Time for a new kind of regular post!! I wanted to find more monthly posts to fit into a regular-ish blogging schedule so here's 'New In', the update on all the new items in stores which I have been lusting after! So... here are all the things I am lusting after at the moment!

Disclaimer: all affiliate links marked with a '*' for full disclosure (ya girl is a bit broke)

ASOS - PrettyLittleThing Plus wrap mini dress in white spot print*


Pretty Little Thing have one of my fave plus size ranges out there and this dress is super cute! It's definitely on my payday list as I always go for a size 16 in dresses! Love a spot print!

ASOS - Missguided distressed boyfriend jeans in light wash blue*


On the lookout for some new distressed jeans and these fit the bill perfectly! I'm usually a black jeans kinda gal so these will be a nice and welcome change in my spring wardrobe!

ASOS - Noisy May 'pardon my french' t-shirt*

It's about time I made another makeup post on here! I thought I would share all the products I have been loving lately as I have been getting back into putting makeup on and feeling fabulous! I hope that you enjoy reading these little recommendations!

Base

Revolution Conceal and Define Foundation & Concealer


For me, these were the ultimate makeup discoveries of the year! I finally found a shade range with tones pale enough for my face! I long suffered the eternal struggle of buying the lightest shade of a foundation I wanted to try, putting it on my face and it not even remotely matching my skin tone. These are the only foundation and concealer products which I have been using for many months now and I don't see myself changing up my base routine any time soon! The coverage level is EVERYTHING too! They make my skin look flawless, even when it's blotchy and breaking out beneath the makeup in those stressful times!

You can buy the foundation from Superdrug HERE, Beauty Bay HERE
You can buy the concealer from Superdrug HERE, Beauty Bay HERE

Cheeks

Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette Volume 2


I managed to swipe this palette up in TK Maxx for an absolute bargain and I have been using it non-stop since! Skylight is the perfect highlight shade for my complexion and I use it to highlight my cheekbones, brow bone and the inner corner of my eyeshadow looks! It's very pigmented and leaves me looking lovely and glowy! Plus, the product itself smells amazing and the packaging is beautiful since it's a part of the Rainforest of the Sea collection!

You can buy the palette from Tarte HERE

Sleek Blush in Antique and Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light


You know what? My mum was right! I needed to wear more blush! I was so scared of blush since I figured it would show up so bright on my pale skin, so I was so happy when I found a blush that isn't a shade of pink or peach! This browny blush matches my everyday makeup so nicely and I love how it looks! Another product I struggled to find which wouldn't overpower my face was a good contouring powder. This Sleek one is light enough to not look OTT but still dark enough to give me a well-defined contour!

You can buy the blush from Boots HERE
You can buy the contour kit from Boots HERE

Eyes

Nip + Fab Eyeshadow Palette 02 - Fired Up


Rusty shades have been an absolute must and this palette has been one of my best makeup purchases over the whole of 2018, that's how much I get my use out of it! It's packed with 12 beautiful buildable blendable shades straight out of my dreams! When I visited home for a few weeks, this was the only palette I felt the need to take! It's just so versatile for both every day and special occasions and I love it so much!

You can buy this palette from Lookfantastic (sale) HERE, Superdrug (sale) HERE and ASOS HERE

Lips

Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Allegedly and Leo


The lighting is making these shades look the same but I SWEAR Leo is darker than Allegedly! Allegedly is a beautiful terracotta brown lipstick which has been my perfect everyday shade! I had really wanted a lovely orange-toned brown lipstick and this one is perfect. Leo shows up a bit darker on my lips and therefore has been my go-to evening lipstick for cocktail nights! As always with Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipsticks, the staying power of these is insane! I will wear Allegedly all day without a single retouch and it will still look perfect! I have yet to find a lipstick formula which I love more than these and I'm happy that my little collection is growing!

You can buy Allegedly on Beauty Bay HERE
You can buy Leo on Beauty Bay HERE

What products have you been loving lately? Any recommendations for makeup which I should try? x

What's the best way to get into the spooky spirit of the best month of the year? How about some spooky reads? I love a good scary/dark book and I have accumulated some favourites over the years! I figured I would share these with you, along with the blurb, a quick review and my favourite quote from each book!

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell

Newly married, newly widowed Elsie is sent to see out her pregnancy at her late husband's crumbling country estate, The Bridge. With her new servants resentful and the local villagers actively hostile, Elsie only has her husband's awkward cousin for company. Or so she thinks, For inside her new home lies a mysterious wooden figure - a Silent Companion - that bears an unsettling resemblance to Elsie herself...

