April Favourites + Highlights 2020

Let me start by asking how everyone’s quarantine/lockdown/isolaton life is going? Whilst each country has different measures and restrictions in place we are all in this together. As mentioned in my March Favourites, I’m here if anyone would like a chat!

Over the past month I have adapted well to working from home, I am pretty much able to do my job as usual which keeps me in a good routine. Like so many other people I am using Zoom to connect with work colleagues and I’m really enjoying doing my makeup on the days there’s video calls and making myself that little bit more glam. I am also proud to say I haven’t worked in my pyjamas once (no shame if you do) and have gotten dressed each work day. This month has been relatively quiet but I have enjoyed the calm peacefulness. I am eating less than I would if I was going to work and I’m back into an exercise routine. I feel like I’ve been singing better as a result too and I’m not as stressed which is huge!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia – I have been a fan of Dua for a while now and ever since she released Don’t Start Now as the first single from this album I was excited! The vibe, the beats and the lyrics really stood out to me and it’s probably my favourite track Dua has released to date. Dua puts so much personality into her music and I love the deep, raspy element to her voice. The songs on this album are personal but still radio friendly and whilst she’s undoubtedly pop she adds in her own unique touches. This album is very cohesive and by the time it’s over you want to go right back to the start and press play again. Standout Tracks: Don’t Start Now, Physical, Levitating, Hallucinate and Break My Heart.

2. MAC Viva Glam III Lipstick – I purchased this alongside another MAC lipstick in March and over the past month I have already worn it a handful of times. I saw pictures of this shade online and was unsure whether it would suit me and be too dark but I really don’t have anything like this in my collection. Viva Glam III is described as a muted brownish-plum and is a matte finish. This lipstick has a very comfortable matte finish that doesn’t dry out the lips and despite the dark shade I don’t need to wear a lip liner with this. I wore Viva Glam III when I tried false lashes for the first time – CLICK HERE to see.

3. The Guest List by Lucy Foley – I have been smashing my Goodreads target during lockdown and I finished this particular book last week. It is one of my favourite reads of 2020 so far and the second book I’ve read by Lucy Foley in a matter of weeks. Set on a remote island off the Irish coast, guests are invited to the glamorous wedding between Will and Jules. Lives unravel whilst on the island and secrets from the past are revealed. Everything comes to a head when someone is murdered on the night of the wedding. I won’t spoil who is murdered as we don’t find out until the last quarter of the book but it was obvious to me who the victim would be and I was right. The reveal of the murderer wasn’t as easy to guess but it definitely makes sense. If you’re an Agatha Christie fan or enjoy reading books with plenty of twists you will enjoy this!

4. Glassons Cropped Stretch Skinny Jean – I picked up these jeans in a mid blue wash at the beginning of March when I was out shopping with a friend. This is the fourth pair of these jeans I have bought as the cropped length is the perfect full length on me. I also have these jeans in white, black and a light blue wash. The jeans are comfortable, have a slight stretch to them so they are the good kind of tight and won’t lose their shape but still allow you to move. These are probably my favourite pair as they are that classic blue denim and don’t attract cat hairs like my black pair.

April Highlights

• I have completed a few jigsaw puzzles this month.
• I treated myself to a couple of luxury lockdown purchases: YSL Black Opium perfume and Hourglass Veil Mineral face primer. I have sampled both of these in the past and loved them!
• My Future Nostalgia CD arrived in the post.

April’s Spotify Playlist

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How was your month? Share one of your highlights in the comments!

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Collective Haul: Beauty + Entertainment

I still seem to go through phases where I buy nothing at all or place a couple of online orders around the same time. Does anyone else get excited for packages in the mail or is it just me?! I am really excited about the items (a little nervous for one but more on that later) and now that everything has arrived I can talk about them.

1. Max Factor Creme Puff Blushes in 10 Nude Mauve and 20 Lavish Mauve

I saw one of these blushes on sale in a shop for half price and although I’ve heard lots of good things about them I’d never swatched them for myself. The shade on sale wasn’t quite up my street but there were a couple of other shades that were. Before I commit to buying most makeup products I will research them and watch YouTube videos. Nude Mauve is a gorgeous brown-mauve and Lavish Mauve has more prominent pink-mauve tones. Both shades are suitable for my fair skin and apply beautifully on the cheeks. The formula is soft and buildable and the packaging is compact and feels sturdy.

