April Favourites

Whilst flicking back through my recent blog posts, it dawned on me that I haven't actually written a monthly favourites post in nearly a year. So with April passing by in a flash (& in a bid to win back some blogging points) I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share a few of the items I've been loving this month.

The first item that I've been loving this month is the romantic novel by author Jojo Moyes; Me Before You. The story follows main character Lou Clark as she leaves her comfortable - & a little boring - life behind to work with Will Traynor, a successful businessman left with devastating injuries following a motorcycle accident. This is a heartbreakingly beautiful story that left me hanging on every word - however, be sure to keep the tissues near by.. it's definitely a tear jerker!

Throughout April I've also found myself taking a break from my usual perfume's & reaching for Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb. With notes of Mandarin, Jasmine & Freesia I've found that the floral scent make this a perfect perfume to wear as we head into Spring.

When it came to beauty throughout April I've found myself reaching for two items more than others. The first to make my favourites is the Real Techniques Powder Brush. With it's large, soft bristles & described as providing "smooth, high-definition results" I find this perfect for application of both  pressed & loose powders. The second beauty item that I've been loving this month is a cult favourite within the beauty world - Benefit's They're Real mascara. As someone who doesn't tend to wear false eyelashes, I genuinely find this to be the next best thing. Not only does it add curl & volume but it really does last throughout the day (perfect for day to night wear).

Last but not least is an item that I couldn't leave off my favourites list this month - the Invisibobble. Not only is this product gentle on the hair by helping to reduce split ends, it also eliminates the annoying "kink" that comes from using regular hair-bands. Something that is perfect for anyone who has long and/or thick hair like me.

I personally love reading monthly favourite posts, so hope you've enjoyed a little insight into a few of the items I've been loving throughout April. If there are any products that I've missed, be sure to let me know in the comments - I'm always on the look out for a new favourite item.

xxx

October Monthly Favourites

Whilst scrolling through my recent blog posts, I realised that I haven't put together a "monthly favourites" in nearly five months *oops!*.. so - as it's now nearing the end of October - I thought it was time to be a good blogger again & put together a little list of the items I've been loving this month.

1. Soap & Glory's Archery

Since picking up Soap & Glory's Archery I honestly wonder how I managed to apply my eye-brow make-up without it. The small & "super skinny" pencil is perfect to creating defined eye-brows with a natural yet "full" look. If you want to read a full review on the product, click here.

2. Peanut Butter Chocolate

Although not the healthiest - Tesco's Peanut Butter Chocolate has been my favourite "go to" treat recently. For any lovers of peanut butter & chocolate you need to get your hands on this - plus at only 75p it's a bargain (warning: this may will cause you to pick up multiple bars!).

3. The Walking Dead

After waiting for months & months, I honestly can't even begin to explain how excited I am that The Walking Dead is finally back on our screens! I'd definitely recommend this if you're looking for a new series to binge-watch. I wont post any spoilers, but I have to say that so far season six has not disappointed. 

4. Touch of Silver Shampoo

Since recently having my hair re-brightened (sorry bank account!) I've been using Touch of Silver Purple Shampoo at least once a week to help ensure any brassy tones are kept at bay. As many fellow blondes will probably agree - this product is honestly a hair lifesaver! 

5. My Fitness Pal

Although I've been attempting to lead a healthier lifestyle for a few months now, one of the thing I've really struggled with is knowing how good/bad food really is for me. That is until I discovered the My Fitness Pal app. For anyone who doesn't know, the app allows you to enter your fitness goal (e.g. losing 5lbs) & then calculates the recommend calories you should consume to achieve this. You then log your food, drink & exercise throughout the day. The app calculates and informs when you're close to reaching your daily calorie (or even sugar/carb/fat) intake. For someone who really didn't have a clue what was in my food, I've found this the perfect helping hand for making healthier choices.

6. Coconut Oil

If you've read my recent review post, you'll know how much I've been loving Coconut Oil since recently discovering it (I know, I know - I'm very late to jump on this bandwagon). As the colder weather has now made an appearance, this has been the perfect life saver for any dry/sensitive skin. 

Have you tried any of these products?
What have been your favourites throughout October?
xxx 

Monthly Favourites - May

Whilst having a look over my beloved Small and Blonde it stuck me that I haven't put together a monthly favourites post for a while now.. so I've decided to share of few of the things I've been loving the most throughout the month of May..

1. Peach Backpack - New Look [x] - 
I'm one of those people that will always over-cram their handbag & then complain that it's too heavy/wont shut properly.. So when I saw this adorable little back-pack in the sale on New Look's website I couldn't resist treating myself.. It's so useful for those days when you have lots to carry (i.e. when you're popping to the gym after work & really don't want to cram trainers into your handbag) yet it's also pretty cute. I love the shade & the simple metal detailing.

2. Birmingham Pride [x] - 
I wont go on too much about this one, as I wrote a whole post about Birmingham Pride - but this was one event that really stuck out to me this month. It was such a great experience & I loved showing my support the LGBT community.. (& of course.. I loved having my face painted!)

3. Make-Revolution Bronze Stick [x] - 
I've been eager to try product like this for a while now but the only version I could find came with a pretty high-end price tag.  Of course until I stumbled across this from Make-up Revolution. After trying this a few weeks ago it's quickly become a staple in my collection as I find it perfect for applying bronzer & it blends beautifully. 

