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

October Favourites

Oh my goodness where has this year gone! We have quite a short favourites this month as not too many things grabbed my attention but there are some things I really want to talk about.

Music

Mentioned before but not with as much enthusiasm. FJK, All FJK songs that can be found. Spotify FJK and prepare to be very happy.

Another song on repeat on the walk to work has to be 'Take me to Church' by Hoizer.

Books

So you know how recently I have been really unimpressed with the books I have been reading? All of that has changed because I finally found a trilogy that I devoured in 3 days. I literally read a book a day and I couldn't put them down. I read these books in favour of TV, in favour of going out, in favour of sleeping. These books which kept me up at night are the Mazerunner series by James Dashner, at a cinema near you. I'd seen the poster for the film and thought it looked just up my street what with it being dystopian and all. The books are slightly on the young adult side but it doesn't diminish their appeal. The whole concept is original and a real page turner. People have likened it to the Hunger Games but I don't think that is fair on the story as they are entirely different concepts. There is a fourth book, the prequel, but as it has different characters I haven't read this yet as I needed a break and didn't feel I would emphasis with the new characters having submerged myself in the trilogies character. I still haven't seen the film but I'm dying to! Read these books.

Fashion

LOVE LOVE LOVE my floppy hat. I've wanted one for a while and finally got round to buying one. It's a black felt hat and I just feel that little bit cooler in it. Mine was from Dorothy Perkins (£14) but they appear to have sold out. I know Topshop, ASOS, H&M all do these hats if you are in the market for one!

I talked about the a red version in my September Favourites and now I have bought a blush and black one too (as seen above). I am quite big chested and as such it means I can never wear shirts without them gaping or having to go several sizes up. These tops have the shirt feel without the buttons and are perfect for a smarter look.

Blush and Black Pleat Roll Shirt - currently £15.00

Make-up

Now you know me, I'm not really one for make-up. Excessive make-up for me involves some eye shadow and maybe some foundation but I have found a new Bourjois lip gloss that I just adore and have been wearing non-stop. I call it a lip gloss, but it's a matte texture so after the initial application it becomes more like a lipstick. This is perfect for me as Leigh doesn't like sticky lip gloss kisses. It also stays on for quite a while, another bonus as I am really bad at remembering to reapply throughout the day. I'm wearing Velvet (No 7)(£8.99 in Boots) but they have other gorgeous colours too!

And that is it for the favourites. I'm trying not to buy anything home based as it's so close to Christmas and I can put it on my Christmas List! What have you loved this month? Anything you would recommend? Leave a comment in the box!

C x

July Favourites

Not too many favourites this month as I haven't really been here but what I have been loving you will find below!

Music

Only a couple of new songs on the favourites this month, I haven't found a new album I've loved but I'll leave you with these two:

First up - one of my songs of the Summer ~ Milky Chance with Stolen Dance

Secondly - Holdin On by Flume ~ I haven't stopped listening to this and I'm still not sick of it

Books

A very long time ago I started reading a book called 'A Discovery of Witches' and completly loved it. After a little wait Book 2 'Shadow of the Night' came out and finally 2 years later, just in time for my holiday 'The Book of Life' was avaliable. These books written by Debroah Harkness are rich with Vampires and Witches but without the real cheesy-ness of Twilight. There is also a healthy dose of history in there that appeals to my desire to read about the past. These books are brilliant in their detail and also provide you with a romance and passion. My rating: The second book is the best in the series.   

Food/Drink

I hate fizzy water, I just don't get it. However mixed with my new favourite thing ~ Elderflower cordial it's a little bit tasty, very bubbly and makes me happy. It's also a healthier alternative, if like me, you quite like the fizzy pop.

Home

The last thing I need in the house is more mugs but I saw these and they were just too sunshiney to say No to! They also go wonderfully in my Yellow Kitchen and were only a £1 each from Asda. They have sold out of the yellow ones but they do have black ones which you can find here.

Does a month go by without me loving something from Wilkinsons? The homeware section is really good and nice and cheap.

This month I picked up these cute little bowls for £4.50 - perfect for dips when my friends pop over and we demolish a whole bag of kettle chips.

Life

I want to take more time and garden. It would be nice to look out of the kitchen window and not see an overgrown mess. I also want to bring the garden indoors, and my bright idea for this is to grow Chives and Basil in little kilner jars. I just think it will look really cute, and after my last herb garden got knocked off the windowsill by the cat I am taking no chances this time and they are on a shelf. They haven't grown yet but I will keep you updates on the progress!

 Also as many of you will have realised by my many blog posts I have just been on holiday! It was a fantastic holiday, and so lovely to have a chance to relax.

Told you there weren't many ~ also there are no fashion favourites this month as I have already written about all my new clothes purchases for the month here and I'm trying to abstain from buying more! Ha!

