is ultimately necessary for me to craft a playlist for the rest of you Christmas lovers out there, so here are the top 10 Christmas Songs I love. (FYI, most are from pretty long ago...)

#1 All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey
This is a Christmas classic for me. I HAVE TO listen to this multiple times every year. Apart from the fact that the song itself is one of my favorites,Mariah Carey just sings it in such a way that makes me want to sing and dance along to... or it could be something that's just me.



#2 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Christina Aguilera
Another one of my all time favorite Christmas songs by one of my favorite singers on this planet. This song is smooth and sexy.... it makes me want to cuddle.... I'm really starting to think I'm having a weird phenomenon with Christmas songs.



#3 Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Michael Bublé
Who can forget Michael Bublé when it comes to Christmas music? There's an obvious reason why his Christmas album tops the charts every year during this season. Personally, I love all of Michael Bublé's Christmas songs, but I just had to pick something I loved (and isn't on this list), so here this goes. Who can resist his voice (and his looks)?



#4 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Carrie Underwood
Yes, I do know my playlist is pretty mainstream, but who doesn't love Carrie Underwood? I'm not exactly a religious person, but her clean voice, this soothing song... I'd use this to soothe my nerves any day, sing to it... or fall asleep with it. One of my absolute must listen to songs when it comes to Christmas songs.



#5 My Only Wish (This Year) by Britney Spears
Yes, Britney Spears. This song is such a fun song to dance and sing along to... Definitely a song to bring up the Christmas spirit... Plus it always makes me happy instantaneously! It's like the cure for all things bad this season with it's upbeat, catchy tune. (I think I hear my brothers judging me... psh)



#6 Santa Baby by Colbie Caillat
I love the song 'Santa Baby'! I know, I know. It's really about this materialistic woman who's asking her sugar daddy for all the expensive stuff, but it's one sexy Christmas song! Plus it's soothing, so I don't really care that much about the lyrics... as long as I'm not that materialistic bitch bimbo woman.



#7 White Christmas by Kelly Clarkson
I need to stop using 'I love', but I really can't resist it. I LOVE THIS SONG TOO! This comes from Kelly Clarkson's latest Christmas album, Wrapped in Red. Although we don't have white Christmases in Singapore, a girl can dream right? (In this case I'm really hoping to get my white Christmas in Korea this year!)



#8 I'll Be Home For Christmas by Drew Seeley
If you don't know who Drew Seeley is, he's this actor/singer who sings on Disney. Or at least he used to. I really enjoy the beats of this song (YES! I stopped using 'love), and it's definitely one of the songs that have been on replay on my playlist. It's been a song I have been listening to for years... Definitely one of my favorite Christmas songs (regardless of who's singing)!



#9 Celebrate Love by Jordan Pruitt
Another ex-Disney singer. If you don't know her, she did appear on the 3rd season of The Voice, and was on Xtina's team before she got eliminated in the Battle Rounds (that really pissed me off). It's such a peaceful, soothing song by such a sweet sounding vocalist. I absolutely love Jordan Pruitt.



#10 Merry Christmas, Kiss My Ass by All Time Low
Hahaha. I just had to put this in. It's the one 'Christmas' song I sing along to ALL THE TIME (partially cos it pisses my mom off in a totally jokingly manner)! Then I start bursting out into laughter after singing it cos this song just tickles me. (Though most of the time it's probably my mom's reaction to this song) I think this counts as a Christmas song... It has the whole Christmas-like tune to it, but it could just be my twisted imagination. If you haven't already listened to it, knock yourself out.



Enjoy the playlist!

xoxo
pamela

Twenty First.

At the start of the year, I was a firm believer that 21st birthday parties are so overrated, and yet, there I went hosting my very own when my birthday came along. (PS. that's partially why I went missing!)

At the end of it all, I kind of enjoyed it. BUT, you won't catch me hosting any parties anytime soon. I've had my fair share of pain from planning my photobooth (actually especially that) to planning a HRCC event. I was pretty much thrown into a moment in time where I had absolutely no time whatsoever to focus on school.

And I still am. So here's pretty much all I'm going to say for now. Ugh. Talk about awkward endings!

xoxo pamela

 Leather Jacket from ASOS

Muscle Tank from Forever 21

Shorts from Cotton On

Necklace from Cotton On

Black pumps from New Look

21st Birthday Sash from Spotlight

The Stories of Summer

I seriously can't believe summer's ending and I've been gone from this blog all summer!

For those who missed me, here's an overview. (That's kinda long, I gotta admit)

(Mocha @ Crowne Plaza Hotel - Made by YH)

Summer was hectic, busy, and sometimes boring. I learnt some stuff though. Some about work, some about the people around me, and mostly myself. Well, usually I wouldn't like to learn THAT much about myself, but I swear all those personality tests and horoscope shit has me reading more into how I behave and who I really am. Besides, it's always so amazing when you look and realize how much we change ever so constantly.

I'm not going to bore you with the whole peacock and influence stuff, but it's so amazing when tests manage to capture how you are.

