The Makeup Products I Will Use Up In 2021 | Project Pan
Sunday, January 10, 2021
Starting a new year, we always have a few goals and one of mine is to finish up some of the makeup products I have in my collection. Okay, at least hit pan on them! Based on the project pan idea that has been around in the beauty world for quite a few years now, I won't be buying anything new until I have finished these up - so this goal goes hand in hand with my much bigger goal of not buying any new makeup this year. It might seem a little crazy, being a beauty blogger, but the past few months have really made me take stock of what I have already in my collection, and what I actually use. I won't be including products like mascara or concealer in this post, because I go through each of them every six months so it feels pretty pointless to include them.
Too Faced Chocolate Matte Bronzer
Having been featured in many a blog post, my Too Faced bronzer is one of my all-time favourite products. I bought it in New York which feels like absolutely ages ago, and despite using it most days since, I still haven't made a real impact on the pan. This is one of those that I doubt I would finish this year, even if I wore it every single day, but I would love to make a bit of progress with it.
Colourpop Supershock Highlight
The Colourpop highlight in the shade Flexitarian holds a very similar place in my collection as the Too Faced bronzer - bought it in New York, have used it loads since. It has a good dent in it, yet it still has a long way to go. It is my favourite highlighting shade, a gorgeous champagne shimmer that suits my skintone both in the summer and winter.
ABH Dip Brow
This is one I seriously think I can finish this year! I bought the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow pomade (in the shade Ebony) right at the beginning of last year, and since I don't use any other brow products, a good portion of it has already been used. It's already lasted a lot longer than a brow pencil like ABH's Brow Wiz, that only lasts me from 3-6 months, so it is far more cost effective. I've been estimating that it will last me about eighteen months, so I imagine half way through this year it might need replacing!
Glossier Sky Wash
The Sky Wash in the shade Valley is on the list to remind me to use it more often! I bought this literally two days before the Glossier shop in London closed for lockdown last year, and because we then spent so long indoors, it never really got its chance to shine. The orange tone is perfect for the spring season, so I'm hoping I can try and get it used then - being a liquid eyeshadow, it won't last as long as powder products!
ABH Soft Glam palette
No, I'm not aiming to finish the entire palette this year - that would be a difficult feat for any palette in my collection, let alone the one I've only had a year! But certain shades in Soft Glam I use every single day, pretty much, and it would be great to hit pan on them over the next year. Dusty Rose, in the bottom left, is my everyday go-to eyeshadow - it's the perfect base for any sort of look, especially a dusky pink. I get a lot of use out of Burnt Orange, Sienna and Rose Gold too.
MAC Velvet Teddy
I am determined to finish a whole lipstick for the first time this year, and I have no doubt it will be Velvet Teddy! One of my favourite lipsticks, there is only a tiny stub left of it now. Once I'm done, I will certainly be repurchasing a brand new one - replacing a lipstick because I finished it feels like such a feat!
Charlotte Tilbury Very Victoria
I doubt I will use Very Victoria up as quickly as Velvet Teddy, simply because there is far more left of it. However, it is my go-to lipstick that I reach for almost everyday, so although I maybe won't quite finish it, I really hope to be on my way by the end of 2021.
I've read and watched many project pan posts over the years, but never thought it could be for me until I considered attempting to not buy any new makeup this year. I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to use up some of my favourite products that I already own, to make space for new things. When it comes to things like mascara, I only have one on the go, and just replace it when it is finished anyway, so of course when I say buying no new makeup, I don't mean not replacing things! But when I have so many lipsticks and eyeshadow palettes already, I really want to try not to buy any new ones, instead making use of what I already own.
What makeup products do you want to use up this year?
EG x
Hello 2021
Wednesday, January 06, 2021
It feels difficult, or maybe downright ridiculous, to write about looking forward to the new year, when we've just been plunged into a lockdown just like where we were ten months ago. I've been unmotivated to write this one, but am desperate not to break blogging tradition!
The aim of this post is to look back on the goals I made in my 'Hello 2020' post, see if I achieved them or want to extend them into this year, and perhaps add a new goal or two. Last year I actually only made three goals - perhaps I was somehow aware that 2020 wasn't going to be an overly productive one.
Looking Back: Goals of 2020
My first was 'Read more books'. Now if you've read my recent round up of all the books I read in 2020, you'll know that I achieved this one and then some. My goal of twelve books for 2020, and my actual achievement of 36 books, may not look like a big number to some, but considering I only read five in 2019, I had come a long way.
I really want to continue with this goal into 2021 - I'm so glad I let reading back into my life this year. I am excited about new releases like never before, exploring different authors and genres and most importantly, have rekindled my love for books that I seemed to have lost over my teen years.
My second goal of 2020 was to put more time into my blog. This is a trickier one - I think at times, I really managed this, and at others I didn't. There were points where the endless staying inside sucked the inspiration from me, and others where I tried new ideas and wrote posts I was really proud of. I'm still torn between two mindsets about my blog this year - between being super organised and scheduling everything, or just going with the flow and writing when I feel like it. Honestly, the latter will probably be how I end up approaching it, because at the end of the day, blogging is a hobby, so I need to enjoy it!
The final goal I made last year actually made me laugh because I didn't even think about it the entire year - keeping up my French knowledge. After I finished my A Level in French, I really wanted to keep my skills up because they had come so far, but unfortunately this never became reality! I think the closest I got was watching Emily In Paris on Netflix and being proud of understanding what her French co-workers said behind her back!