Blush swatches:

Left to right: Nude Mauve and Lavish Mauve

2. xoBeauty “The Innocent” and “The Heiress” False Lashes

This is the purchase I was nervous about! I have never worn false eyelashes in my life and I feel like I will either be terrible at trying to apply them or I will get better with practice. xoBeauty is a brand I have purchased numerous products from and Shannon’s lash line gets a lot of love. I opted for natural looking styles that aren’t too long as I wear glasses. The Innocent are a short criss cross pattern that will add a nice amount of volume. The Heiress lashes aim to give a fluttery, curled effect and are slightly more dramatic. I haven’t tried the lashes yet but I will experiment on one of my days off.

3. Duo False Eyelash Glue (Clear, latex-free)

You can’t apply lashes without glue! On the xoBeauty site there are a few different glue options but I went for this one as it dries clear and is more suitable for sensitive eyes. My eyes aren’t overly sensitive but I liked the sound of this glue the best. The brush on applicator sounds really useful as well.

4. Lash Applicator Tweezer

xoBeauty have special tweezers which Shannon always uses to apply eyelashes and I’ve watched her use these in numerous YouTube videos – she makes it look so easy! The tweezers are nicely weighted, matte black and have a non-slip grip. The shape of the prongs is designed to aid with application and help fuse the false lashes with your natural lashes.

5. Louise – Heavy Love CD

Louise is a British singer-songwriter who found fame as one quarter of 90s R&B/pop group Eternal. Louise left the group in 1995 to pursue a solo career and released her fourth studio album in January 2020. It was a mission to get this CD, I pre-ordered a signed copy from Amazon.co.uk in August 2019 and during the week or two following release I didn’t get any update on my order. Amazon estimated the CD would arrive by February 3 (which it didn’t) and the next day I got an update saying there is an unexpected delay and delivery will now be between mid February and the end of March. I really wanted a signed CD and thought I’ll cancel my Amazon order and get one from Louise’s official store instead, it was more expensive but it was still signed. When I went to order from Louise’s store the signed CDs were sold out but luckily I found a company called Banquet Records who listed signed copies on their website. I tweeted to ask about stock and there were still signed CDs available. I cancelled my Amazon order, placed an order with Banquet Records and the order was dispatched within a few days.

6. Frankie Bridge – Open

In my life a lot of things seem to come back to music and this book is an example of that. Frankie is a singer I have looked up to for half of my life and my admiration for her multiplied when she revealed a struggle with anxiety and depression in 2011/2012. I am quite an anxious person and whilst I have never been diagnosed with a mental illness or been on medication some of the things Frankie says in interviews and this book resonate with me. In a way it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in some of my thoughts. I finished this book within 24 hours and it was great to learn more about Frankie. The book is written in such a kind way, it doesn’t come across as needy (not that I thought it would) and my only con is that it’s not longer.

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What was the last thing you treated yourself to?

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January Favourites + Highlights 2020

I personally feel January gets a bad wrap, people exaggerate about it “being the longest month ever” which I don’t think is true. January for me is a chance to reset and start fresh for the year and it always feels quite calm after the busy festive season. January is also my birthday month and I feel like people who complain about disliking it are making an unintentional dig at those who celebrate their birthday in January. I find it hard to believe we are one month through 2020 already, I swear every year gets faster!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Nutella – I’ve never been a huge Nutella fan but I saw a teeny tiny jar at the supermarket and purchased it purely for the size. I enjoyed having toast with Nutella to use up the contents of the jar and purchased a bigger size after it was finished. Toast with Nutella is nice to alternate between the yoghurt or fruit I usually have. Nutella hasn’t become a cupboard staple but it’s a nice treat!

2. YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick – Le Rouge 01 – This lipstick is one of the four minis that came in a YSL set I purchased from Mecca towards the end of last year. Le Rouge 01 is a classic red and it has such a lovely comfortable satin finish. The colour lasts all day and doesn’t slip or bleed. I also think the mini sized bullet makes it easier to control and apply, no lip liner is required.

