Life Favourites | March 2015

These kinds of posts are one of my favourites to write I think. Like I touched upon yesterday in my March beauty favourites I cannot believe it's the end of March already, but it's been a good month. My mind feels clearer than it has in a long time, there's been a lot more sunshine, I'm feeling good about sailboat after spending yesterday scribbling down ideas, and as I type there's a pup (I'm dog sitting for my mum!) snoring away next to me. 

* * *

At Wicks End Pink Rhubarb & Blackberry Candle
My sweet mama gave me this candle and I've been burning it at my desk all month. It smells SO good, like sweets, but not in a sickly sweet way if that makes any sense at all? And glass jars are lovely, but I do think I prefer candles in tins for some reason.

* * *

Harry Potter Crystal Goblet
My favourite souvenir from the Warner Brothers Studio Tour and it sits happily on my desk. It was much too expensive for just a chunk of plastic, but it's so tactile and generally brilliant. I have a real thing for odd looking objects and this fits the bill perfectly. Plus it's HP related so that makes it even better!

* * *

Watercolours
Inspired by the BBC Big Painting challenge I dug out my watercolours earlier this month and made time to paint. I can't draw at all so my efforts are mostly just colours swirled together, but it's so relaxing and sometimes there's just nothing better than making pretty patterns on a piece of paper. It's fun to experiment and make a bit of a mess no matter what your age!

* * *

The Mountain Can Wait by Sarah Leipciger*

"Tom Berry has always been a loner, a man content to live out his days in the wilderness with just enough ammunition and kerosene to last out the winter. A single father, he has raised his children with the same quiet and absolute dedication he brings to his forestry business, but now he's discovering that might not have been enough.

When his son, Curtis, on the brink of adulthood, disappears after a tragic accident, it falls to Tom, the hunter, to track him down. Whether he can truly reach Curtis is another matter."

It's not action-packed nor hugely riveting, and that for me is one of its strengths. It's an exploration of the relationship between father and son, and how actions towards one another can have deeper, sometimes unseen, and perhaps unexpected effects. It remains true to itself throughout, never pretending to be something its not and it feels so authentic. I felt like I was taken on a meandering route through the story and allowed time to admire the beautiful Canadian scenery, time to consider why Curtis reacts the way he does, and appreciate the journey that Tom goes on in order to truly connect.

It's not perfect, but it is one of the most atmospheric novels I've read in a long time and one to look out for when it's published on May 7th.

* * *

Let me know what you've been loving throughout March in the comments! 

* * *

xoxo

March 2015 Beauty Favourites

The end of March is upon us and spring is here...well, it's on its way at least. Over the past four weeks I've been attempting to calm my skin down after a reaction to something and begin to establish a new cruelty free skincare routine. I'm certainly not there yet but I'm getting there.

Ted Baker Body Lotion*
Ted Baker body products are wonderful. The packaging is very sweet and I love that this lotion comes with a pump. I've been using it everyday on my legs and it sinks in almost instantly whilst moisturising perfectly.

Bomb Cosmetics
This is more of a general brand favourite that a particular product because Bomb Cosmetics have a lot of really wonderful products in their range. I've been particularly enjoying their bath products and for some reason they appeal to me a little more than the bubble bars and bath bombs from Lush, but I'm not sure why.

Heal Gel Face*
My skin had a pretty bad reaction to something at the very start of March and I'm very thankful to past Jennie who stashed away a bottle of Heal Gel Face & a bottle of Heal Gel Intensive* because they helped soothe and calm my skin so much. They're incredibly expensive products but if you're particularly interested in trying one I would really recommend the intensive version. 

Good Things Manuka Honey Daily Moisturiser
I bought this a couple of weeks ago hoping that it would be gentle and not irritate my skin any more than it already was. Thankfully it's a really nice product and I like it, although I can't use it around my eye area because it can make them water a little.

Organic Surge Extra Care Replenishing Facial Oil*
The extra care range from Organic Surge is a little more expensive than their other products, but they're packed full of even lovelier ingredients. This oil has quickly become one of my favourite oils of all time because it's so lightweight. It hydrates my skin brilliantly and sinks in completely. If you have dry, sensitive skin this could be one to try.

Burt's Bees Lip Shine
A sheer lip gloss that is also moisturising = me needing one in every colour, especially when it's smooth and not sticky at all. I'm not huge on the fruity scent, but I'm happy to look past that because the formula is so lovely. 

Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara
Although I'm not really fussy with mascara it has been a little while since I've used one that I really enjoyed and there's something about this one that I really like. It's incredibly reliable and gives my lashes a bit of length, a bit of volume and a bit of definition without leaving them feeling crispy. The wand is quite large which I think will be a bit of a love/hate thing, but I'm a real fan.

Are there any beauty products that you have particularly loved over the past month? 

* * *

xoxo

Souvenirs.

Sometimes you just gotta swing by the gift shop, even if it does result in spending more money that is perhaps sensible. But who needs to be sensible when you can instead have a thoroughly good time, right? I have always enjoyed collecting souvenirs, and dotting them around my space is a wonderful way to relive some of the memories from brilliant days. Not every day goes as well as we would like it to and for those days I think it's important to surround yourself with things that make you smile.

Half way around the tour = Butterbeer time! This time I got mine in the uber-expensive tankard so I would be able to use it as a pen holder, alongside the Butterbeer cup I got last time I visited the tour, on my desk. Totally worth it. The mini cauldron now houses bookmarks on my shelf alongside a Pygmy Puff (who still needs to be named!) and some round spectacles that totally suckered me in as I was queuing to pay.

The crystal goblet is such a tactile object that serves no purpose really other than looking fabulous on my desk. Often dark magic is the most fascinating but mostly it's a reminder that sometimes it's necessary to make sacrifices or compromise to achieve something important.

Do you like collecting souvenirs from places you visit?

* * *

xoxo

Playlist | March 2015

* * * 

Bon Iver | I Can't Make You Love Me / Nick of Time
Phantogram | Turning into Stone
Family of the Year | Hero
The White Stripes | Fell in love with a girl
Kate Tempest | Bad Day for a Good Time

* * *

xoxo

I Went To Hogwarts! | Harry Potter Studio Tour.

Excuse me, can you tell me where I might find Platform Nine and Three Quarters?

A couple of days ago Mark & I visited Hogwarts (the Warner Bros. Studio Tour) for the second time (read about our first trip here) and it was perhaps even more incredible than the first. Platform 9 3/4, complete with real Hogwarts Express, had been open for a couple of days and we had to go and see it. There is so much to see and the atmosphere is so full of the excitement that radiates from everyone there, it's difficult not to be swept up in the magic of it.

Magical truly is the best word to describe it and it really is like stepping into one of the films. It's a real celebration of everyone that made the films possible from makeup and wardrobe, to the model makers, to the art department. The detail within every single aspect is exceptional and if you're able to visit you absolutely must - even if you're not the biggest Harry Potter fan.

Four hours later, hundreds of pictures taken, and far too much money lost in the gift shop we emerged very happy! We'll be back again that's for sure, maybe during Christmas time when all the decorations are up. Now, if only they'd let me move in... I wouldn't mind having a bowl of cheeri-owls at The Burrow every morning!

* * *

Have you visited Hogwarts?

xoxo