I hadn't read a full novel for quite a while when I picked this up, and I didn't put it down until the early hours when I had finished it. It's super atmospheric and gothic, and definitely a concept different to any other spooky novel I've read before. Wooden figures? How could they possibly be scary? It's definitely not your typical ghost story! You need to read this, it's superb! Its ending was insanely clever too and definitely shocked me!

Fave quote: "We are afraid of the things inside us - be they memories, sickness or sinful urges."

Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin

Rosemary Woodhouse and her struggling actor husband Guy move into the Bramford, an old New York City apartment building with an ominous reputation and only elderly residents. Neighbours Roman and Minnie Castavet soon come nosing around to welcome them and, despite Rosemary's reservations about their eccentricity and the weird noises she keeps hearing, her husband starts spending time with them. Shortly after Guy lands a plum Broadway role, Rosemary becomes pregnant and the Castavets start taking a special interest in her welfare. As the sickened Rosemary becomes increasingly isolated, she begins to suspect that the Castavet's circle is not what it seems.

This was a fairly quick read and, since I once again couldn't put the book down, I finished it in just under a day. It's a classic and this is definitely for a reason! It's purely chilling and a horrifying concept! The skilled writing places you straight into Rosemary's shoes and you really feel all the confusion, frustration and horror with her.

Fave quote: “Like so many unhappinesses, this one had begun with silence in the place of honest open talk.” 

The Woman In Black by Susan Hill

Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor, is summoned to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow, the sole inhabitant of Eel Marsh House. The house stands at the end of a causeway, wreathed in fog and mystery, but it is not until he glimpses a wasted young woman, dressed all in black, at the funeral, that a creeping sense of unease begins to take hold, a feeling deepened by the reluctance of the locals to talk of the woman in black – and her terrible purpose.

If you think that you don't need to read this because you have seen the brilliant film, you still do! The book differs from the film in many aspects and is definitely worth a read! It is chilling, atmospheric and such a quick read! The setting itself, in a house blocked off from the rest of the world tidally, is isolating and a perfect place for such a chilling ghost story to take place.

Fave quote: "But what was 'real'? At that moment I began to doubt my own reality.” 

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

A very young woman's first job: governess for two weirdly beautiful, strangely distant, oddly silent children, Miles and Flora, at a forlorn estate...An estate haunted by a beckoning evil. Half-seen figures who glare from dark towers and dusty windows- silent, foul phantoms who, day by day, night by night, come closer, ever closer. With growing horror, the helpless governess realizes the fiendish creatures want the children, seeking to corrupt their bodies, possess their minds, own their souls... But worse-much worse- the governess discovers that Miles and Flora have no terror of the lurking evil. For they want the walking dead as badly as the dead want them.

This is a book which has stuck with me from my high school English class days. I found it to be the most gripping book we had the opportunity to study and I adored working through the chapters. I have since reread it and found it just as intriguing and dark as the first time I read it years ago! While it is certainly not my favourite on this list, it is a good short story to get you into the mood for Halloween!

Fave quote: “Of course I was under the spell, and the wonderful part is that, even at the time, I perfectly knew I was.” 

Night Shift by Stephen King

From the depths of darkness, where hideous rats defend their empire, to dizzying heights, where a beautiful girl hangs by a hair above a hellish fate, this chilling collection of twenty short stories will plunge readers into the subterranean labyrinth of the most spine-tingling, eerie imagination of our time.

Of course, I'm mentioning Stephen King in this list! How could I not? This is the best horror story anthology I have ever read and perhaps my favourite book on this list. The first time I read it, back when I was a high school teen, I had to put the book down and switch on something a bit more uplifting. It freaked me out, the way Stephen King has a tendency to do. This collection of short stories is not one to read after dark, but is definitely worth a read when you feel up to it!

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

An intriguing combination of fantasy thriller and moral allegory, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde depicts the gripping struggle of two opposing personalities — one essentially good, the other evil — for the soul of one man. Its tingling suspense and intelligent and sensitive portrayal of man's dual nature reveals Stevenson as a writer of great skill and originality, whose power to terrify and move us remains, over a century later, undiminished.

Here's another one I read in high school! We were able to pick our own books to read in our library sessions (my favourite part of the week) and this was my first choice! I can't say much about this other than that it is so well crafted that the fact that we pretty much all know the shocking twist of the story does not make it any less enjoyable to read!

Fave quote: “If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also.”

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris

A second family has been massacred by the terrifying serial killer the press has christened "The Tooth Fairy." Special Agent Jack Crawford turns to the one man who can help restart a failed investigation: Will Graham. Graham is the greatest profiler the FBI ever had, but the physical and mental scars of capturing Hannibal Lecter have caused Graham to go into early retirement. Now, Graham must turn to Lecter for help.