Looking Forward: Goals for 2021
A new goal I want to make and stick with in 2021 is to make more time for artwork. You would think that last year, what with that huge lockdown, I would have had plenty of time for painting, and yet I only did two and a half paintings last year. Not great. Painting and drawing is one of my favourite hobbies, and the only one that makes me truly forget about everything else for a couple of hours. I find it so useful to relieve stress, so I really hope I can get more creative this year.
Buying less clothes and makeup is a big goal for me this year too. I did pretty well makeup wise last year and this year hope to stick with the rule of only buying replacement products eg. a new mascara or brow product when they run out. I'll soon be posting a 'project pan' style post about the makeup products I want to try and use up this year to make room for new things, so stay tuned! Buying less clothes is going to be more difficult - at first I was going to say no new clothes at all, but that would be lying as I have a list of a few gaps in my wardrobe I really want to fill this year - an oversized blazer and some good sandals being two I really want to find this spring. It's not that I buy over excessively, or that I'm in the habit of buying clothes I get bored of - I'm such an indecisive shopper that about 95% of my wardrobe are items that I love and will cherish for years. But because I love them all, there's plenty of them for now!
Are you making any goals this year? I was in two minds whether to even make any, since the start of 2021 doesn't really feel like a fresh start, but it's always good to try and make some positive changes, isn't it? Let me know how you are feeling about the start of this year!
Goodbye 2020
Thursday, December 31, 2020
I know, I know, when 2021 begins the world won't magically get back to normal, but I am more excited than any other year to say goodbye to 2020, as I imagine a lot of you are too. I round up what I have done every year in a blog post on the 31st December, but having read back through my previous ones, this year definitely feels different. I feel like there's a 'before' section, the first two and a half months of the year, and an 'after' section, everything since I left uni in March and lockdown was announced. Since then, all the exciting things I normally put into these posts - trips away, theatre visits, fun things with friends - have been taken away.
Despite the fact that I would characterise 2020 with one word; 'dull', looking back I can think of a few things that have really shaped the year for me, or make me happy to look back on.
In 2020 I have...
Seen two amazing West End musicals (pre-lockdown)
I started my year off in January by seeing Hamilton, which was a truly amazing experience. As the year has gone on I have got more and more obsessed with the soundtrack - Wait For It has to be my favourite. When it finally comes back (hopefully May next year, if all goes well), I urge you to go and see it - yes, it will be worth it! Similarly, I went to see Dear Evan Hansen days before theatres closed for lockdown. It blows my mind that I saw one of the last performances of it this year without realising.
Been to two incredible concerts at Manchester Arena
In a total contrast to the rest of the year, my February was characterised by coming up to see two concerts in Manchester - The Script and The 1975. The Script, as always, were amazing; I will go and see them again and again! But seeing The 1975 for the first time, in the best seats I have ever had in the arena, was possibly the highlight of my whole year. I watch videos from it back all the time and can't even believe it happened! The atmosphere was electric and I feel so lucky to have seen them live.
Had several things cancelled and postponed (2021 will be my year, fingers crossed!)
2020 has truly been a year of cancellations. I may have had no concrete plans for holidays booked, but I had a few West End shows cancelled, including Hairspray and Les Mis, had my McFly concert postponed not once, but twice and had FriendsFest postponed to the following year. This is a little mention for all the things that could have happened, including all the things that weren't yet booked, if 2020 hadn't been the 2020 we knew.
Read a TON of books
Re-reading my 'Hello 2020' goals for this year, I said that one of my goals was to read more books, but commented that my goal of twelve may be a little ambitious. Well, I definitely underestimated myself (and perhaps didn't predict a pandemic would give me so much time) and ended up tripling my goal with 36 books! To say that I never really made time to read for pleasure until this year, I am really proud of it and want to keep it up - maybe not to the same extreme, but still!
Listened to a lot of The 1975 & Taylor Swift
I said the exact same line last year - despite the craziness of 2020, some things never change! Taylor has had not one, but two albums out this year so her music has definitely lifted my spirits. I was listening to The 1975 a lot around the time of their concert and soon after, their latest album Notes on a Conditional Form was released.
My Top Listened To Artists of 2020:
(5 out of the 6 artists are the exact same as last year! I have written less music posts this year, but I think this is because I listen to the same artists on repeat...)
My Top 5 Songs of 2020:
1. Tonight Is The Night - McFly
2. If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know) - The 1975 (my most listened to track!)
3. Gold Rush - Taylor Swift
4. Wait For It - Hamilton soundtrack
5. The 1 - Taylor Swift
Been to a 'socially distanced' musical
In September everything seemed to be getting back to normal (how naive we were) and I managed to get another show in, although it was different to what I was used to. Sleepless at Wembley's Troubadour Theatre was a great show and the cast were sensational. But what I couldn't stop talking about was having a row all to myself - a change I could get used to.
Found two new favourite TV shows - Gilmore Girls & Derry Girls
Like reading, I've had even more time for Netflix this year, and both Derry Girls and Gilmore Girls have found firm places in my heart this year. They are two very heartwarming, uplifting and hilarious shows and have helped get me through that everlasting lockdown period in the middle of the year. I watched a few other shows this year that I loved, including The Morning Show and Trying on Apple TV, and This Is Us on Amazon Prime that I am about halfway through so far.
