What I Read | February

Yep, it's that time again to share with you what I read in the last month!

At the end of last month when I was in London I finished the book that I was reading, Lovie, Rosie (full review here) so while in Westfield I decided to take a quick trip into WHSmith to search for a new one. The process of buying a book really varies for me, sometimes I endlessly research a certain genre that I'm interested in or like this time or else I just go in and buy a book that catches my eye. While in WHSmith I was obviously feeling the crime/ mystery genre that day as I picked up two books from that genre. I am very interested to see what works for you in terms of buying books, do you prefer going into a shop and buying the one with the most visually appealing cover or do you do plenty of research and plan your purchases? I ask you this because personally, I love finding little gems that nobody else has read but other times it can turn into a bit of a flop and a waste of time.

Anyway, the book that I read this month was 'Elizabeth is Missing' by Emma Healey. As I am truly awful at describing novels, I will leave you with this quite detailed synopsis from GoodReads!

"In this darkly riveting debut novel—a sophisticated psychological mystery that is also a heartbreakingly honest meditation on memory, identity, and aging—an elderly woman descending into dementia embarks on a desperate quest to find the best friend she believes has disappeared, and her search for the truth will go back decades and have shattering consequences.

But no one will listen to Maud—not her frustrated daughter, Helen, not her caretakers, not the police, and especially not Elizabeth's mercurial son, Peter. Armed with handwritten notes she leaves for herself and an overwhelming feeling that Elizabeth needs her help, Maud resolves to discover the truth and save her beloved friend.

This singular obsession forms a cornerstone of Maud's rapidly dissolving present. But the clues she discovers seem only to lead her deeper into her past, to another unsolved disappearance: her sister, Sukey, who vanished shortly after World War II.

As vivid memories of a tragedy that occurred more fifty years ago come flooding back, Maud discovers new momentum in her search for her friend. Could the mystery of Sukey's disappearance hold the key to finding Elizabeth?"

So what did I like about the book?

Although I didn't fall in love with the characters, I really felt a connection to Maud, the elderly lady and the novel's main character. The novel truly highlights the devastating illness that is dementia and her vulnerability as nobody takes her seriously in her everyday life.

I thought had a very unique point of view. As it was written through Maud's eyes, it was nothing like I had ever read before as her forgetfulness was apparent which made it very interesting.

I liked the way the novel kept switching from present day when Elizabeth is missing, to back when Maud was a teenager, when Sukey was missing. 

The author was very descriptive and brought some of the images and scenarios in the novel to life very effectively.

What I didn't like about the book..

I wasn't drawn to it, I didn't feel the need to get stuck into this book on my train journey home.

I thought it dragged a bit, although necessary, it got very repetitive as Maud forgot certain things and it would have to be repeated. 

I found that it wasn't a very good mystery novel, although it claims to be the main theme I found the plot quite obvious and predictable.

Even though the good seems to overwrite the bad here, I still wasn't very impressed with this book. In my opinion, it was just an ok read that I will probably forget about in years to come. Read it if you have an interest in the illness dementia but other than that, you can find a much better read!

I'm always looking for book recommendations so please tell me your favourites in the comments below..


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My Early Morning Makeup

I am in no way a morning person. I tend to cling to my duvet for as long as I can and then have a massive rush to get ready in 15 minutes.. Thanks to 9am lectures I have figured out this quick and easy makeup for that morning rush so that I look a bit more put together walking out the door.

After moisturising, I grab my Tarte Amazonian clay full coverage airbrush foundation and rub it in circular motions all over my face with the Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation Brush. As it is a powder foundation, it gives me enough coverage to cover any redness and even out my skin tone in record time, it literally takes less than two minutes! Moving onto concealer I use my MAC Pro Longwear Concealer to cover up my dark circles, a product I will always repurchase as it has such high coverage and doesn't crease.

For brows I use my Soap and Glory Brow Archery, again nothing new but I use the pencil side to fill in any sparse areas of my eyebrows. For eyes, one step that I never miss is curling my eyelashes as it makes me look much more awake than I actually am.. For this I just use one from Primark but I really want to get my hands on the Shu Uemura eyelash curler as apparently it is a huge game changer. I then use my  L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara as it makes my eyelashes look super long.

So this is generally all I have time to do in terms of makeup when rushing around in the mornings, what are your go to makeup items when you're in a rush?!


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FOTD | Berry Lips and Olive Green Eyes

BASE

To prime, I used my all time favourite Professional by Benefit, I tend to have quite visible pores but this thankfully makes them disappear. On top I used the foundation of the moment, the Nars Sheer Glow (full review here) as I was going for quite a dewy, medium coverage. I applied it with the Tarte Buffer Airbrush Finish Foundation brush, it is so dense so it really works the foundation into the skin as I find the Sheer Glow takes quite a while to blend. To conceal my awful under eye circles, I used the Collection Lasting Perfecting concealer in light. It does its best to cover them but I still have yet to master how to get them fully covered up. To set everything I put the Rimmel Stay Matte on my T zone and under my eyes. If anyone has any powder recommendations please let me know, I have never branched out and as my Stay Matte is coming to an end I would love to try something new! For brows I used my Soap and Glory Brow Archery as I do everyday.

