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
Everything I'm Listening To In Autumn 2020
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Let's get the Spotify out and see what I've been listening to this autumn...
It's been a while since I have written one of these! Today I'll be sharing with you a few music favourites and for the first time ever, a few podcasts that I have been loving this season.
MUSIC
Let's start off with a few music favourites! Unusually, I really feel like I haven't discovered anything new lately, hence why I haven't written a post like this on my blog for a while. I've tended to just stick to the same old and I'm not too bored of it! However, there are a few recent releases that I can't get enough of right now.
McFly
With their first album in ten years (TEN!) finally being released on Friday, you can bet that my autumnal Spotify playlists will be dominated by McFly. So far we've had a couple of singles and I am loving their latest, Tonight is the Night, with such incredible lyrics. I can't wait to hear what the rest of the album will bring!
Taylor Swift - Folklore
Taylor Swift's latest album may have been released back in July, but I am simply still totally obsessed with it. I always felt like it was a real autumnal feeling album anyway, so in the heat of August I tried to put it aside to when I would really enjoy it, during those drizzly days of October and November.
Blossoms - Foolish Loving Spaces
I've recently found myself listening to a lot of the band Blossoms, especially their Foolish Loving Spaces album that came out earlier this year. They are so lighthearted and uplifting with such amazing guitar riffs - If You Think This Is Real Life and The Keeper always guarantee to put me in a good mood. It's definitely the album I have been playing the most when walking around London.
Mary Poppins West End Soundtrack
This one came out only a few days before I am posting this, but yes I am already obsessed. A year ago, for my birthday, I went to see Mary Poppins at the West End and had a truly incredible experience, it has to be one of the best shows I have ever seen. While I can't tell you all to go and see it now (thanks for that, Covid), you can get the audio experience of the show with the soundtrack featuring the amazing current cast. It has taken me right back to seeing it live, and yes, I cry at Feed The Birds on the soundtrack just as much as I did seeing it on stage.
PODCASTS
Until the past few months, I couldn't really get into podcasts; I much preferred just watching something and found them a bit awkward to fit into my life. However, I've really got into them more - I think it's just a case of finding the right ones, and I have been enjoying listening to them while on a long walk, cleaning, baking, or perhaps just when I feel too tired to watch a screen anymore (Zoom class fatigue is real!).
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster
Off Menu was the first podcast I really got into - it is laugh out loud amusing and has made many a long train journey go by quick. Comedians Ed & James ask a famous guest what their dream starter, main, side, desert and drink would be in their "dream restaurant". It's a great concept that evokes hilarious conversation and controversial opinions - such as whether cheese is acceptable for dessert (my own opinion is absolutely not!).
Best Episodes: Victoria Coren Mitchell, Aisling Bea, Tom Allen, Claudia Winkleman
At Home With Lily and Anna
A lifestyle podcast featuring Lily Pebbles and Anna of The Anna Edit (the only YouTuber I still consistently watch these days), At Home With Lily and Anna began a few years ago as a look into other women's homes, but was revived during lockdown earlier this year in a new format. These days, they begin by discussing their lifestyle favourites of the week, including a "top of the box" section of their most recent TV watch. Then, they discuss questions from listeners on a variety of topics, from their blogging journey to music and beauty. I can easily spend an hour listening to these two, it almost feels like catching up with two friends!
Best Episodes: "Q&A: Quitting YouTube and Getting Stopped In The Street", "Off Menu: All Things Food" (recognise the inspiration there?!), "All Things Weddings".
The Michelle Obama Podcast
I was so excited when Spotify announced an original podcast by Michelle Obama. In many ways building on topics discussed in her book Becoming, Michelle opens up about a range of topics, from growing up in Chicago to living in the White House - which is such an otherworldly concept that I simply always want to know more about. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of these topics with her brother Craig, who offered some really interesting insights about being so closely related to the Presidential buzz while still being separate from it.
Best Episodes: "President Barack Obama", "Growing Up Robinson With Craig and Michelle", "Family Ties: On Raising Kids with Craig and Marian Robinson".
Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicome's Lockdown Parenting Hell
My most recent podcast find is one that I am seriously addicted to right now. Comedians Rob & Josh discuss being parents of young children during lockdown, alternating between episodes with special guests, and shorter, more impromptu chats featuring stories from listeners. It is absolutely hilarious and makes me glad you have to wear masks on a train now, because it covers up how much I'm laughing! It's certainly suitable for people who aren't parents - I'm definitely not listening to it to relate, just for the incredibly amusing anecdotes!
Best Episodes: "Jump starting a tent", "Lucy Beaumont", "Rosie Ramsay" (I've still got many to work through though!)
However, all these will probably be out the window soon since Christmas is only around the corner - Michael Buble's album is dying to be played already! What are you listening to right now?
EG x
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