C xxx

June Favourites

The sun is shining and it's been a very happy month. Here are some things I've been loving in June.

Music

Clean Bandit's new album - New Eyes - is a brilliant summer album filled with lots of tracks that Clean Bandit fans will know plus some new fun tunes that evoke a sense of summer spirit.My favourite tracks are Telephone Banking and Come Over.

I am also loving this track from Budapest by George Ezra

Books

I have just started reading The Wrong Knickers by Bryony Gordon and it's as funny as the reviews say. It's current and about a girl who's my age who lives in London so what's not to love! I've been buying quite a few books recently for my summer holidays and am planning on doing a Summer Holiday book review soon.

Food/Drink

I have been loving ginger this month. Ginger Beer, Ginger Cider, Ginger with rum. It is most definitely my drink of the summer.

I had to work an event this month and there was the nicest man there selling his jams and chutneys. They are all homemade and very, very good. I got these two, but I might have to get in touch and try to order some of the BBQ marinade as well. You can have a look at the other's here

Home

I've not really been home shopping this month but I did pick up some silicon cupcake cases and I am never going back. I'm not even sure how I have gone this long without owning any!

Life

I went home for the first time in 6 months this month! I should see my parents more than I do really since they are only an hour away but it was lovely to spend the day at home in the garden having a BBQ and a chat. I am loving the fact that we will also get to see them on our holiday!

Fashion

You can find a list of all my new favourite fashion bits on my Pay Day Haul post!

I also popped into Primark and picked up a few items including a whole heap of amazing summer nails!

C xxx

May Favourites

It's May Favourites time! I've been a bit busy with revising but here are some of the things that I've been loving this month... 

Music
There's a couple of singles and an album on my favourites list this month - 

Firstly Sleepless by Cazette

Secondly Goddess by Banks

And the album of the month is Flume - Deluxe remix. This is an album from 2013 but I have only just got round to giving it a proper listen and it's really good, especially some of the remixes.

Books

No new books for me this month unless you count the ones I have been reading for my course. If you fancy reading any nineteenth century literature I recommend The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. This has been by far the best book on the course. It's a story of love, marriage, betrayal and mystery told through lots of different points of view. There's plot twists and old school romance and it's just a really fun, easy to read nineteenth century novel.

Food/Drink

I have a new found love of croissants which although regrettably aren't the most healthy thing to eat but they just taste so darn good. 

Last month I discovered croissants in a can and I blogged about them here, so if you haven't already try and make some!

Home

After saying for ages that I needed cake tins I have finally got round to getting some and I was also gifted three, so now I can make as many cakes as I want and find a home for them all. 

The rose tins I found on Amazon for £5.99 and the set of three are £6.50 from Wilkinsons.

I was given some lovely ceramic mixing bowls as a present and they just look so pretty in my kitchen. I am loving open shelving at the moment and just wish I could redo my kitchen! Look at their beautiful pastel colour. I managed to hunt down their location so if you want to get these bowls you need to head on over to Sainsburys.

 Fashion

A couple of fashion pieces for you! I wish I had more money this month because there are some lovely summer pieces out at the moment that I am dying to get for my holiday but here are some I have purchased already.

Starting with this lovely swimsuit! I am just in love with floral so this is perfect!

Swimsuit - Next - £28

I love this midi skirt, as mentioned I am loving floral  and the best thing about this skirt - it has pockets!

Skirt - Dorothy Perkins - £22

Beauty

I recently went make up shopping for the first time ever with a good friend and a separate blog post will be coming about all of the things I bought but I thought I should mention my favourite item out of the whole trip which has to be my eyebrow mascara. Yes, you heard me right - eyebrow mascara. It helps keeps the eyebrows neat and darkens them slightly. It is also a hell of a lot easier than sitting there trying to fill in the brow line with a pencil or eyeshadow. This one is from Maybelline in the colour Dark Brown. Honestly this has been a revelation!

I feel like my favourites are a bit sparse this month but I will be on my 'summer holiday' and on a little break from Uni in June so I will have time to find and do more things that I'm sure I will love. Anyway I hope you enjoyed reading this post, let me know what you love this month! 

xxx

Hello Miss Mint

So some very exciting news - I have been asked to be a contributor/writer for a new website called hellomissmint.com which is coming to a computer screen near you in January 2014.

I have been asked to be the writer of a weekly travel section - which will be called 'Wanderlust' with lots of little travel tips and my reviews of countries. I will also be writing a column called 'The London Monologues' which will discuss life in the big city.

As well as the travel column you must all make sure you tune into the other ladies columns which will be covering all of the below.

It's going to be filled with lots of fun things which will enrich your lives and make you wonder how you ever lived without the sound advice of the Miss Mint team.

I am honoured to be asked to take part of this fresh project and it gives me a chance to write more which is so great because I love any excuse to have a chatter. Also don't worry I will still be posting my usual waffle on here.

