Why hello, Happy Tuesday and happy (almost) end of the year. So crazy to be typing that, yet alone thinking it. Today we have November's favourites. On the beauty side things there's a few tried and tested loves, plus of course some music and literature in the mix as well.

Patti Smith prose: Meditations on life, art, music, literature, artists and the smaller things. All so beautifully compiled and woven together like a tapestry by Patti Smith. Earlier in the month I read and underlined M Train to pieces and I am now doing the same with Just Kids, though the latter is a reread. I lovelovelove Patti's writing immensely. She's currently working on a new book too. Can I get an amen?

Coco Mademoiselle Intense: Honestly, I'm too much of a fragrance flitter to really declare one scent a signature but Coco Mademoiselle x Chanel has been my ride-or-die for a while now. Yes it's luxe but it lasts an age. My original bottle from three Christmases ago is still going strong. And now I have this lil' lovely. Well actually I've had it for most of the year but seemed to have neglected to sing its praises. Think of Mademoiselle Intense as a stronger version of the original. It packs more of a punch but not in an overpowering way. If anything it lingers a lot longer on the skin which is fine by me. If you're a fan of the original but want something with a bit more oomph, I highly recommend this.

MAC Tan Pigment: This. Pigment. Though. I am so glad I finally caved and treated myself to this earlier in the year. I'd literally been lusting after it for years and it's easily one of my favourite beauty products of 2018. It's a soft, rose-gold pigment with a slight metallic but sparkly finish. You can use it wet or dry, I apply it wet to amp up the colour more. It pairs so beautifully with shimmers but also more sepia and bronze-y toned shadows. I love using it to layer as it really adds another level to eyeshadow looks and always looks stunning. MAC Pigments are one of those products you'll have for years and because you need hardly any per application, they last a lifetime. If you're looking for a cute Secret Santa gift for a makeup-lover, I highly rate this. 

Bioderma: Over the years I've tried many a micellar water but none of them compare to the cult classic. In my opinion at least. Now we can finally get it in New Zealand too, from Chemist Warehouse. Again, can I get an amen? I've even bought a bottle of this for my friend's advent calendar to get her hooked as well. It doesn't have that tacky feel, no scent and just removes makeup like nobody's business. It's a bit more expensive than the micellars lining the supermarkets but I honestly think it's worth every cent. 

Queen: Ever since seeing Bohemian Rhapsody, twice, Queen has been on high rotation on my playlists. I actually have the greatest hits compilation in my car right now. I'm terrible at reviewing music but I love it and it brings back nostalgic memories of driving to school. It seemed to be in the family car stereo for a while there and I just remember thinking their music was so clever and brilliant. I still think it's brilliant. I mean Bohemian Rhapsody is an anthem, don't @ me.

-What did you love during November?

Another month, another round of beauty+lifestyle bits I've been loving. I feel like May has gone 'blink and you'll miss it' fast. It's been mostly good but a lil' not so good. Anyway... During May I've found a few new beauty loves, rediscovered some things from times past and finally read a book I'd avoided for years. May Favourites, here's lookin' at you. 

Eyeko 'Eye Do' Eyeliner: I used to use this eyeliner back in the day, after I purchased it in a set with the Eye Do Mascara, designed in collaboration with Alexa Chung. It's still alive and well and thankfully so because it's a bloomin' good liner. Easy to use, blacker than black, budge proof. There's not much more to it than that really. 

The Body Shop Adriatic Peony Bath & Shower Cream*: Peonies are some of my favourite flowers so I was probably bound to love this. Regardless, I feel like The Body Shop do bath+shower products well. Their shelf-lives are reasonable for starter. This one is available in a travel-friendly size too. Always a bonus. This is essentially an in-shower body moisturiser. It does have a slight lather as well and the scent is divine. It's not overpowering and is perhaps only detectable to the wearer post-spritz but I don't mind that in the slightest. 

How To Build A Girl** x Caitlin Moran: So I admittedly held off on reading this book for ages. By ages, I mean years. I think I had it in my head that Moran's fiction wouldn't live up to the greatness of her essays. A very misguided prediction. Safe to say I loved this 'semi-autobiographical' novel about Johanna Morrigan, an aspiring music journalist who dreams of seeing her name in print and a life of notoriety in London. She gets that and more, although perhaps at a cost. Such is the nature of being young and making mistakes. This book is hilarious, moving and captivating. Caitlin's fiction didn't disappoint me. I cannot wait to read How To Be Famous, released in July. 

MAC Extended Play Mascara: So I finally grabbed this after hearing Sam sing its praises in her videos for years. Worth the hype and it looks amazing layered up and worn with curled lashes. I know mascara's such a subjective thing but I believe this is one of MAC's bestsellers so that probably speaks volumes on its own. I think I might have found my dream mascaras in the last two months. It's only taken me a few years. 

Moleskine Notebooks: Way back in the Uni days, these were my notebook of choice. I had them in varying sizes and colours. Well I've gone back to these ones and they are so good. I use them for journalling, keeping to-do lists, noting down podcast recommendations and of course the not so exciting grocery shopping lists. I love that they're well-made, relatively inexpensive and have a back pocket for stowing away random scraps of paper and the like. 

Coco Mademoiselle Intense: The original Coco Mademoiselle is a staple in my perfume lineup, see this post for evidence. So when I spritzed and had the new incarnation sweep me off my metaphorical feet, I needed it. Think of this as a more longer lasting, powerful version of the original. It's my new MVP perfume.

-What have you liked during May?

*PR Sample

**Review Copy