(and I'm a peacock, so let me bask in my peacock-ness)

The bad thing about summer was work. I don't mean it in the typical 'I hate work.' mantra, but in the sense where I can't really have the freedom to decide what I want to wear to work. It's so hard to express individuality with office wear! I mean, I ended up doing it with dress-down Fridays and accessories, but still.

Of course, in summer you can never miss the movies. I mean, there was a period where I was obsessed with minions (don't say you weren't, cos you'd be lying), the days where you just spend out enjoying some good food without homework and projects nagging at you...

 And then there are the days where you spend some glorious days of summer (after internship) goofing around with friends you've known ages ago.

So, that's basically my summer in a nutshell.

Hope everyone's was just as great!

xoxo pamela

Laziness is the worst excuse.

I know I've promised to blog once I ended my papers, but my internship started and... well, laziness and tiredness became my excuses to not blogging.

Thanks to my course registration, I've managed to get a day off from work and lets just say a small break off work really did help. I rested up a little more, read a bit, and shopped online... A LOT. Yeah well, shopping will always be my weakness.

There's so much to say and yet... I don't want to bore you all with my stories of work.
Plus I really want to get a little more rest before work tomorrow.

So... take care sweethearts!

Au Revoir!
Pamela Avery

Fullerton Hotel: Town Restaurant

In Singapore, one thing that most locals love to enjoy from time to time would definitely be buffets.

My mom, being ever the indulgent, first introduced us to the Town Restaurant seafood buffet on my parents' anniversary last year. That one night left us with great impressions of Fullerton. This time, we went to the Town Restaurant seafood buffet again, and once again, Fullerton has surpassed my expectations.

With their platters of food ranging from local delicacies such as laksa and bak kut teh (pork rib soup), to japanese cuisines with tempura, soba and sushi, all the way to the glorious seafood platters of mussels, crayfish and lobster; I'm pretty sure everyone would be able to find something you enjoy there.

Since the day we went was in celebration of my brother's birthday, Fullerton actually helped my mom arrange a birthday surprise that included cakes, fancy drinks and polaroids. YES, polaroids, the big ones. In fact, they placed the polaroids in cards after to make birthday cards, documenting my brother's mini birthday celebration.

The way everybody addressed my brother by name (even the manager) and gave him birthday wishes, I was already beyond impressed with Fullerton's exceptional service. I'd definitely say this experience with Fullerton is one of my favorites and greatest, and it definitely won't be my last.

So the next time you want a birthday celebrated or a birthday surprise, you know where to go~

Fullerton Hotel - Town Restaurant
1 Fullerton Square
Singapore 049178
For Reservations, call +65-68778128
Email: dining-rsvp@fullertonhotel.com
Website: Fullerton Hotel

xoxo pamela

The Voice Season 4

I have one paper remaining for my finals and I'm done! Yay me!

There were so many times during finals week where I was itching to churn out a new post, review or look on the blog, but I really had to work on my finals. After all, I'm all for procrastination when it comes to schoolwork. BUT, I truly am sorry if any of you were upset that I wasn't posting this entire time!!

Back to the topic at hand. The Voice Season 4.

I'll be honest here. I'm an avid fan of The Voice and I never miss a single episode, so when I first heard that they were switching Cee Lo and Xtina for Shakira and Usher, I was a little upset. Until I watched the new season.

Shakira and Usher brought a new dynamic to the show and after a few episodes (or maybe after 1), I decided that I prefer the new judges to their previous counterparts. Banter gets more playful, the set is more energetic, there's less bitching around and Usher is BEYOND HOT. Come on, now I get to watch the show for TWO guys instead of one!

Ultimate Favorite Part of The Voice Season 4 (apart from Adam and Usher):
The way Usher trains his artistes. For us bedroom singers, The Voice gives us a little advice with regards to singing, but I seriously think Usher takes it to a whole new level. He teaches how to entice the audience, to convey the message of the song, to maintain enough energy for the performance...

There's just so much I can learn from how Usher coaches! There's more to him than his mad good looks (and voice) I'm telling you!

Favorite Contestants This Season (so far):
Sarah Simmons
Amber Carrington
The Swon Brothers

Alright, that's all I have for today.
More up this week.

xoxo pamela

Neon Yellow

In this Outfit:

Sunglasses from H&M

Wide Brimmed Fedora from H&M (see here)

Gothic Cross Suspender Tights from ASOS (see here)

Leather Shorts from Forever 21

Chiffon Top from Forever 21

Blazer from Forever 21

Fair warning, I can't post everyday for the time being.
But I do feel bad and ashamed that I'm disappearing from the blog, but I'm swimming in the pool of 'seriously lagging on schoolwork' and desperately struggling to stay afloat at the moment.

God, that had to be the worst metaphor. But you get the idea. I WILL try to keep up on my posts... and will definitely spend my weekends snapping and doing up posts during my internship, so... I PROMISE I'll make it up to you.

Anyway, back on track. I liked this look when I first did it up, but honestly, I'm starting to think it's not that fantabulous. (Yes, I meant fantastic + fabulous)
Anyway, this slightly gothic look really inspired me to do up other looks (that are better than this) and I'll definitely start snapping around once I have the time.

PS. I really love my sunglasses

In the meantime, stay safe.

xoxo pamela