3. And So It Begins by Rachel Abbott – My second read of 2020! Over the past year or so I have been reading more psychological thrillers and this one was extremely gripping and kept me guessing right until the end. The twists and turns weren’t predictable and the book overall was super easy to read, the story was told well and the ending felt complete. I am looking forward to reading the follow up novel coming in April.

Mark and Evie had a whirlwind romance. Evie brought Mark back to life after the sudden death of his first wife. Cleo, Mark’s sister, knows she should be happy for him. But Cleo doesn’t trust Evie…

When Evie starts having accidents at home, her friends grow concerned. Could Mark be causing her injuries? Called out to their cliff-top house one night, Sergeant Stephanie King finds two bodies entangled on blood-drenched sheets.

4. House Rules – House Rules is an Australian home renovation show that I have watched for years and a new season started airing in New Zealand this month. Six teams travel around Australia renovating each other’s houses and gardens to ultimately try and win money to pay off their mortgage. Teams get scored on their work by a panel of judges and eliminated one by one until a team are crowned the winners. This is a good show for sitting down in front of with my book, I can see what’s happening but I don’t have to be glued to the screen in case I miss something.

5. Deep Water – Deep Water has been called the British version of Big Little Lies which is another series I really enjoyed. Deep Water is described as a modern day look at family through the eyes of three women as they try to balance work and life pressures. Each woman has secrets that surface and their lives intertwine with each other.

January Highlights

• After watching a documentary about Michael Hutchence in December I have been listening to INXS music a fair bit. The instrumentation and vocals are sensational!
• It was my birthday on January 24th and also my last day at work for a couple of weeks. I went out to dinner with some friends and had a lovely day.

January’s Spotify Playlist:

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How was your month? Share one of your highlights in the comments!

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October Favourites + Highlights

I got sick in the second half of October which I put down to the changeable weather, one day it’s warm sunshine and the next it’s cold and windy. I have spent the past week or so taking it easy and recovering. My asthma flared up too and it’s important not to do too much too soon or else you’ll set yourself back. I was able to work towards catching up on my Goodreads target and watch a handful of episodes of Poirot which are great sick day remedies. I’ve been a tad quiet on the Instagram front as well. I went through the accounts I follow and cleared out the ones I don’t interact with or accounts that are inactive.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Colourpop Super Shock Shadow – Dare – This shade is the kind of purple I expected to be in It’s My Pleasure but after using the palette and realising I was missing a super sparkly cool toned purple I knew this would fill the gap. I have worn Dare in conjunction with a few shades from It’s My Pleasure and the palette really enhances the shade. Each time I have worn Dare I have gotten compliments and I see it becoming one of my most worn Super Shock Shadows!

2. Colourpop Strawberry Shake Palette – I won’t ramble too much about this palette as I only shared a review last week *CLICK HERE* but in short I love it! The colour story (I dislike that term and this is probably the only time I’ll use it) is girly and fun but also wearable. This palette is versatile and it will also work as a complimentary palette with others in my collection. The orange-peach tones will work with Sol and the vibrant pink shades will work with the pinks in It’s My Pleasure. If you don’t have a lot of pink eyeshadows or you are looking to add some to your collection that aren’t as bright as those from Ooh La La, check out Strawberry Shake.

3. Freedom at Topshop Aquarius Necklace – I purchased a couple of bits on The Iconic last month and this necklace was one of them. The pendant features stones in the shape of the Aquarius constellation set against a lightweight gold-toned stainless steel chain. The chain can be worn at three different lengths depending on how far down you like a necklace to sit. I love the simplicity and how the necklace also feels semi-personalised with my starsign. The necklace cost around $20 (NZD) and it is well made, it doesn’t feel cheap. A good basic necklace that goes with everything.

4.Postscript by Cecelia Ahern – Cecelia Ahern is one of my favourite authors and when I heard she was a releasing a sequel to PS I Love You I was very excited! PS I Love You is a book that has stayed with me since I read it years ago and the sequel is just as moving and will also stay with me. I read Postscript in two days it was that good. Cecelia Ahern has a writing style that feels warm and friendly and will play on your emotions which is what a good writer should be able to do. My favourite novel of 2019!