Make sure that you all tune in - I will post the link when we are up and running in January. I know you are as excited as I am!

xxx

November Favourites

It is getting so close to Christmas now I can almost smell the fake pine smell on my plastic Christmas tree but before December comes November which means it's time for another favourites post.

So let's get started!

I have a few fashion favourites this month. Winter is my favourite time because it means I can hide under jumpers and there is no nicer feeling than being snuggly warm to me.

This beautiful rose covered jumper (£13) was a Primark find and is thin enough that it isn't too bulky under a coat but keeps you warm.

Next is this bold statement top. Long sleeved - I do love a long sleeve and I also love lions!

Look at it. Just look. How could I resist?! Another Primark buy at 10.

And finally the best thing I have ever bought, the pièce de résistance. Not going to lie I had a bit of a battle with myself about whether I should buy this as it was a little bit on the pricey side at £95 - although I used my student discount so it went down to £85  but still it was worth it. Because it is beautiful.

Fluffy Fluffy Fluffy. This Topshop coat is so warm, at the moment perhaps a little too warm on the tube, but I don't mind really because you couldn't tear it off me. If I could sit at work wrapped up in it then I would. The fluffy liner detaches from the parka so it can be used as a spring coat as well, and the parka is waxed treated to keep off those pesky raindrops which seem to be coming along. Plus the hood is furry and massive. It's pretty darn perfect and probably my top favourite thing this month.

Next on the list is my favourite food/drink. What with the winter creeping in I have gone back to drinking tea. Unlike the majority of the British public I *shock horror* don't really like tea that much. But with the days getting decidedly colder I need something to warm my hands. With that in mind I have found a new favourite tea which just screams Christmas.

It tastes just like it says on the box of apples and cinnamon and wonderful times.

This leads on to another favourite which smells so good I want to eat it. Obviously Yankee Candle are renowned for the delicious smells that they can't help but give out. I have asked for a large one to go on my Christmas list so I am very excited about opening that on Christmas Day. I prefer sweet smelling candles so this is perfect for me, although I'm sure not to everyone's smell. 

Which leads to my final favourite(s) of the month - Music. I've got a couple of songs which I am listening to non-stop. They have really suited my mood this month which has been slightly melancholy.

Berlin - RY X

Sail - Awolnation

And there we have it, a few things that I like this month. Next month will be my Christmas favourites! I am just a little bit excited - can you tell?

xxx

50 Facts About Me

Thought I would do a 50 facts about me blog as a way for people to get to know me. It's actually really hard to sit down and think about these. I was going to do 25 but it turns out I can actually ramble on and I could have done more than 50 in the end!

1.  I can’t whistle

2. Night time is my favourite smell

3.  I am 25 years old

4. Sunflowers are my favourite flower

5. When I am sad I listen to Disney songs. Actually I listen to Disney songs whatever my mood

6. Pancake day is my favourite day of the year. I will eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner

7. I don’t like chocolate

8. I bite my nails

9.  I really love dates, prunes and figs

10. When I was 8 I convinced all my friends that I had written the lyrics to the song ‘Eternal Flame’

11. I hate being alone. I can’t be on my own for more than a few hours before I start to feel funny

12. I am terrified of birds – this is called Ornithophobia. My friends all think it’s hilarious.

13.  I once managed to convince a friend I was Portuguese for a year

14. My favourite colour is purple

15.  I am appalling at Maths. I struggle to add 2 + 2 if put on the spot. It’s sad but true

16. I love rollercoasters

17. One of my biggest regrets in life was giving up horse-riding

18. I lived in Cardiff for 2 years and it was the best time of my life

19.  My dream job is to work in PR/Events although I wouldn’t mind being a published author

20. Warthogs are my favourite animal. It’s just the way the run, it’s too cute

21. I have a scar on my eyebrow from when I was 5 and fell onto my dolls house chimney and part of my eyebrow has never grown back

