Just like that it is February! A frenzy of heat, a need for frozen drinks and ice-blocks, foundation slides off, fun times. And of course five things for February; Florence, reads and some blog posts you need to give a peruse. Let's go...*

Florence: Wednesday night was one of music and hope and Florence freakin' Welch. I went to her High As Hope tour whilst it was in Auckland and it was magic. I've seen Florence a few times live now and this was definitely my favourite performance. She turns Spark Arena in to an intimate venue, despite the crowds of thousands who appear to see her. She danced and flitted across her stage, as is trademark for her and encouraged us all to never give up hope and lose sight of what we love. And I cried. And then of course she sung Patricia and spoke about that song and I cried. It's a wonder the glitter eyeshadow didn't come sliding right off really. The long and short of this story? See the artists you love live. It's worth every penny.

Books to pre order: 2019 is looking hella good for books and upcoming titles. Our shelves are blessed. My wallet is cursed. Cursed I tell you. My shelves and mind though are blessed. Okay musings aside, here are the books I think y'all should order and pre-order that are releasing in 2019. Well some of them. *I Used to Be Charming x Eve Babitz, *Daisy Jones & The Six x Taylor Jenkins Reid, *A Love Story for Bewildered Girls x Emma Morgan, *The Sisterhood x Daisy Buchanan.

Living Abroad: My international blogger babe Sandrine is about to move to London, lucky lady. While she gets ready to travel across the world, she interviewed some like-minded ladies who have all lived abroad. As someone who has lived in the same city and town even, most of their life, I find it really fascinating reading about people's experiences moving overseas. If you want to read the series, and you should because there are some great tips in there, head here. 

Seasons of Friendship: Maddy published a brilliant piece this week on surviving the loss of friendships and it really hit home. Whether that be a childhood friend you have drifted from, or one of your first friends you made post-school, losing friends feels kinda shitty. As a sensitive soul I feel like the painful, almost heart achingly awful side of it does affect me more than I like it to. Then again, friendship is so much more valuable in quality, not quantity. Anyway, go read her post here. 

Marie Kondo Your Makeup: Cass shared this brilliant post about decluttering your makeup and it inspired me to get quite ruthless with what was left of my makeup last weekend. It's so satisfying. While I am not totally on board with Marie Kondo and her ways, ahem, her book philosophy, I do appreciate the general gist of it. Side note, I wish you could Marie Kondo memories. Anyway, great post that demands to be read. And have a squiz at Cass's new blog design. It is dreamy.

*I blame Lin-Manuel Miranda for my sudden adoption of this phrase. 

Winter certainly seems to be almost on the backburner here in Auckland. While I love donning coats and any excuse for multiple blankets, I will not miss the cold. Winter isn't all bleak and this season, I've found a bunch of new favourite things. From stationery to fashion, podcasts and writing...

High As Hope: I couldn't not mention this album, Florence and the Machine's fourth. I feel like fourth albums seem to generate a varied response from fans. High As Hope easily feels like Florence's most candid yet. Every song is well considered yet intimate. My favourite, favourite track is still Patricia, written for Patti Smith. It gets me every time. I also love 100 Years and South London Forever but the whole album is a beaut. It's barely left my car stereo, yes I am that level of old school, since its release at the end of June. 

Olivia Laing's Writing: The Lonely City has sat on my shelves for a while, I remember trying to read it years ago and I don't know if I just wasn't patient or appreciative enough but I couldn't get into it. Flash forward a couple of years and I love her work. So far I've finished Crudo, her novel set in 2017 that naturally feels incredibly real yet personal at the same time. I've been thinking how best to articulate why I love Laing's words so much, wish me luck here. I feel like as well as writing incredibly personally, she also has a universality to her words as well. I don't mean that in a, cult book you'll see everyone reading almost ironically on public transport. What I mean is those who do choose to read her work will more than likely notice some glimmers of resonance among the pages. I'm still slowly making my way through The Lonely City and it's more than likely going to come away with me on my travels soon. I also have The Trip To Echo Spring sitting on my shelves as well. 

How To Fail w/ Elizabeth Day: Whenever anyone catches me listening to this podcast they usually give me questioning glances and want to know why. My response usually is to read the description and then realise I am not indulging in a series of bleak listening sessions. How to Fail essentially explores what hasn't gone right for people and how that in turn is cause for celebration and a chance to succeed better. My favourite episodes so far have been with Dolly Alderton, Olivia Laing and Phoebe Waller-Bridge but I highly recommend giving this a listen. 

The navy Moleskine: To know me is to know Moleskines are probably my all-time favourite notebooks. I have been using them for years, ever since discovering I could use my student discount to buy them cheaply from an art supply store here in Auckland. They were my tutorial notebook of choice, travel diaries, to-do style notebooks, heck I even used to use one way back to write out blog posts by hand first. It's only in the last year really that I have started using them again and I recently treated myself to one of their softcover, leather navy gems. My only gripe is NZ isn't the best place to find the variety of colours, styles etc so I am hoping I find some newbies when I am in Melbourne.

father rabbit's card selection: Ok so I rarely venture to the Jervois Rd side of Auckland, which is probably a good thing because I'd buy all the cards from Father Rabbit. So many gems guys! Their in-house range of floral illustrations is beautiful, but they are also home to Hotel Magique. The latter, a brand Liv bought to my attention. They also have gorgeous tags, wrapping paper and beautifully selected gifts. Well worth a visit pre or post-brunching from Dear Jervois. I highly recommend the smashed avo with smoked salmon. Such a good time. 