Hannibal Lecter is one of literature and films' most iconic villains for a reason! This book introduced Lecter to the world and is a must-read for fans of TV's Hannibal or the film The Silence of the Lambs! Or, better yet, if you're not familiar with the character then give this a read and get introduced to one of the evilest characters ever dreamt up!

Fave quote: "He viewed his own mentality as grotesque but useful, like a chair made of antlers. There was nothing he could do about it.” 

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Obsessed with discovering the cause of generation and life and bestowing animation upon lifeless matter, Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts but; upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein.

Mary Shelley was eighteen when she started writing Frankenstein. EIGHTEEN! People either love this book or hate it, and I love it. We all know of Frankenstein's monster, and the definitive novel about the creature is so disturbing and dark that it singlehandedly warrants the fame of the iconic creature. Not for the faint-hearted, but definitely one to read!

Fave quote: “I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous.” 

What is your favourite spooky read?x

Photo by Melanie Pongratz on Unsplash

It's been a hot minute since I last spoke about music on this blog so I figured I would share some of my favourite playlists at the moment! These are the songs which I've had on loop for the past few weeks and which I tend to listen to at this time of year. I hope that you can pick out some new faves and I would love it if you shared what music you have been listening to lately! I am always on the lookout for a new favourite song!

Hydref

My main autumn playlist! This one is full of all those songs that make me feel good as the nights draw in early and the mornings are dark. I tend to sing along to these songs in the shower first thing in the morning and keep them playing as I get ready to start my day off.

• You're Right by Morning Bear
• Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac
• Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks
• Witchy Woman by Eagles
• House of the Rising Sun by Lauren O'Connell
• Spellbound by Siouxie and the Banshees
• Lavender Moon by Haroula Rose
• Born To Die by Lana Del Rey
• Ruins by First Aid Kit
• Kind of Woman by Stevie Nicks
• Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac
• Which Witch by Florence + The Machine
• Me And The Devil by Soap&Skin
• We're Alive! by Keith Johns
• 1000 by Brother
• Sisters of the Moon by Fleetwood Mac
• Dark Secret by Matthew Sweet
• People Are Strange by The Doors
• Lullaby by The Cure
• I See Fire by Ed Sheeran
• Cedar Lane by First Aid Kit
• Marz by John Grant

Orange Coloured Sky

I'm on an old-timey jazzy kick at the moment! It gives me calm and almost-Christmas vibes. Plus, all these songs are so fun to sing along to and I am sure I have been irritating my flatmate with my wailing along to this playlist! This is, in fact, probably the playlist I have been listening to the most this month!

• Orange Coloured Sky by Nat King Cole
• We'll Meet Again by The Ink Spots
• Someone To Watch Over Me by Ella Fitzgerald
• Dream A Little Dream of Me by Doris Day
• Way Back Home by Bob Crosby & The Bob Cats
• Maybe by The Ink Spots
• Blue Moon by Frank Sinatra
• Love Me As Though There Were No Tomorrow by Nat King Cole
• Come Fly With Me by Frank Sinatra
• A Kiss To Build A Dream On by Louis Armstrong
• Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall by Ella Fitzgerald & The Ink Spots
• La vie en rose by Louis Armstrong
• I've Got You Under My Skin by Frank Sinatra
• Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
• Cheek To Cheek by Ella Fitzgerald
• Crazy He Calls Me by Billie Holiday
• Bidin' My Time by Julie London

Spook

This is the Halloween playlist I listen to every October! It's full of songs from films I watch every October and generally songs with a spooky theme! I dig this playlist out all year round but it just feels right listening to it in October!

• People Are Strange by The Doors
• Lullaby by The Cure
• Bang Bang - My Baby Shot Me Down by Nancy Sinatra
• Red Right Hand by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
• Cry Little Sister by G Tom Mac
• It Will Come Back by Hozier
• Sympathy For The Devil by The Rolling Stones
• Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival
• I Put A Spell On You by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
• The Boogie Monster by Gnarls Barkley
• (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
• Over At The Frankenstein Place from The Rocky Horror Picture Show
• Black Magic Woman by Fleetwood Mac
• Superstition by Stevie Wonder
• (Ghost) Riders In The Sky by Johnny Cash
• I Never Told You What I Do For A Living by My Chemical Romance
• Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
• The Killing Moon by Echo & the Bunnymen
• Thriller by Michael Jackson
• This Is Halloween from The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by Marilyn Manson

Photo by Edu Grande on Unsplash

So music has always been a massive part of my life. Most of my memories are paired with songs or albums which I was listening to at the time. When I think about my childhood in Oxford, I think about Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, The Killers and Jamiroquai. When I think of high school, I think of Black Veil Brides, Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold and Marilyn Manson. When I think of college, I think of The Front Bottoms and French jazz music.