Blurb from Goodreads below:

It’s been seven years since Holly Kennedy’s husband died – six since she read his final letter, urging Holly to find the courage to forge a new life.

She’s proud of all the ways in which she has grown and evolved. But when a group inspired by Gerry’s letters, calling themselves the PS, I Love You Club, approaches Holly asking for help, she finds herself drawn back into a world that she worked so hard to leave behind.

Reluctantly, Holly begins a relationship with the club, even as their friendship threatens to destroy the peace she believes she has achieved. As each of these people calls upon Holly to help them leave something meaningful behind for their loved ones, Holly will embark on a remarkable journey – one that will challenge her to ask whether embracing the future means betraying the past, and what it means to love someone forever…

October Highlights

• Continuing to have fun experimenting with Colourpop products.
• Finished five books in total this month.
• Tried a new luxury/high end foundation, review to follow in the coming weeks.

October’s Spotify Playlist:

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How was your month? Share one of your highlights in the comments!

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February Favourites + Highlights

February has been a bit of a whirlwind, there’s been a few different things happening and a few different emotions to contend with. I haven’t read as much as I would have liked, I picked up a couple of books that I couldn’t get into and it slowed down the good progress I was making towards my yearly goal on Goodreads. I should be able to catch back up again though. I have started exercising on the exercycle again and my current goal is to ride 10km three times a week.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Melanie Brown – Brutally Honest – I was a little a young to remember the Spice Girls in their hey day but I started listening to them in 2007 when they reunited. I have always liked Mel B’s deep Leeds accent and fierce personality. I’d read her first book Catch a Fire a number of years ago and over the past few years I have heard stories about her second husband and their marriage in the media. Until I read this book I didn’t know the full extent of what went on and the amount of adoration I have for what she put up with went up tenfold. The title is clever, not only is Melanie blunt and honest but it also reflects how much she had to endure to come out the other side. This was a gripping read and there was a lot going on that people didn’t realise.

(The book doesn’t appear in the main image as I borrowed it from work).

2. Tanya Burr Selfie Lash Mascara – This mascara was sent to me by Dannii and I really like it! I’m not usually a fan of rubber wands and prefer natural bristles but this one isn’t flimsy and the bristles really get into all the lashes. One coat of this is perfect for an everyday look but two coats is what I like to go for. This mascara reapplies nicely as well and doesn’t make existing coats that have been applied earlier in the day look clumpy. The formula is not smudgy and wet which I like and it’ll be interesting to see if the formula stays like this or if it changes. The shiny gold packing is pretty too.

3. MAC Viva Glam II – Some days you can’t beat a beautiful nude lipstick. Viva Glam II has a satin finish and is described as a pinky mauve colour which is accurate. Pink nudes suit me better than brown and this particular shade is like a cross between a few other MAC shades in my collection; it’s like Blankety, Hug Me and Brave rolled into one. If you like any of those I’m sure you’ll like this! As this is part of the Viva Glam range, money from these lipsticks goes to the Aids Fund. Viva Glam shades also have a distinguishable red band around the middle of the casing so you can tell them apart.

4. Victoria’s Secret Vanilla Lace Body Lotion – Body lotion is one of my favourite products to apply on a daily basis. I usually buy lotions from The Body Shop as I find their scents last all day and don’t irritate my skin. I do however prefer body lotions that come in a squeeze tube like this or in a bottle with a flip top lid. I have used lotions from The Body Shop in the past that have a pump but some of the product tends to get wasted. I hadn’t tried Victoria’s Secret body lotion before, this scent is a mix of vanilla and musk and it smells really lovely on my skin. It is similar to the Vanilla Chai scent The Body Shop released a few years ago which I also loved. I would like to try more lotions from Victoria’s Secret in future so if you have any suggestions, let me know!

February Highlights

• I purchased a baker boy cap. I tried one on in a shop as a joke but I really like how it looked. Can’t wait to wear it properly!
• My signed copy of Claire Richard’s album ‘My Wildest Dreams’ arrived.
• On Valentine’s Day I picked up a parcel Nadine sent me. Everything is so sweet!
• One of the girls I work with brought me back a gift from her travels.
• I had a really lovely dinner date during the last weekend in February.