Explored Covent Garden
When I finally came back to London in September, I was really excited to be living a stone's throw away from Covent Garden. I have adored getting to know this gorgeous area of London and can't wait to do so even more next year - praying that everything reopens again very soon!
What have you done this year? I would love to hear what got you through the madness that was 2020!
All The Books I Read in 2020
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Here we are, at the end of the weirdest year EVER. It’s been a crazy one, but the extra time has led me to rekindle my love of reading, and read more books than I ever expected to. When setting my Good Reads reading challenge goal this year, I went for 12 books, equalling a book a month, which felt pretty ambitious at the time, bearing in mind I only read 5 books in 2019. But those 12 got read pretty quickly, and my new goal became 20, like 20 books in 2020. But then I’d achieved that by June! All in all, I ended up reading 36 books, which I consider a real achievement for me.
Most importantly, I’m happy I’ve felt inspired to get reading again, especially as 36 is such a great increase from the minimal 5 books I read the previous year. I felt out of love with reading a few years ago, when I’d grown out of the ‘young adult’ section, but didn’t feel quite right for the adult section just yet. In 2018-19 I generally just read non-fiction, and I’m glad I’ve let fiction back into my life again this year. However, I’ve still attempted to read a range of books, including non-fiction texts, ranging from historical books to memoirs.
I’ve read some of the best books ever that I can’t stop recommending to everyone, and some I’ve been pretty disappointed by, so today I can’t wait to give you the low-down on all the books I’ve read. I tried to keep them as short as possible, in mini-review form with star ratings, but I also had to write enough to do justice to every book too. Here we go!
Normal People - Sally Rooney 2.5 stars
Sadly, the year began with one I was quite disappointed by. I really wanted to like Normal People, I really did. The hype was huge when I read it, and got even greater once the series came out back in April. But unfortunately, this one was not for me! I didn’t find the main characters, Marianne and Connell very likeable, and if they just communicated like, you know, ‘normal people’, they might have found things a bit easier.A History Of The World In 21 Women - Jenni Murray 4.5 stars
Murray’s round up of 21 women who changed the path of history was both interesting and inspiring. Her choices represented a great range of both time and geography, from Joan Of Arc or Empress Dowager Cixi, to Toni Morisson or Angela Merkel. Towards the more recent figures that Murray has had a personal experience with, they feel a little more biased, but on the whole she presented their flaws as well as their achievements with great depth - this is the perfect book to dip in and out of depending on who you fancied reading about.Home Work - Julie Andrews 4.5 stars
I was excited to read Julie Andrews’ memoir of her Hollywood years largely to read about filming two of my favourite films, Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. Although these were over and done with in the first few chapters, I was still engrossed in the story of the rest of her work in the film industry, learning a lot about her career. She often kept us at arms-length, I feel a little more emotion would have been powerful, but nonetheless, I found this memoir to be a very enjoyable read.Dishonesty is the Second Best Policy - David Mitchell 4 stars
As an avid fan of the show Would I Lie To You?, I decided to read team captain David Mitchell’s latest book, a collection of his columns written for The Observer. On the whole, they were very witty and well-written, personally I preferred the more popular culture-focused subjects, topics such as Christmas and Patisserie Valerie - some of the political essays towards the end were written as early as 2015, so now felt a bit irrelevant.The German House - Annette Hess 3 stars
Hess’ novel The German House wins the award for weirdest book I read this year; I’m still struggling to get my head around it months later. Set in Frankfurt in 1963, almost twenty years after the end of WWII, young Eva Bruhns becomes a translator for trials about the war she can barely remember. The historical, Holocaust trial side of the book was incredibly insightful and heartbreaking - exploring the sentiment in Germany towards their role in the war not very long after it was a very interesting take. However, the other side of the story focuses on Eva’s family and that whole storyline was very strange and littered with plot-holes, which detracted from the trial story.To War With the Walkers - Annabel Venning 4 stars
A true account of six siblings' experience of the Second World War, from many different lenses including a London hospital, a Japanese prisoner of war camp, and the battlegrounds of Italy. It’s a wonder all the siblings managed to survive the war as you’ll find many close encounters and near misses in this book; it’s definitely an emotional one.The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath 4 stars
I never feel all that comfortable giving star ratings to classic novels such as The Bell Jar, because they’ve already been defined as classics for a reason, but here we are. I feel the book is very much split into two parts - the decadent, exciting life in 1950s New York, contrasts with the breakdown of mental health in the second part. I think the contrast between these almost makes you feel like it’s two different books in one, which somehow makes it such a good read.