4. Disney [x] - 
Okay, Okay.. I love Disney every month.. But I seem to be loving it just a teensy bit more than usual lately.. I've found myself singing away to classic Disney songs a fair amount & happily snuggled up on the sofa with a good old Pixar or Princess film.. Now if someone could just whisk me away to Disneyland (Paris or Florida... I'm not picky) it would be perfect! 

5. Belvita Yoghurt Crunch [x] - 

I know this may seem like a slightly strange product to feature, however I honestly love these breakfast biscuits.. to the extent that I get excited when 10:00am comes around at work & it's time for my breakfast snack. Admittedly I'm sure they're not the healthiest.. (come on.. fruit will always be a better option) but I find these to be a perfect way to keep me going until lunch.   

6. Barry M - Gelly Hi Shine Varnish [x] - 

Barry M are always a go-to brand for nail polishes for me as I love their effects & colour range.. but currently I am loving the hi shine range. I recently purchased the colour shown above & can't wait to purchase other shades. There's something about the shine that I personally find gorgeous.. plus so far the polish has lasted well on my nails before chipping - bonus!

7. Lost [x] -

I know, I know - Lost first came onto our TV screens years ago.. However I recently (whilst trying to find something to fill the Orange Is The New Black shaped hole in my heart) I stumbled across the series on Netflix. I have recently came to the end of the first series & although some people have said they didn't enjoy it all that much, I can safely say I'm hooked!

8. Liz Earl Toner [x] - 

This is another product I've mentioned previously in a post but I felt it really deserved it's own little mention in my favourites. I'll admit that some days after cleansing, I just can't be bothered with the extra step of toning after. However when I do use this product, I'm always so happy after. It always leaves my skin feeling smooth & clean, but without drying it out.. In my opinion this is a product that is definitely worth the extra pennies. 

What products have you been loving throughout May?

xxx

February Favourites

With February leaving us until 2016 (is it just me that thinks this month has flown by?!) I thought I'd put together my first Monthly Favourites post.

So here's a few of beauty & lifestyle items that I've been loving throughout the month of February.

(Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8)

1. Les Misérables - 
In particular the songs. If you haven't heard them, the Les Misérables songs are pretty amazing. I've found that if I'm feeling a bit down (post-birthday blues maybe) or even just a little sleepy, singing my heart out along with  Anne Hathaway and Samantha Banks has been the perfect pick me up this month. 
2. New Look's Kabuki Brush [x] - 
When I was got this brush I really wasn't expecting too much. However I've been loving using this recently. I've been using this pretty much everyday this month to apply and set my face powder & it works perfectly. The bristles are so soft and it's the perfect size for me. Plus for only £3.99 this brush is an absolute bargain! 
3. Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser [x] - 
As much as I love brands like Nivea and Simple for face products, recently I've loved using the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser. Although a little pricer then Nivea/Simple etc. This is the only cleanser that really removes all my make-up and leaves my skin feeling so soft. Plus I also find that if any pesky spots pop up, this cleanser is incredible at quickly shrinking down again. 
4. Barry M Baby Pink Nail Varnish [x] - 
I've had this shade of polish on my nails for roughly a week now and I've received so many compliments from people saying how pretty it looks. In addition to the kind words, the polish hasn't chipped once - which is always a great bonus. I hate nothing more then taking the time to paint my nails only for them to chip within a few hours. 
5. Cinderella Latte Mug [x] - 
I was given this mug by my work colleagues as one of my birthday presents and I absolutely love it! If there's one thing I need to get through a day in the office, it's definitely coffee and this is one of my favourite mugs to use. What Disney lover wouldn't love this sitting on their desk?!
6. The Gym [x] - 
After months of saying I'd do it, I finally bit the bullet and joined the gym. Whilst looking around there were many different gyms to choose from - but I really wanted something that wasn't going to eat away at my money - yet still offered everything I wanted to start getting into shape. I eventually decided on a company called The Gym Group. They have gyms up and down the country and are very pocket friendly at only £12.99 a month, and has all the equipment I need and more. I may not be anywhere near to an athlete yet, but I've loved going to the gym this month as it leaves me feeling so much healthier. 
7. Rimmel's Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation [x] - 
After reading such good reviews on this foundation I couldn't resits buying it a few months back. Now this foundation has become my everyday foundation. Now I wouldn't know if it really lasts 25 hours (who has their foundation on for that amount of time?) but it last pretty much all day. I also love the coverage this foundation provides as it covers any redness or blemishes on my skin. 
8. Orange Is The New Black -
I started watching Orange Is The New Black around 2 weeks ago (I know, I know - where have I been?) & I'm roughly about half way through the first season. If you didn't know - Orange Is The New Black is about Piper Chapman, a 30 something year old woman, who is sent to prison for a crime she committed ten years ago. The show follows the highs and lows that Piper faces as she adjusts to life behind bars. 
I'm already hooked to Orange Is The New Black & would 100% recommend it if you're looking for something new to watch. 

I hope you've enjoyed my first monthly favourites post - I may make this a regular appearance on my blog every few months. 

What's been your favourite lifestyle/beauty item of the month?

I'm always on the look out for new products or items to try out! 

xxx