 

February’s Spotify Playlist:

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How was your month? Share something you have been loving or one of your highlights in the comments!

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Day (or Two) In the Life

Last week on Instagram stories I asked what posts followers would like to see on the blog and I got this suggestion from Dannii (A Beautiful Thing). I have written similar posts before – What I Do In a Day – but this time I decided to share what I got up to during my days off from work and actually share two days rather than one. Nothing overly exciting happened, I am mostly a homebody but it is an accurate representation of how I spend some of my time.

Friday 17/08/18:

7:02 am: Wake up and first scroll through social media.

7:47 am: Feed Halo and take daily medication.

8:00 am: Back to bed.

10:00 am: Get up, brush teeth and moisturise face.

10:23 am: Breakfast; Toffee Nut Latte (in my favourite cat cup) and a banana.

10:30 am: Second scroll through social media, catching up on Instagram stories this time.

11:06 am: Empty dishwasher.

11:30 am: Get dressed. OOTD is a cream jumper and black leggings.

11:38 am: Trying to figure out whether Deja Vu by xoBeauty is too beige for my skin tone. (I decided to keep the lipstick).

1:15 pm: Driving practice. Got very anxious and upset on today’s drive.

3:16 pm: Watch YouTube videos and prep blog posts.

4:58 pm: Listened to Sweetener by Ariana Grande on Spotify.

7:10 pm: Dinner; pork chop, vegetables and gravy.

7:30 pm: Watch The Chase.

8:43 pm: Laptop time. Spent a while browsing the Feel Unique website and watched a few more YouTube videos.

11:20 pm: Daily bullet journal entry and added some things in my Filofax for this week.

11:42 pm: Read then sleep.

Saturday 18/08/18:

7:44 am: Feed Halo and take morning medications.

7:55 am: Back to sleep.

9:30 am: Alarm goes off and scroll through social media.

10:12 am: Get up and brush teeth.

10:17 am: Texted a friend about meeting up for hot chocolate.

10:21 am: Breakfast; yoghurt.

10:53 am: Post image to Instagram.

11:50 am: Read blog posts on WordPress reader.

1:09 pm: Vacuum.

2:55 pm: Garlic bread for lunch.

3:20 pm: Cut mum’s fringe.

3:39 pm: Shower.

4:33 pm: Read on the couch.

7:00 pm: Watch The Chase and Silent Witness.

9:05 pm: Watch YouTube videos and browse the internet. I looked at the Target Australia website and another website for handbags.

10:40 pm: Final scroll through Instagram for the day and read.

11:38 pm: Lights out, time for sleep.

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How do you like to spend your days off? Do you plan things or catch up on chores or a mixture of both?

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Twenty Three

Last Wednesday, January 24th 2018 I turned 23. In 2017 I read an article stating that 23 is supposed to be one of the happiest years of your life. I hope this is true and the next 365 days bring lots of excitement and happy memories for me.

If I’m being honest I wasn’t overly excited for this birthday. It was the first one without Tango (who recently had to be put down) and I’m still finding it hard without her. Despite not being able to celebrate with Tango and cuddle her I knew she would still be with me throughout the day.

I didn’t make any special plans. Both my boyfriend and I were working and I didn’t get to see him until Thursday night because he works evenings. I did decide I wanted to have some treats and after I finished work on Wednesday I bought a six pack of donuts from Dunkin’ Donuts and mum and I had fish and chips for dinner.

On the Friday, (January 26th) my boyfriend and I went to the cinema to see The Post and afterwards we got Dominos. The pizza and garlic bread was SO GOOD!

It’s a tradition on Chanelle Hayley to share a post about my birthday with plenty of pictures so here it is!

Cake:

I had a sponge cake. The unfilled sponge, cream and strawberry jam were bought on Tuesday and my mum made the cake on Tuesday night. I had cake for breakfast on Wednesday.

Donuts:

I don’t often have donuts and wanted to treat myself. Flavours left to right, top to bottom: Vanilla Frosted, Bavarian Kreme – my favourite – (x2), Strawberry Frosted, French Cruller and Cinnamon.