The Giver of Stars - Jojo Moyes 5 stars
We come to my first 5 star book of the list, and my first Jojo Moyes read! The Giver of Stars is such a captivating read, set in 1930s Kentucky, about a female-run, horse-riding, travelling library. The English protagonist, Alice Van Cleave, is totally out of her depth when she learns married life to an American isn’t all she expected, and her character development and growth of confidence was an amazing journey.The Five Year Plan - Carla Burgess 3.5 stars
I read this one in a day, which would suggest it was pretty good, right, because I couldn’t put it down? However, it was actually quite unforgettable - I totally forgot I read it until I went on Goodreads. An easy read with likeable characters, but it bugged me that Orla’s love interest, Aiden, was basically trying to pull her away from her dream, her ‘plan’, all the time, just to suit him. Not cool.City of Girls - Elizabeth Gilbert 3 stars
The setting of the novel, 1940s New York, sure is decadent and gorgeous to read about. Our protagonist Vivian Morris, is age 95 and telling her story. While the chatty narration style is enjoyable, unfortunately the character is not. So self-obsessed and superficial that most of the time, she wasn’t even aware that the world was caught up in such a major war! The first page introduces a character that she doesn’t officially meet until 80% of the way through the novel, so I was impatiently waiting for a turn in the story that didn’t come until it was too late.The Prime Ministers - Steve Richards 4 stars
Steve Richard’s reflections of the British leaders during ‘modern times’, The Prime Ministers provides a balanced insight into the ups and downs that contribute to their elections and downfalls. I have a much greater understanding of the logistics of British politics through reading this; as a history student, it really helps me to understand the present by looking at previous leaderships. He highlighted the media’s influence on politics which I found really insightful.Everything I Know About Love - Dolly Alderton 2.5 stars
Based on reviews I’ve read, I feel like this is a bit of a love it or hate it book, and disappointedly I found myself in team ‘hate it’. While it gets better as it goes along (you could say, as Dolly matures), I struggled to see its purpose or how it is supposed to be so relatable. It seemed ironic that Dolly spoke about how excited she was to be a ‘grown-up’, yet carried on acting so annoyingly childish.Expectation - Anna Hope 4 stars
This sat on my shelf for a while because I was so scared it wouldn’t live up to my expectations (no pun intended) but I am happy to say that it did. The three female protagonists, Cate, Hannah and Lissa, each had their flaws but Hope created her characters in a relatable, rather than annoying way. Their imperfections were what made them all into such strong characters and accompanied by the London setting, this was a very enjoyable read.
The Flatshare - Beth O’Leary 5 stars
I was so sad when I got to the end of this, because quite frankly I would have been happy if it never ended and I simply carried on reading about Tiffy and Leon’s lives forever! The two share a flat but have never met, thus through post-it notes their lives begin to intertwine in a way neither could have ever predicted. I love that Beth O’Leary doesn’t stray away from more serious subjects either, creating a story that made me both laugh and cry like crazy.Half A World Away - Mike Gayle 4 stars
Warning - this is an incredible emotional read! I had to put the book down and take a break at one point because it was simply TOO MUCH EMOTION. TEARS EVERYWHERE! A heartfelt and well-written tale about two siblings separated as children who find their way back to each other’s lives. I loved Gayle’s technique of omitting information from the reader so we are unknowingly misled like one of the characters.Never Greener - Ruth Jones 3.5 stars
I had high hopes for Ruth Jones’ novel debut, which I think is why I was so disappointed by Never Greener. Her incredible Gavin and Stacey is such a success because of its lovable characters, and yet the protagonist of Never Greener, Kate, is simply despicable! After reuniting with her first love, Kate begins to wonder if the grass could have been greener, exploring what it means to have a second chance at what could have been.
Why We Get The Wrong Politicians - Isabel Hardman 4 stars
This provides a real insight into the world of parliament, including what exactly MPs get up to on a daily basis and the logistics surrounding this. While I learnt a lot from this book, the title is very misleading. It’s more about the life of a politician, rather than why we get the wrong ones, and although Hardman goes on to explain why politicians make bad laws, they themselves aren’t exactly what is wrong with the system.The Switch - Beth O’Leary 4 stars
Beth O’Leary’s sophomore novel, it was certainly going to be hard for this one to live up to The Flatshare! Leena and her grandmother Eileen switch lives, with Eileen moving into Leena’s London flat looking for a second chance at love, and Leena moving up to rural Yorkshire for a break from her high-pressure job. The characters of The Switch are just as lovable as those in The Flatshare and the story is fun and quirky.
The One Plus One - Jojo Moyes 4.5 stars
I look back on this book with such fondness! Single mum Jess is just trying to do the best for her children. She’s struggling to do it all on her own, but will never admit it. After an unfortunate mishap, Ed finds his life turned upside down, and just wants to make good. On an unlikely trip, their lives are pulled together in the most unusual ways. I absolutely love Jojo Moyes’ writing style and this was such a fun story, I loved all the characters, especially the quirky children, Tanzie and Nicky.The Secret Barrister 3 stars
The cover describes this one as ‘stories of the law and how it is broken’, so I think I was expecting some thought-provoking and grabbing court case tales. However, this is more of an explanation of how the British legal system works, and why this is good or bad. I learnt a lot from it, but it was rather dry so took a while to get through.Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman 4 stars
Gail Honeyman’s bestseller was an enjoyable read; very character, rather than plot driven, which suits me but isn’t always for everyone. Eleanor leads a simple life, with a predictable routine - go to work, get a meal deal, go home, repeat. But it’s fine, she’s happy. Or is she? I loved how Eleanor was a very quirky yet likeable character - aspects of her personality that could potentially be annoying ended up being very endearing. I loved getting to know her and I think you will too.Such A Fun Age - Kiley Reid 4 stars
One of the most exciting releases of 2020, Such A Fun Age is an American novel about two women, career woman Alix, and her daughter’s babysitter, Emira. The two women end up shocked by their unlikely connection to the same man. Reid explores ideas of race and class in modern America with such insight and the novel is so well-written - I would never have guessed this was a debut. While I found the ending of the novel quite unfulfilling, I can’t wait for more of her work.