CHEEKS

As I have been wearing fake tan the last few days, I needed to add that bit of warmth to my face with my favourite bronzer from the Sleek Contour Kit. I applied it on my temples, down the side of my face and on my neck with a big fluffy brush. To contour, I used the same bronzer with possibly my most exciting purchase of the month, the Real Techniques 301 Flat Contour Brush! It is part of the Bold Metals Collection so it's a new release and from the first time I saw it I couldn't wait to buy it. It was my first time ever using it, but it fit perfectly into the hollows of my cheeks and I am so glad I took the plunge and bought it. As we move swiftly onto blush I have a confession, I'm really not that into blush. I have a total of two blushes and I only use one of them, which is Peachtwist by MAC so I am in desperate need of blush recommendations so please leave your favourites below! Moving on to highlighter, I used my all time favourite highlighter, the MSF in Soft and Gentle by MAC.

EYES

From reading this segment it is very apparent that I have a thing for MAC eye products, eyeshadows in particular! To prime my eyes I used the MAC paint pot in Bare Study which is a shimmery, champagne colour. I always use this to prime my eyes as it is really build-able and when I use it I find my eyeshadow stays put a lot longer. Over that I used the colour Retro Speck as it is a very similar colour. Through my crease I put my favourite colour at the moment, Sumptuous Olive. It is a beautiful olive green colour which can look bronze with a green tint when applied. This is a really easy way to incorporate more colour into your eyeshadow and as it is such a versatile shade, it can be worked into so many looks. To define my eyes a bit more I applied Coquette, a matte, cool toned, medium brown shade and added some Sumptuous Olive underneath my eye. For eyeliner, I put a thin line of the L'Oreal Superliner on my upper lash line with the L'Oreal Telescopic mascara on my eyelashes. 

LIPS

Possibly my favourite product from this whole look, I wore the Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 107. If you read my recent post about all of the drugstore items I can't live without you will have seen that this got a mention. As you can see it is a gorgeous berry shade and it such good quality for the price.

I hope you enjoyed this FOTD and don't forget to leave some of your recommendations below!

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Essie - Chinchilly

When it comes to nail varnish, I'm always drawn to Essie. With sleek packaging, huge range of colours and great formulation- what's not to like?

For Christmas I received the colour Chinchilly in a set with Bahama Mama from Lizzy. In the post about Bahama Mama I admitted that I am not drawn to nail varnish as much as other beauty products but I think it is because when I get a good one, I stick to it!

Over the last few weeks I have been loving this colour, I've hardly taken it off. It is a gorgeous grey colour with slight purple undertones and two coats makes it completely opaque. I find that this goes with pretty much everything I'm wearing and it also matches up with the very gloomy weather we have been having. 

Similarly to other Essie nail varnishes, I get about 4 days out of this colour without it chipping. 

What is your favourite Essie nail varnish?

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February Wish List

So it is that time again when I share with you all of the things on my current wish list. Recently I have given myself the challenge of going on a spending ban.. yep you heard me right. Over the last few weeks I have spent way too much money and to be honest, I don't even see it go until I'm looking at my bank balance at the end of the week. For my spending ban I am not allowing myself to buy any clothes, makeup (or anything related to makeup *cough cough* Muji drawers), and I'm even going to try cut out takeaways. If I have enough will power, this will last until my birthday at the end of March and hopefully then I will be able to purchase all of these wonderful things that I'm about to share with you all.. Lets get started!

Yellow Plastic Mac - Topshop
I know I know this is very.. out there but I absolutely love it! I saw this jacket for the first time back in London a few weeks ago and I have been eyeing it up ever since. Lets be honest, it's perfect for Irish weather and if I end up going to any festivals during the summer, it's just too cute.

Box Pleat Bikini - Topshop
From a jacket appropriate for downpours to a bikini, such a contrast but I can't help myself get so excited for summer when I see all of the bikinis coming into the shops. Even though I don't have a holiday booked, I can be prepared just in case right?

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Red Carpet Red
As a lover of the Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in Glastonberry (post about it here) I really want to try more shades from the range. Although pricey, these lipsticks have such good lasting power. Ever since losing my Russian Red lipstick I have wanted to repurchase it however recently I have been drawn to this lipstick and Love Liberty as they both look amazing on Lily Pebbles!

Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Ive heard so many great reviews about this book and I really want to see what all of the hype is about.

Kate Spade 'One in a Million' Initial Pendant Necklace
Possibly at the top of my wish list, I have been eyeing this necklace up for months! I was initially looking for a simple gold necklace that I can wear everyday and I think this is the one.

Zoeva Luxe Complete Set
Ah makeup brushes, a beauty lovers dream! I have been eyeing this set up for months but haven't yet got around to buying it. I have yet to try Zoeva brushes but I have yet to hear a bad review so I can't wait to buy these and try them out.

Birkenstock Arizona Two Strap Sandal
Along with the Kate Spade necklace, these are possibly at the top of my wish list.. Such an ugly shoe but I absolutely love them! I think if styled right they can be really nice for the summer months.

Mahogany Teakwood Candle - Bath and Body Works
Candles don't come better than this.. I picked it up when I was in America last summer and when it ran out I was devastated (ok slight over exaggeration) and I have held back purchasing it for some reason because I find it quite difficult to justify the price. If you love the smell of Abercrombie, you'll love this candle because when you're burning it, it smells like you just walked into the shop.. Pure heaven!

Although not featured above, I have been dying to try out some Missguided activewear. As I am running the Womens Mini Marathon in June, I think some new work out clothes would help me along with my training and motivate me a bit more. I really like the Active Mesh Panel Gym Leggings in Grey along with the Active Cross Back Sports Bra in Coral.

I hope you have enjoyed this wish list post and thanks for reading!


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