Birthday Makeup:

Products Used:

1. MAC Studio Moisture Cream
2. Rimmel Professional Brown Pencil in 002 Hazel
3. Max Factor CC Cream in ’40 Fair’
4. MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW10
5. The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 01 Light Matte
6. MAC Tan Pigment
7. Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara
8. Becca Opal Shimmering Skin Perfector
9. MAC Show Orchid

Cards:

Presents:

I filmed a video to show you the presents I received. You even get to see my face this time!

Thank you to everyone who wished me Happy Birthday!

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When is your birthday? Leave a comment below.

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Christmas 2017

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the rest of the holiday season!

As well as showing you ‘What I Got For Christmas’ I wanted to share how I celebrated Christmas day and include some lots of festive pictures. Enjoy!

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Every year I’m adamant I’m not going to decorate the tree but every year I end up doing it. This year I was more selective with decorating and stuck to a colour scheme: pink, purple and silver.

The tree:

Some of my favourite decorations:

Decorations around the house:

My mum has a miniature pink Christmas tree which is my favourite. I bought it for her in a Boxing Day sale a couple of years back.

Presents:

The presents looked so lovely under the tree and were placed there throughout December.

The festivities:

My family and I had our big meal a day early on Christmas Eve. I suggested this to my mum as she does the cooking and it meant we could relax more on the day itself. She wouldn’t have to spend the morning cooking. For Christmas dinner we had ham, rolled turkey, vegetables and gravy. I didn’t take a picture of this part of the meal but I did capture shots of dessert: trifle and Pavlova, a Kiwi classic! (Pavlova is a meringue based dessert usually covered in whipped cream and strawberries).

Trifle.

Pavlova. I placed the strawberries on top.

On Christmas Day we had leftovers for lunch before heading up to visit my aunt. I spent Christmas morning opening presents and getting ready; I curled my hair and did my makeup. *CLICK HERE* to see how I achieved this makeup look.

Christmas Day selfie.

In the evening I got dropped at my boyfriend’s house and got to open more presents and gift some too.

Presents for my boyfriend and his family:

What I Got For Christmas

Mum:

I needed casual, comfy shoes and both of these pairs fit the bill.

The backdrop for all present photos is a throw which was a gift from my mum too. It’s dark grey with sparkly bits.

My mum also got me some Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Cream chocolate bars (these were my favourite as a kid), an Argan Oil hair mask, a London sign and some copper string lights. I plan to put the lights around my bedhead/they might come in handy for blog photos.

Brother:

I fell in love with the Morphe 25A Copper Spice palette after Rachael snagged it and it instantly went on my Christmas list! This Paris jigsaw is similar to the London one mentioned in my Christmas Wishlist. I bought the London one myself so I have both!

Boyfriend/Boyfriend’s Parents:

This giraffe teddy also featured on my Christmas wishlist! I am so glad I got him and all that’s left now is to think of a name. Feel free to leave suggestions in the comments!

My boyfriend also gifted me the mug and the mini Ecoya candle. I requested Guava & Lychee Sorbet and it smells deliciously fruity – I can’t wait to light it.

My boyfriend’s parents got me a few things but the Agatha Christie book and Juicy Couture rollerball perfume were my favourite. The rollerball has Viva la Juicy at one end and Viva la Juicy Glacé at the other.

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How did you celebrate Christmas? What presents did you get?

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May Favourites 2017

May, where have you gone?! This month has zoomed past and I’m struggling to comprehend where all the time went. This month has been a bit of a lazy one, I haven’t always felt motivated, I’ve felt tired and I think that’s down to the the colder weather. I’m very much looking forward to my time off in June to take time out and relax.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Steps – Tears On the Dancefloor – When I heard my favourite band were reuniting for a second time at the beginning of the year I was over the moon! Steps are the ones who made me want to be a singer because their music is so joyous and uplifting and makes you smile when you listen to it. Last month they released their fourth studio album and first album of new material in years. I have been listening on repeat on Spotify as a friend from The UK is sending me a signed physical copy. I haven’t got anything signed of theirs and I can’t wait to hold the album in my hands. Steps have created current pop tracks mixed with their traditional sound. Their music has a deeper meaning and poignant lyrics but always sounds happy. Standout Tracks: Scared of the Dark, You Make Me Whole, Story of a Heart, Firefly and Glitter & Gold.