Grown Ups - Marian Keyes 4.5 stars
My first ever Marian Keyes read was her latest novel, Grown Ups and it wins the award for the longest book I read this year; it’s a LONG one. Which says even more about the fact that I read over half of it in one day, it gripped me so much! The Caseys are a big family who spend every occasion together - birthdays, anniversaries and holidays in Tuscany. However, tensions are brewing under the surface - what happens when the secrets all come tumbling out? There’s a lot of characters to get to know and remember - it’s a good job there’s a family tree at the beginning! While I didn't find most of them very likeable, I was still thinking about the story a week later, and this impact made me rate it so high.Me Before You - Jojo Moyes 5 stars
Louisa Clark starts an unusual job, looking after Will Traynor who became paralysed after an accident. The ultimate rom-com novel, I absolutely adored this book. Because I had watched the film a few months earlier, I knew what to expect and wasn’t too emotional, but there are many moments that the film omits that give even more depth to the characters.An Unsuitable Match - Joanna Trollope 3 stars
When Rose and Tyler get engaged as each other’s second chance at love, the reaction of their children threatens to ruin everything. Unfortunately, An Unsuitable Match was a slow and dull read - all the characters just seemed to be moaning about something, from beginning to end! It seemed like no family member was prepared for anyone else to be happy.She Said - Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey 4.5 stars
A true account of the two New York Times journalists who broke the Harvey Weinstein scandal, Kantor & Twohey’s investigation was incredibly gripping. I was hooked and shocked from the get-go and the work they did was truly groundbreaking. The book deviates towards the end, touching on the Brett Kavanaugh case, which felt detached because it wasn’t their investigation to tell. But, overall this is a must-read.Daisy Jones & The Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid 3.5 stars
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel is very unusual - an interview style of a fictional seventies band, describing the rock and roll drama they experienced. In theory, it sounded like a great idea, but because it’s difficult to imagine the songs of the band, it was difficult to emotionally connect to. Despite the interesting characters, the ending fell flat, giving me mixed opinions about this one.After You - Jojo Moyes 3.5 stars
Jojo Moyes reunites us with Louisa Clark in the second installment of the Me Before You trilogy, but sadly it did not live up to the original. After promising Will she would try new things, Louisa finds herself stuck struggling in a dead-end job. Not the exciting adventure I was expecting!Olive - Emma Gannon 5 stars
Olive is an absolute gem, to the point I almost teared up a bit at its final page. Olive has always been in sync with her three close friends, but feels lost as they drift apart, towards marriage and motherhood without her. I loved all four of the women in the novel; despite Olive being the central character, the issues Bea, Cecily and Isla faced were equally explored and valid. Chuck in a bunch of paralleling coincidences, from them going to the same university as me, to the same Portguese village on holiday, and I couldn’t be more in love with this book.Airhead - Emily Maitlis 3.5 stars
Presenter of BBC Newsnight, Emily Maitlis breaks down some of her most groundbreaking interviews; from the shocking to the unplanned. Airhead is an interesting and enjoyable read, but I expected more of an in-depth look at journalism, rather than simply rehashing specific interviews, making some chapters more appealing than others.Only You - Kate Eberlen 3.5 stars
Letty, from London, and Alf, from Blackpool, meet in Rome where dance provides them with an instant connection. Split into three parts, part 1 and 3 are enjoyable, however things get a bit messy in part 2. The reason I read this was to see how the author would portray Blackpool - not very well, I must add.Quite - Claudia Winkleman 4 stars
After being in a book reading slump (all that extra uni reading started to take its toll), Claudia Winkleman’s recent memoir, Quite, was the perfect read to raise spirits. With chapters about different aspects of her life - from strictly to eyeliner - it was funny, relatable, and very Claudia - her personality shone throughout.
Paris Echo - Sebastian Faulks 3.5 stars
Faulks alternates between the narratives of Hannah, an American academic studying women during The Occupation, and Tariq, a Moroccan teenager attempting to connect with his mother’s past life in Paris. I enjoyed the historical occupation excerpts, but felt the writing was emotionally detached from them, and there were a few confusing plot points left unexplained.The Diary of a Bookseller - Shaun Bythell 3 stars
A day-to-day diary of life owning a bookshop in a Scottish town, The Diary of a Bookseller was fun to begin with, but became increasingly dry as it went on, because it was all a bit of the same. And when it wasn’t the same, it was about some fishing trip that I really wasn’t interested in!Billy and Me - Giovanna Fletcher 4 stars
I reserved this on BorrowBox before it was announced Giovanna was going into the I’m A Celeb castle, but it felt even more fitting to read her debut novel while she was in there! Sophie May is a waitress in her ordinary town, but her life is turned upside down when heartthrob actor Billy comes to shoot a film there. An exciting novel but Billy’s character definitely needed more depth, sometimes it seemed like Sophie is complaining and worrying for no reason and other moments feel out of character. But overall, a great debut novel - I can’t wait to work my way through the rest of her work!Still Me - Jojo Moyes - 4 stars
The third novel of the Me Before You series, Still Me is the final book I read in 2020, although I haven't quite finished it yet - 70% through! Louisa Clark's life has taken an exciting turn as she takes a job in glamorous New York, although struggles to leave home behind. I'm finding this one more enjoyable than After You (largely because of the setting), but it will never quite live up to the original.
I have quite a few books on my shelf I am excited to be getting on with next year! I can’t wait to get stuck into all the books in my birthday book haul, and I also have the hugely raved about Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo and Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens that are sat on my shelf and ready to be read.
