April Favourites

So we seem to be speeding through 2017 at an alarming rate and we are nearly at the end of April already. April seems to have sped by particularly quickly, though I’m quite certain that’s because my exams are looming at the beginning of May, however I’ve still managed to stumble across a few favourites over the last month so let me tell you all about them.

Okay so my first and my most recent favourite has to be my new bedding, I am in love. Some people might think it seems a bit childish or girly but when we went to Ikea the other day and I spotted this I made a beeline straight for the display. This STRANDKRYPA floral bedding is perfect for spring and has also made my room look a lot bigger as my bed isn’t such a dark colour anymore. It comes in a double size with 4 pillowcases so you don’t have to go trying to awkwardly matching up another 2 in a complimentary colour. It says £24 on the website but in store they  must have been on offer at £19 so quite the bargain.

Next up a bit of makeup, my most recent and probably only makeup purchase of the month has been the NYX Proof It Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer. This stuff has changed the eyeshadow game for me, it makes it last longer, appear more pigmented and less likely to crease. It’s just what I’ve been looking for to stop the neutral colours in my Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics Palette (gorgeous) wearing off during the day and what’s best is it only cost me £5.50 off of my Boots Advantage Card Points. It’s an easy consistency to rub into the eyelid and brow bone and is colourless so it doesn’t affect the natural skin tone around the eye area.

The Palette I’ve been teaming with the NYX Primer is my Zoeva Caramel Melange Palette which I got at Christmas as part of the Plaisir Box containing 3 full size palettes. The burnt orange/ reddy tones of this palette is basically all I’ve been wearing this month, in particular the colours Alchemy, Start Soft and Wax Paper. I’ve actually very kindly received some compliments on the colours and have had to write down what I’ve been wearing for people, in fact on the days I’ve gone to work in no makeup or not wearing these colours I’ve been questioned as to where my trademark April eyelook is.

My final beauty favourite is a shower gel. This month I’ve been loving the scent of the Original Source Lime and Coconut Milk Moisturising Shower Milk*. This stuff is so easy to pick up in Boots or the supermarket and it’s on offer all the time for like £1, but that’s not why I like it. For a start this product is vegan- brilliant, finally a cruelty free product that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, also the coconut milk means this shower gel is even more moisturising than the normal Original Source gels (I love the Raspberry and Vanilla one best) which has left my skin ready for summer. The smell, in my opinion, is identical to the Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Butter , which if you saw my most recent empties post, you will know I love. Basically I love this shower gel and so does Josh which is always a plus so I don’t have to buy 2 separate ones for us both to use.

Onto books! I think I’ve done quite well this month- I’ve managed to read 3, go me! First up and probably my favourite of the 3 is Extraordinary Means by Robyn Scheider. This book was lovely, I loved everything about it, the characters, the concept and the approach towards quite a difficult subject. The basic summary is that it’s set in our world and time but where a new strain of incurable Tuberculosis has broken out and those infected are being quarantined for the safety of the rest of the population and must live as outcasts in an emergency centre set up in an old boarding school. I won’t say anymore because it will spoil it, all I will say is if you don’t like a dual narrator this won’t be for you.

Next The Life-changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo I read this book in a couple of hours and it was very helpful. I’m already one for having a good clear out but this just added fuel to the fire…at 2am in the morning when I decided to empty out my chest of drawers. If you are a bit untidy, have too much stuff or struggle to throw things away this book will be very helpful and its actually very logical in the order in which you should throw things away. As she rightly points out there’s no point trying to throw away photos and sentimental items before you’ve worked through your wardrobe or kitchen as you won’t be able to part with anything. I’m really glad I read this one and finally ticked it off of my To Read list.

Finally the most recent of the 3 books I read is Capture Your Style by Aimee Song. If you like nice photos or want to improve your instagram or blogging platform-READ THIS BOOK. Aimee lists everything from how to edit your photos to how to instruct your photographer (your boyfriend/ mother/ random guy on the street) how to take a great outfit photo. I was literally in awe at how beautiful some of her photos were and I actually sat there showing them all to Josh begging him to take photos like that of me (how vain- I know) to which has has agreed to do. Even if you aren’t into blogging, or youtube or instagram, this book is still great to help you improve the quality of your holiday photos so I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Okay so this month’s TV favourite, now Broadchurch has finished forever (cries) has been 13 Reasons Why. So if you haven’t heard of this one, you must have been living under a rock for the past month because everyone is watching it. No spoilers please because I’ve not quite finished it but I had to mention it. It’s basically about the aftermath of the suicide of a teenage girl, who then leaves behind the 13 reasons why she chose to end her own life, it’s very moving and hard hitting and as I mentioned in a previous post, it makes you think about what effect your words or actions could have on others. I think a lot of people would do well to watch this programme and then think before they speak. You can watch the series on Netflix and the whole series is available to watch now.

Would it be a favourites post without a candle? I think not. This month I’ve been burning the Paddywax Black Coconut and Amber candle which comes in a gorgeous decorated bowl which can be washed out and used after the wax has burnt away. This smells like sunshine and coconut oil- yummy. It has 2 wicks so it burns pretty evenly and it hasn’t gone down too much either so it has a lot of burn time which is always good. I bought this from Boots and I haven’t seen them anywhere else but I’m sure they will be available online via Paddywax’ website if you’re not from the UK.

If you’ve seen my bestie and housemate Amy’s vlogs, you will have realised we are having a bit of a herbal tea moment. So much so that I have emptied a whole box of the Pukka Herbal Collection this month. My favourites from this box are the Night time tea which is really calming and really does make you nod off, and the Elderberry & Echinacea tea which is slightly more fruity. It just makes a change from the normal Yorkshire tea we drink by the gallon.

Finally my last favourites of the month are a couple of Youtube Channels (besides Amy’s). I have been loving The Anna Edit for years (back when she moonlighted as Viviannadoesmakeup). I watch her videos every Wednesday and Sunday and I love them but recently they’ve been really grabbing my attention, especially her newest Capsule Wardrobe videos- I aspire to that wardrobe. I think she seems really down to earth and I love to know what she eats in a day or wears in a week because, quite frankly I’m nosy. My other channel fave, which I mentioned in my Productivity blog post, is muchelleb, she is as she likes to say a badass babe. Her videos focus on living intentionally, organisation and productivity and I like to watch her videos if I’m feeling at a bit of a loose end because that woman has her shit together and it’s infectious.

So these are all the things I’ve been loving for the last month, let me know what your favourites are this month or if you also like any of mine.

Meg x

*Disclaimer: Any products marked with * were kindly sent to me by brands but all thoughts and opinions are my own.