22. I am very allergic to mosquito bites and will swell up at alarming proportions if bitten

23. I’ve never been in a limo

24. I won’t dive into a swimming pool because I am terrified of snapping my neck on the bottom

25. I don’t really like tea that much and I never dunk my biscuits!

26. I sucked my thumb until I was 10

27. I have had 5 braces as a result of the above but they never sorted out my bottom teeth which are still a bit crooked

28. I have 2 younger brothers

29. I kept a diary for 11 years (2001 – 2011) and have just started it up again

30. I lived in Portugal for 8 months when I was 18

31. I have never broken a bone

32. I have kept a blog for 3 years and I love it

33. I love travelling

34. I am studying part time to get my degree in English Literature

35. I live in London which has been my dream since I was 5.

36.  When I was 8 years old I really wanted to be a catwalk model

37. I never wear jeans

38. I want to get married in a church even though I am not religious

39. I met my boyfriend at Glastonbury

40. I have gone to the toilet in the same cubicle as Charlotte Church

41. I love sour sweets. I am constantly on the look out for the sourest sweet out there

42. I dropped out of college to move to Portugal and I don’t regret it at all

43.  I have really good reflexes

44. I wear hardly any make-up even when I going ‘ out out’. I only wear eyeliner,  occasionally mascara and lipstick.

45. I am going grey already. I pull a new grey hair out every week

46. I can’t stand marmite but my boyfriend loves it and I won’t let him kiss me if he’s eaten it

47.  I can’t drive

48. The smell of coffee makes me feel really ill

49. I hate spicy food. I just don’t get it. Why would you ruin a meal by making it so hot it burns your mouth?!

50. I love to sing. Especially at my boyfriend. Really loudly. 

There we have it, feel like you know me better?

xxx

October Favourites

So I thought it might be time to do my first favourites blog!

First up on the list is my favourite song of the month:

I have always loved Basement Jaxx. There music is happy and upbeat and never fails to put a smile on my face.I was meant to go and see them at a concert last year but instead I decided that climbing over a park fence and seriously twisting my ankle was a better idea and therefore I was in too much pain to go. Some day I hope to be able to see them. I also love this video - look at them dance!

Next on the favourite list is a beauty favourite. I went to a spa at the beginning of the week and they had the below in the bathrooms there and it smelt so gorgeous that I had to go and buy some in shower gel form:

 

It smells so sweet and it might be too sweet for some but it's like a yummy dessert and I almost wish I could eat it. I might have to go and stock up on hundreds of bottles so I never run out. I am also loving the Fair Trade Shea Butter and Honey Original Source body wash.

My fashion favourite has to be my boots with the fur. I have mentioned these in my autumn/winter haul blog and they are just as good as I thought they would be. They are fur lined and comfy, sturdy, so far waterproof and I haven't managed to put a hole in them yet which is something I always seem to do!

My favourite food of the month is definitely something tasty. Asda's chosen by you ricotta and red pepper pesto is so lush. I haven't been using it on pasta though, instead I have been spreading it on wraps and making salad, tomato, feta, ham and ricotta and red pepper wraps which are so good I always want a second. I couldn't think of having anything else with my lunch now.

My favourite life event of the month is that I have started my Open University course. I am really looking forward to this one and reading all of the books that come with it. I have just started to read Northanger Abbey which for my sins I have never read! I also need to read Jane Eyre this month and decide which book to choose in my first essay.  This OU course will be the 5th and penultimate year and I would recommend it to anyone, even if you are just doing one course. 

And finally my favourite website of the month - I have FINALLY got round to registering for Pottermore and I couldn't have been more excited about setting it all up, buying my pet - I got a ginger cat and getting my wand which has a dragon's core. Even thought I consider to be slightly grown up it didn't even matter as I answered the questions the sorting hat put to me with extreme anticipation and a few squeals of delight. Then I got told this...

I'm not too sure how I feel about it to be honest. There's never been a nice Slytherin! And I like to think that I'm nice. Anyway the level of detail is just brilliant and I'm spending far too many hours devoted to this site. It's such a clever idea though and so addictive - all of my friends are getting sorted!

And that is my list of the best things from October! I hope they inspire some purchases/thoughts

xxx

Decorative Nails

So I'm not one to write beauty posts however I can't help but mention what I have found!

I might not have the time to do my make-up every day or lotion all the time but the one thing I do care about is having nice nails. Unfortunately I bite my nails and no matter how hard I try I just can't stop, so instead I have perfected the art of sticking on my own.

Imagine my delight then when I found some brilliant artificial nails in Primark. They were only £1 so I thought "Why not!"

They turned out to be one of the best things I have ever bought. I have had so many compliments on them, from friends, family and complete strangers! I don't know if I should spread the word in case they all run out.....

Look how completely and utterly gorgeous they are!

So I did what any sane person would do and I went and bought 4 packs before they ran out. And I may have bought some other kinds as well, but at £1 a pack you can't really blame me.

Who doesn't want tiny mustaches on their fingers?!

 Just a little bit amazing, even if they do make your eyes go funny.

There are no words to describe the above nails. I almost don't want to wear them because they are so bloody perfect.

You get 24 nails in a pack which does 1 set happily and perhaps another at a push, I didn't try the glue that came with them as I have my own special nail glue so I can't say how well it lasts but I've had the nails on for a week now and they haven't cracked and are sturdy. Also something that is very important to me as I work in an office and do lots of typing is that they are the right length to still be able to type quickly. These weren't the only types either - they had about 20 different nails, from a music note print to solid gold.

These nails are my new favourite thing and I sincerely hope that they stick around (if you will excuse the pun).


xxx