The Best Books of 2020
You may have noticed that there were four five star reads this year; The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and Olive by Emma Gannon. Coincidentally, they are all novels that have been released in the past year or so, with the exception of Me Before You being written several years earlier. These were ones that made me feel emotional, made me not want to put it down, and made me want it to never end. They were all great novels that I wholeheartedly recommend - but I'd say if any I gave at least four stars to take your fancy, they are worth the read.Looking Forward - My 2021 Reading Goals:
Reading thirty-six books this year can be owed to lockdown, and I’m very much hoping that I don’t have quite as much spare time on my hands next year! In 2021 I’m going to be setting my GoodReads goal as 21 books (21 for 2021!) but I hope to read between 21 and 24; I think two books per month isn’t too much pressure.I have quite a few books on my shelf I am excited to be getting on with next year! I can’t wait to get stuck into all the books in my birthday book haul, and I also have the hugely raved about Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo and Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens that are sat on my shelf and ready to be read.
If you got this far - congrats! This year was so extraordinary, I doubt you'll ever see a book round up quite this long from me again! What was your favourite book of 2020? I would love to hear what you enjoyed, or maybe what you were disappointed by!
EG x
McFly - Young Dumb Thrills Review
Saturday, November 28, 2020
I have been of McFly for what feels like forever, and yet until 13th November 2020, I had never had the chance to eagerly anticipate the release of their latest album. I was completely blown away when I saw them in concert at the Keep Calm and Play Louder tour in 2012 and since then have seen then have met Tom at a book launch (and have him tweet that he read my book review!), seen them as McBusted in my unheard of hometown, and more recently, been to Danny's solo concert in Manchester. That was just over a year ago and I remember then being very doubtful I would see them back together, so imagine my excitement that they were back together and making a new album. It had been a whole ten years since their last one, so of course I had very high hopes.
The album is a mixture of sounds that sum up McFly - the fun pop hits reminiscent of their early days, the pop-punk inspired tracks and the Springsteen-esque that are obviously Danny's .
The album begins with Happiness, which they released during the summer as their first proper single in goodness knows how long. It is very feel good and cheery - it could turn a bad mood around in no time! Another Song About Love and Heads Up have a very similar feeling - incredibly catchy and positive. The lyrics are fun and easily memorable. Vocals come primarily from Tom on these, although we hear more of Danny in Another Song About Love, and I enjoy Dougie's vocals on Heads Up.
You're Not Special is similar to those three with a catchy and infectious beat, but I find its lyrics rather disheartening - I'm sure that wasn't their aim, but the repeated 'everybody else is just like you... you're not special' led me into somewhat of an existential crisis on first listen, making the fact it's so catchy not ideal. It's a weird one, because the sound of it is very upbeat, and yet the lyrics are a bit depressing!
Tonight Is The Night is the second single they released before the album, accompanied with a great video. This is easily the stand out track of the album. I adore the guitar riffs, the lyrics are sensational and Danny's vocals in the chorus are incredible. This is going to be amazing live on tour.
We then come to Young Dumb Thrills and Growing Up, two tracks that I personally find myself skipping more than listening to. The pop-punk vibes are simply not my thing, although I know that Growing Up has been a lot of fans' favourite. McFly have never featured any other artists on previous albums and these two collaborations with RATBOY and Mark Hoppus were not necessary this time round.
The tracks following those two constitute my favourite part of the album. Mad About You has a classic McFly feeling and the way it rises and falls really stands out. Sink Or Sing has a gorgeous ballad sound to it and really highlights Danny's amazing vocal ability. Like I Can isn't a stand out but I can't complain about hearing Danny so much! Both Sink or Sing and Like I Can have a bit of a One Direction vibe - remember how McFly wrote Don't Forget Where You Belong off Midnight Memories? These two have a very similar sound.
Wild and Young is another stand out track; it's up with Tonight Is The Night for me. It's no surprise that this was originally one of Danny's solo tracks that I saw live on his tour. It is definitely inspired by his idol Bruce Springstreen and is such a powerful track, made even better now he's accompanied by the rest of McFly for that strong beat.
Not The End brings us to the end of the album and has the most distinctive and unique intro of a McFly song ever. It's one you inevitably end up swaying to and leaving in them laughing and joking around at the end is classic McFly. It really sums up where they are as a band right now and finishes the album perfectly.
The more I have listened to Young Dumb Thrills, the more it has cemented itself as a great McFly album, alongside the rest. Perhaps I enjoy the more powerful and rockier sound of Red, Touch the Rain and Hyperion that we got from The Lost Songs last year and perhaps I was hoping for something more reminiscent of Radio:ACTIVE, but that comes down to my personal taste. McFly have experimented with their sound on some tracks of this album, but it is also very fitting with their previous music. Tonight is The Night and Wild and Young have quickly become some of my favourite McFly songs ever, which is a real testament to how great they are.
I can't wait to hear the album on tour - fingers crossed we'll be back in those arenas eventually! What is your favourite album right now?
EG x
Birthday Book Haul
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
One of my favourite things to receive for my birthday is books - simply because I always have a never ending list of books I want to read, and it's nice to get a few ticked off! Although I love them, I rarely find myself buying hardbacks and much prefer to be gifted them. This year I received three books from my grandparents and one from my parents - four totally different books; two novels, one historical memoir and one modern non-fiction. I can't wait to get stuck into them!