2. Victim: The Secret Tapes of Marilyn Monroe by Matthew Smith – I know who Marilyn Monroe is but I don’t know a great deal about her. I have been meaning to read this book after seeing it lying around home numerous times and let me tell you, this book was a real page turner. The book speculates a few ways she could have died and presents evidence for each case. The author remains neutral and lets the reader make up their mind. The author does lean towards the stance that Marilyn didn’t commit suicide and discusses how the tapes Marilyn recorded in secret for her psychiatrist support this theory. I don’t know what happened to Marilyn but thinking about it makes me sad. She had a beautiful spirit which lives on. 

3. Beanie – The weather has cooled down significantly over the past couple of weeks and it means I can get my beanie out. I love this beanie because it is so soft and the pom pom on top is ever so fluffy. I like the fact that it’s navy as it makes a change from my usual black accessories and means if I’m wearing black my outfit still has colour.

4. Keep Cup – My brother ordered this for me when he visited in April and I love it! I got to choose the colours myself (it’s a very Chanelle colour scheme) and the fact it’s personalised makes it more cool. I don’t often get takeaway drinks but on the odd occasion I do I will be able to use this from now on.

May’s Spotify Playlist:

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What were your favourite things in May?

P.S. Don’t forget to leave any questions in the comments section of *THIS POST* for my upcoming blog Q&A! Alternatively you can tweet any questions to @ChanelleTheSats.

December Favourites 2016

I know it’s not quite the end of December yet but I’ve got my posts all lined up for the end of the month so I figured I would share my monthly favourites a little earlier. I cannot believe how fast this year and this month in particular have gone. I started the month off with my Christmas shopping, the majority of which I smashed out in one day and I’ve been busy wrapping presents and getting the final bits and pieces for my recipients. I’ve also been pretty busy at work with filling in and late night finishes but it’s all worth it!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Mermaid Blanket – At the end of November I ordered a mermaid blanket from Ali Express. I selected a beautiful purple colour with flecks of light pink thread (which you can see in the image above). The shipping was free and the blanket only took two weeks to arrive from China. Being summer, I didn’t think I’d get the chance to use this for a while but I have got it out on a few occasions already. I’ve been wearing summer pyjamas but find I need something to take the chill off my legs in the evenings before bed. I’ve loved getting cosy on the couch with this and it’s so warm!

2. Dannii Minogue – My Story – I have owned this book for a couple of years now and I’ve read it multiple times. I like to take books to work to read when it’s quiet and I haven’t been to the library in a long time so My Story it was! By now you probably know how much I love Dannii and every time I read this book I learn something new and I’m reminded how amazing she is. Dannii literally tells her story from her childhood, to the breakdown of her marriage to her musical successes. Even if you’re not a fan of Dannii, I think you would enjoy this book because it’s humorous, honest and relatable. Dannii talks about personal struggles but she is able to talk about them with a sense of positivity and explains the growth they have given her. Overall, a great read!

3. Revlon – Sugar Plum – You also probably know about my love for Revlon’s lip butters too! I have picked up eight different shades over the past year and I cannot rave enough about their formula and colour payoff. I paid less than $10 (NZD) for all of these and they are worth it! If you saw Monday’s post, Christmas Makeup, you’ll know I plan on wearing Sugar Plum for Christmas this year. One afternoon I was applying this shade and I thought it would make such a lovely Christmas lip colour.

4. The Body Shop Vanilla Chai Hand Cream – During Project Pan I finished up The Body Shop’s Wild Argan Oil hand cream and a couple of weeks ago I popped into The Body Shop to take a look at the Christmas scents and Vanilla Chai is the one I was most drawn to. I love Vanilla in general and instantly knew I had to buy this hand cream. This hand cream has quite a spicy Vanilla scent to it which isn’t my favourite Vanilla scent but it’s pleasant enough for me to keep using. I probably wouldn’t purchase anything else from the Vanilla Chai range but I’m happy I tried the hand cream. As with all other hand creams I’ve tried from The Body Shop, this one is very moisturising, a little goes a long way and the scent doesn’t instantly disappear.

December’s Spotify Playlist:

This month is a cross between pop tracks and Christmas songs.

WARNING: The playlist is very Minogue heavy!