I've always loved playing music too. I used to play the flute and take singing lessons in high school. When I was a toddler, I used to stand on a chair and play my grandad's keyboard. When I started to get into Metallica, I begged my parents for a guitar because Kirk Hammett made playing it look so easy!

These are the 10 albums I have picked out which have stuck with me up until now. Some, I found pretty recently and some have been strong favourites for years! Each means a lot to me! Let me know what your favourite albums are. I'm always looking for new music to listen to!

Adore - The Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins are one of my all-time favourite bands. My parents listen to them and I followed suit back when I purchased this album in high school, my first album of theirs. This album is so calm and almost eerie. I adore Billy Corgan's voice. I can't describe it, it's just so beautiful and different. I like to listen to this calming album when I'm reading. It blurs into the background so nicely.

Favourite track: Perfect

Ten - Pearl Jam

Another one I found through my mum. She has always been a fan of this album and I shocked her one day when Jeremy came on the radio and I sang along. I had heard it on Kerrang a few days before but didn't catch the band name. She proceeded to tell me about Pearl Jam and although I love their other music, their debut album will always be my favourite. When I moved to Manchester for university, I would listen to Pearl Jam Unplugged on my iPod on my walk to work. It is still played non-stop and I will never tire of the album, both normal and unplugged.

Favourite track: Black

Tapestry - Carole King

Just before I started uni for the first time, I started to watch Gilmore Girls. It helped me through freshers when I felt super homesick and alone. I would curl up on my bed in my student accommodation and binge watch Gilmore Girls every evening. It was my little comfort. While in this space of time, I found out who sang the theme song and decided to find more of her music. I listened to Tapestry by Carole King non-stop on Spotify for a week before buying the vinyl. To this day, it is my most played record and it's like a musical comfort blanket for me. I can't be sad when listening to this album.

Favourite track: So Far Away

Atlas: Space - Sleeping At Last

A few summers ago, I spent a lot of time listening to character-themed playlists on 8tracks. My favourite character to search for at the time was Grantaire from Les Miserables. On quite a few Les Miserables themed playlists, Sleeping At Last songs were included. Every time I came across one, I would be struck by how beautiful this music really is. Their entire Atlas collection of music is beautiful, but I have always felt drawn to the Atlas: Space collection. Each song is named after a planet and each is incredibly beautiful and emotional.

Favourite track: Earth

Controversy - Prince

Ah, Prince. My ultimate fave. My favourite album by Prince changes all the time and I am sure that if I were to write this post in about a month, I would choose another album. Perhaps Purple Rain or Parade. At the moment, Controversy is the Prince album which I listen to most. Either that or I just put on the This Is: Prince playlist by Spotify. I just generally love his music and I wish that I could have seen him perform live.

Favourite track: Controversy

Talon of the Hawk - The Front Bottoms

In college, I discovered one of my favourite bands through my friends. The Front Bottoms. I was so lucky to see them on tour just before my 19th birthday with a really good friend. To this day, it is still my favourite gig I have ever gone to. Their music just has a way to get me all happy and excited. I love all of their albums, but these days I just tend to really gravitate towards Talon of the Hawk.

Favourite track: Peach

Black Panther (Soundtrack) - Kendrick Lamar

Recently, I haven't been able to get enough of listening to the Black Panther soundtrack. Black Panther is my favourite Marvel film and I was lucky enough to see it three times in the cinema. The soundtrack really pulls it together and I love it so much! It's perfect to listen to on my walk to uni in the morning to really get me hyped up for the day ahead!

Favourite track: Opps

The Pale Emperor - Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson is another artist who I cannot get enough of. I tend to listen to all of the albums on shuffle, but when choosing which to put on this list, I felt drawn to The Pale Emperor. It's easier listening which is what I have needed recently. Background music when I need to focus on my work.

Favourite track: Third Day of a Seven Day Binge

Ride the Lightning - Metallica

Metallica has been my favourite band on-and-off for years and I always seem to come back to them. They bring energy and power when I need to get up and go and are great to listen to when exercising or walking somewhere. In high school, I bought Guitar Hero Metallica and ended up actually getting an actual guitar because I wanted to play like Kirk Hammett. Unfortunately, I'm not even close to being that good at guitar, and I still envy Hammett to this day.

Favourite track: For Whom the Bell Tolls

Bookends - Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel bring back so many memories. In my primary school choir, we used to sing Bridge Over Troubled Water. I would listen to it time and time again. Bookends was the first full album I listened to by them and I have worshipped it since. My dad loves Simon and Garfunkel, and while I sometimes prefer Paul Simon's solo work, they do hold a very special place in my heart.

Favourite track: America

Do you like any of the albums on this list? What are your favourite albums? I would love to know! x