Clothes and Other Things That Matter - Alexandra Schulman
Synopsis: Alexandra Shulman delves into her own life to look at the emotions, ambitions, expectations and meanings behind the way we dress. This startlingly honest memoir from the ex-Editor of British Vogue will encourage women of all ages to consider what their own clothes mean to them, the life they live in them and the stories they tell.
Inside Vogue, Alexandra Schulman's diary as the editor-in-chief of British Vogue during its hundredth year is one of my favourite ever reads, so I can't wait to read her recent memoir. It has been described as a mix of "memoir, fashion history and social commentary" and I can't think of a better combination.
Ghosts - Dolly Alderton
Synopsis: 32-year-old Nina Dean is a successful food writer with a loyal online following, but a life that is falling apart. When she uses dating apps for the first time, she becomes a victim of ghosting, and by the most beguiling of men. Her beloved dad is vanishing in slow motion into dementia, and she's starting to think about ageing and the gendered double-standard of the biological clock. On top of this she has to deal with her mother's desire for a mid-life makeover and the fact that all her friends seem to be slipping away from her...
I can't wait to read Dolly Alderton's debut novel, Ghosts. It is a surprising choice for me, considering the fact that I am not the biggest fan of her memoir, Everything I Know About Love, but when I heard her describe the plot of Ghosts on her recent episode of the Off Menu podcast I suddenly really wanted to read it. I love that there's going to be a friendship and family storylines woven in there and I have high hopes for a great, character-driven plot.
The Choice - Edith Eger
Synopsis: In 1944, sixteen-year-old ballerina Edith Eger was sent to Auschwitz. Separated from her parents on arrival, she endures unimaginable experiences, including being made to dance for the infamous Josef Mengele. When the camp is finally liberated, she is pulled from a pile of bodies, barely alive.
The horrors of the Holocaust didn't break Edith. In fact, they helped her learn to live again with a life-affirming strength and a truly remarkable resilience.
Until I was writing this blog post, I genuinely thought this was a holocaust novel, on the lines of The Tattooist Of Auschwitz, rather than a true story. I now realise this is going to make it even more impactful. It has been a while since I've read a book about the Holocaust, despite the fact you can find many bestsellers in Waterstones. They are far too moving and emotional to read very often, but after hearing great things about The Choice I am looking forward to giving it a read, despite how many tears it will probably cause!
Us Three - Ruth Jones
Synopsis: Meet Lana, Judith and Catrin. Best friends since primary school when they swore an oath on a Curly Wurly wrapper that they would always be there for each other, come what may.
After the trip of a lifetime, the three girls are closer than ever. But an unexpected turn of events shakes the foundation of their friendship to its core, leaving their future in doubt - there's simply too much to forgive, let alone forget. An innocent childhood promise they once made now seems impossible to keep . . .
I read Ruth Jones' debut novel, Never Greener, a few months ago and wasn't completely sold by it. However, this was more the fault of unlikeable protagonists rather than the writing itself and Us Three sounds more up my street. The story of three female friends is one that sounds very relatable and I can't wait to get to know the characters.
What books have you added to your collection recently, and what are you currently reading? I've almost finished a book called "The Diary of A Bookseller" and have been really enjoying it!
EG x
The 2020 Luxury Beauty Gift Guide
Sunday, November 15, 2020
A few weeks ago I posted by Boots beauty gift guide and today we are focusing on the finer things in life - luxury beauty. I am here to prove luxury gifts don't have to cost a fortune, with several on my list costing under £20! I have decided to organise them by price into three ranges to make it easier for you to narrow down the gifts by budget. There's something for everyone here - from lipstick fans to skincare lovers.
£10-£20
First off we start with the Benefit ‘Makeup Shakeup’ set - at £13.50 this a perfect budget friendly introduction to luxury makeup, especially for someone who has never tried it before. The set includes three of Benefit’s best-selling products in miniature size, all encased in a festive cracker.
Luxury skincare brands have some great sets this year - these are always perfect to try out a new brand. The Rituals bath and body set includes three relaxing best-sellers including a shower foam, while NEOM’s ‘Sleepy vibes’ set includes a calming pillow mist. I’ve wanted to try Fresh products for a while, so this set including their cult favourite cleanser is on my list.
It isn’t a gift guide without a palette, so while you’ll see a few of these pop up in this post, my most affordable option is from Zoeva. Their palettes are cheaper than some but still amazing quality, so they really are the best of both worlds. This Radiance eyeshadow palette at £19 includes some gorgeous rose and golden tones.
Luxury skincare brands have some great sets this year - these are always perfect to try out a new brand. The Rituals bath and body set includes three relaxing best-sellers including a shower foam, while NEOM’s ‘Sleepy vibes’ set includes a calming pillow mist. I’ve wanted to try Fresh products for a while, so this set including their cult favourite cleanser is on my list.
It isn’t a gift guide without a palette, so while you’ll see a few of these pop up in this post, my most affordable option is from Zoeva. Their palettes are cheaper than some but still amazing quality, so they really are the best of both worlds. This Radiance eyeshadow palette at £19 includes some gorgeous rose and golden tones.
£20-£30
My middle price bracket, between £20-£30 is easily where I found the most products and I think these are still all really great value.
Mini lipstick sets are always ideal for any lipstick lover. Becca’s set includes a nude and a red to take you from day to night, and Charlotte Tilbury’s includes three bestsellers, including cult classic Pillow Talk, and my own favourite lipstick, Very Victoria.
