August Favourites

Getting to the end of summer is normally a cause of sadness, but since I love Autumn and I cannot wait to get back in to jumpers I'm glad August is over! Having said all that it has been a particularly good summer and in some ways I will be sad to leave another one behind.

But enough of that - let's crack on with the faves.

Books

I have two time travel books that I have loved this month. Apparently I went searching for this genre for a while! First up is 'The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August' by Claire North. If you love history,suspense and humour then this is the book for you. Working on the idea that there are those among us who can repeat their lives over and over with butterfly effect consequences it is interesting to see the characters develop.

 The second is 'Life after Life' by Kate Atkinson. This novel has been cleverly written so even though you are going over the same life again and again there is always a slight change, making sure you don't get bored. It is also set over WWII which is my favourite period to read about anyway!

The Day We Disappeared by Lucy Robinson- I have read a lot of books over my life. Recently it is very difficult to surprise me in novels, I can see what a plot is going, which is why I am including this book in my favourites. Because although I picked it up as a bit of fluff reading two things happened when I read it. 1) I thought I had guessed the plot twist and then it hit me and I was surprised! 2) I read this book in one day. I got home from work and I read it all the way to the end, ignoring the last episode of Glee in favour of this book. That says a lot.

 

The Martian by Andy Weir - Now I read this book last year but thought it might not appeal to all so decided not to include it in my favourites, however with the release of the film I thought I should mention that you should all read the book too! It was a lot funnier than I thought it would be, you almost need to think 'Castaway' on Mars. I am super looking forward to the film but if you do get a chance to read this book, do!

Music

I have been loving summer music with several new favourites that you might like to lend an ear to.

Hungry (Nikias Ibach Remix) - Dotan just makes me want to get up and dance and sway and it makes me wish I'd gone on holiday and played this driving along a coastline.

Listen here!

Peanut Butter Jelly - Galantis is what I like to call 'a good walk to work' song. It's a little bit silly and a lotta bit catchy.

Listen here! 

Unfinished Symphony - The Six is another one of those catchy, dancey songs that I love so much. This one has been around a while but I haven't done a favourites in ages so it has been saved up!

Listen here!

We Ride - Missy Higgins. I found this song through a good old shazam on a youtube video I was watching of someone's world trip. It just provoked all sorts of emotions in me and although I normally try to avoid the slower songs because they make me sad when I only want to be happy, I don't mind with this song.

Fashion

I am quite disappointed with the fashion world right now - if there is one style I really could do without it is 70's fashion. All those browns and suede and yeah I'm not really a fan. I do however need a dress for graduation next month so I've bought the following to try (both Dorothy Perkins):

 Blush Pencil Dress - Was £38 Now £26

Lavender 50's Lace Dress - Was £75 Now £30

Home

I'm including this little beauty in here rather than in 'Books' as the books I write about tend to lean more to the fiction side. This however has taken pride of place in my house where all can see and I LOVE IT. I first found Anna Maes Mac and Cheese a couple of years ago at Glastonbury and I have been an addict ever since. Now I can actually make it their way on my own. With over 50 recipes this is one recipe book that makes me hella happy!

Beauty

I already have another one of these Bourjois lippies and I love it so much I've gone back for more. I love that it goes on like a lipgloss before settling into a matte lipstick. I find it to be quite pigmented, giving a strong colour and it wears for several hours before you need to reapply. I've gone for no 12 - Velvet this time around and I love it.

I am not a big make-up wearer. As I'm sure I've said before when I can remember my 'face' normally consists of eyeliner, mascara and some lippie. If I'm feeling really adventurous maybe some eye shadow. But I went and picked up some new bits from Boots the other day and that included a new mascara which has to be one of the best I've owned. It makes my eyelashes look so long and as it's from the 'Seventeen' brand you don't have to break the bank to buy it. Mine is in the colour Brown Black which has a slightly subtler look than just Black.

 

I hope you have all had a wonderful summer!

C x

August Favourites

August Favourites time! A few bits and pieces this month. Enjoy :)

Music 

I have a new favourite album! A little band called Postmodern Jukebox and if you haven't already listened to them I thoroughly recommend that you do! My favourites are their cover of Drunk in Love by Beyonce and Fancy by Iggy Azalea.

Let me tell you a story - I found this song called One Day (Vandagg) by Bakermat and I listened to it on repeat because it's just a really good song. Nice little sample in there. And then I found out that my best friend, Callum Gordon over at Burning Reel Productions had a hand in the video and suddenly it became even better, if that was possible.

Books

I have been reading lots as always but nothing has really grabbed me this month. I've been working my way through the Cazalet series by Elizabeth Jane Howard and although they are quite good (I do love a good WWII Fiction) I'm actually more excited to buy and watch the TV series. Hopefully I will find something truly original by next month.

Home

Let's talk about my favourite home purchase for this month. Sgt Pepper. Just look at his little face. He is so freaking happy to grind the pepper. I found this chap on Amazon here.

 

If you are an avid Pourable Sunshine reader you will have read my IKEA Haul post and know that I got lots of delicious items but I do love the grey plates very much indeed. Although this is the only one that made it home. Don't try and take crockery on the tube. It will break. You will cry. You will have to take it back to IKEA.

 

Food

Some yummy new finds this month. 

Philadelphia do a Salmon and Dill tub! Who knew?! It tastes like smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches. I also like to use it in Prawn Risotto as it adds another flavour and level of tastiness.  

I think I may have found a new favourite ice-cream kids! My mouth is watering. It literally just filled with salvia at the memory of sitting down to eat this delicious tub of happiness. It is SO good.

Fashion

I'm off to a wedding this weekend and isn't just the prettiest dress. I waited patiently for this dress to hit the sales and when it finally did I snapped it up. Or so I thought. They actually still have loads of sizes in stock a few weeks in. It's very floaty on and perhaps not so great with the changing weather but I'm trying to hold on to summer for as long as possible.

 

Dress - £28 in the sale

This New Look purse is just beautiful. It's quite large but I quite like oversized bags and purses so it's good for me. Again this is more of a spring/summer purse but we can all retain some hope that the sun might just come back again.

Purse - £12.99

Ok, let's face it. The sun isnt coming back. Must mean it's time to wrap up warm in a scarf then! I purchased this little beauty in H&M after my best friend turned up at mine rocking one. She went for the colourful one but they only had black, white and grey when I went in store. It is massive - I call it my throw or rug because there's so much wool and it's very toasty but it's barely left my side since I bought it.

Scarf - 12.99

Hope you have had a lovely August whatever you have been up to and I hope these favourites give you something to listen to/buy/eat.

C xxx