There’s a couple more items from Charlotte Tilbury’s holiday collection that I am obsessed with this year. Firstly, a limited edition matte revolution lipstick in the shade Super You with gorgeous bejewelled packaging. I recently purchased this lipstick as a treat for myself (review coming soon, promise!) and it’s such a lovely shade. The mini filmstar bronze and glow also stood out to me; having seen it in store I can say that it’s still a very adequate size but half the price cheaper than the original.
Mini lipstick sets are always ideal for any lipstick lover. Becca’s set includes a nude and a red to take you from day to night, and Charlotte Tilbury’s includes three bestsellers, including cult classic Pillow Talk, and my own favourite lipstick, Very Victoria.
There’s a couple more items from Charlotte Tilbury’s holiday collection that I am obsessed with this year. Firstly, a limited edition matte revolution lipstick in the shade Super You with gorgeous bejewelled packaging. I recently purchased this lipstick as a treat for myself (review coming soon, promise!) and it’s such a lovely shade. The mini filmstar bronze and glow also stood out to me; having seen it in store I can say that it’s still a very adequate size but half the price cheaper than the original.
A few more makeup brands have some great gift sets in this range, including Laura Mercier’s eye kit, which offers an eyeshadow stick and mascara duo in order to create a classic glowing look. Huda Beauty’s Nude Obsessions set features an eyeshadow palette and matching mini liquid lipstick, in three different shade varieties to suit a range of skin tones and preferences. I also love Benefit’s £28.50 “BADgal to the bone” set; including two full sized products and one mini, it really is unbeatable value.
The Floral Street perfume crackers, including a 10ml fragrance for £24 are such a gorgeous gift. I recently received the Wonderland Peony scent for my birthday and it is beautiful, but all nine of their scents are available to best suit your recipient.
My final pick in this price bracket is the body souffle trio from Origins. I absolutely adore their packaging, it screams Christmas! I can only imagine how great these must smell and how beneficial and nourishing they would be.
The Floral Street perfume crackers, including a 10ml fragrance for £24 are such a gorgeous gift. I recently received the Wonderland Peony scent for my birthday and it is beautiful, but all nine of their scents are available to best suit your recipient.
My final pick in this price bracket is the body souffle trio from Origins. I absolutely adore their packaging, it screams Christmas! I can only imagine how great these must smell and how beneficial and nourishing they would be.
£30+
These are the real treats at £30 and beyond, for someone who you really want to spoil this Christmas!
Eyeshadow palettes were the first thing that came to mind when thinking of this price range. The Too Faced Born This Way palette is my favourite palette release of 2020 and includes sixteen gorgeous natural shades. Anastasia Beverly Hill’s Soft Glam is one of the best palettes I own and this year they have released a gorgeous miniature version that is bound to be at the top of every eyeshadow lover’s Christmas list.
MAC and NARS are two of my favourite high end makeup brands so it’s no surprise that they would feature somewhere here. I love this NARS lip balm set for a splash of colour. I don’t know about you, but mask wearing has made my lips so dry, I can’t imagine anything better than these! MAC’s Christmas collection is a winner every year and their firework inspired range this year does not disappoint. I especially love the highlighting kit, including an Extra Dimension Skinfinish highlighter in a gorgeous champagne shade with a brush to apply and a pouch to keep them in.
For all the skincare essentials they could ever need, look no further than Liz Earle’s set including five products, a sponge and cloth to apply them and a wash bag to keep them all in. It’s perfect for someone who loves to travel with a bit of luxury, having a handy kit to grab and go.
My final pick is a fair bit pricier than the rest, but it is the perfect luxury treat for the makeup fan in your life. Zoeva has to be one of the best makeup brush brands around, and their rose gold set includes everything you need, from contour to brows. They are more expensive than some, but they are going to last a long time and upgrade any makeup routine.
Eyeshadow palettes were the first thing that came to mind when thinking of this price range. The Too Faced Born This Way palette is my favourite palette release of 2020 and includes sixteen gorgeous natural shades. Anastasia Beverly Hill’s Soft Glam is one of the best palettes I own and this year they have released a gorgeous miniature version that is bound to be at the top of every eyeshadow lover’s Christmas list.
MAC and NARS are two of my favourite high end makeup brands so it’s no surprise that they would feature somewhere here. I love this NARS lip balm set for a splash of colour. I don’t know about you, but mask wearing has made my lips so dry, I can’t imagine anything better than these! MAC’s Christmas collection is a winner every year and their firework inspired range this year does not disappoint. I especially love the highlighting kit, including an Extra Dimension Skinfinish highlighter in a gorgeous champagne shade with a brush to apply and a pouch to keep them in.
For all the skincare essentials they could ever need, look no further than Liz Earle’s set including five products, a sponge and cloth to apply them and a wash bag to keep them all in. It’s perfect for someone who loves to travel with a bit of luxury, having a handy kit to grab and go.
My final pick is a fair bit pricier than the rest, but it is the perfect luxury treat for the makeup fan in your life. Zoeva has to be one of the best makeup brush brands around, and their rose gold set includes everything you need, from contour to brows. They are more expensive than some, but they are going to last a long time and upgrade any makeup routine.
Are you dreaming of any luxury beauty products this year? I would love to hear what is on your wishlist!
EG x
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