Loafers: Hi, my name is Sophie and I have this thing with loafers. I blame Alexa Chung for this. Yeah it's naturally all her fault. Ahem, I also blame Gucci for the revival and sudden reappearance of these classic, comfortable, stunning shoes. Anyway, these have been my Winter shoes of choice and I love them. Do I want more? Absolutely. Do I need to get out of my shoe comfort zone? Absolutely. Will I? Stay tuned...

-What have you been loving this Winter?

It's an exciting time for Florence & The Machine fans. Their highly anticipated fourth album, High As Hope is being released eleven days from now. She's starting up a tour and releasing a book next month. In order to get into the mood, I thought I'd compile a list of ways to celebrate the new album in the days and weeks leading up to it. The best kind of celestial fangirling...

Revisit the Old: Start at the very beginning with Lungs, spend the evening dancing around a dimly lit room to Ceremonials and go on a road trip with How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful blasting through the speakers. 

Don some Florence-worthy jewels: One of the easiest ways to channel a bit of Florence Welch magic. These shell earrings give me Ceremonials vibes and also remind me of that time Florence sang in a half-shell on the Chanel runway. I also reckon she'd love a bit of Zoe and Morgan. Their starry earrings and moon pendants especially. 

Read some Between Two Books titles: For those not in the know, Florence has her own book club. Established by dedicated fans, Florence oversees the club and recommends her own books, alongside other women of note. My picks are; Fates & Furies, The Goldfinch, Too Much & Not The Mood and The Great Gatsby. Check out their Instagram for the other titles.

Listen to this cover: Tiny Dancer is already a brilliant song but this reinterpretation takes it to another level. No, I wasn't tearing up when I first heard it, that was just a bit of dust in my eye. *ahem*

Pre-Order Useless Magic: Florence's upcoming book of poetry, lyrics and art is being released at the beginning of July. July 5th I believe. Might I suggest you pre-order it? I think in the US if you do you can get some free postcards with your book. I've ordered my copy through Time Out here in Auckland. Cannot. Wait. 

Read Patti Smith's writing: There's a song on High As Hope entitled Patricia named for Smith. Another great musician and artist. To tide you over, why not give the slim volume of musings on childhood, Woolgathering a perusal? Just Kids her book about her time in New York and Robert Mapplethorpe was a past Between Two Books pick as well. 

Treat Yo'Self: These shirts though. I know Liv has one of these and it looks freakin' rad. I really need the 'Florence' one in my life. Even though it's not tshirt weather. That's what jackets and cardis are for, right? There's also her Liberty collaboration which I've just found.

Read some interviews: This one is a good 'un. The Sunday Times have a great one as well. There's also some gems on YouTube as well. Get hunting.

-How are you celebrating High As Hope?

The end of August signals the end of Winter and the beginnings of Spring. Groundbreaking florals, brighter skies, higher temperatures. Yes please. Before September truly gets underway though it's time to reflect on the favourites from the month that was. I certainly found some beauty gems this month along with some extra favourites. In all honesty this post could easily have been much longer. Today though, here are seven things, from music to a pale-skin friendly bronzer I am smitten with...

Mecca Max Sunlit Skin Bronzer in Light: Do not look too closely at the imagery for this online. It is deceiving and nowhere near as orange so I'm not sure why it was photographed as being warmer. Photography qualms aside, I LOVE this bronzer from the new Mecca Maxima, or Mecca Max if we're being overly technical, range. This light shade gives just the right amount of warmth and a hint of radiance to the complexion. 

Zoeva Buffer Brush: After hearing Anna declaring her love for this brush many a time I had to grab it a few months back when Sephora NZ had a sale going on. It does not disappoint and is so luxe and soft. Despite being denser, it doesn't soak up your foundation like it's going out of fashion and makes blending so fast. I don't know what goes in to the making of Zoeva's brushes, magic possibly but whatever it is, it is wondrous. 

Glamour Magazine (UK Edition): Where has Glamour been all my glossy loving life? After grabbing an issue to take on a mini weekend jaunt back in July, I've kept an eye out for the upcoming issues. Great stories, inspiring women, a column with Dawn O'Porter. You have me sold Glamour goddesses. Their podcast is really worth a listen to as well. 

Zoe and Morgan New Moon Necklace: Last month I turned 25 and this was one of my presents. I've loved Zoe and Morgan for a long time and the fact this was for my 25th birthday makes it feel doubly special. That and I get to feel like Stevie Nicks and Florence Welch whenever I wear it. I don't know, I just like to pretend it has some kind of magic encased inside it. Moreover I love it and wear it most days now. It's like my ritualistic talisman. 

Too Faced Love Light Prismatic Highlighter in Blinded By The Light: This is a thing of absolute beauty, in every sense of the world. I'm not one to apply highlighter with reckless abandon so I can appreciate something like this which does the whole wet look, somewhat subtler glow kind of thing. By all means you can dial up the intensity if that's how you like things, but armed with my duo fibre fan brush and an extremely light hand is how I prefer it to be. I like that there are also deeper colours, rose gold and a golden highlighter so there's something for every skintone. Well played Too Faced. 

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser: I know there's some whisperings about the politics and perhaps problematic nature of this brand online and I am certainly mindful of that. Some is just a bit outlandish, I don't think any beauty brand expects their products to only be used by people who are whatever society's version of flawless is. That'd skew the whole way in which the beauty industry works. Anyway, back to the product at hand. From the first time I used this lightweight, delight of a cleanser I could see why everyone loved it. Aside from being an absolute treat to use, it agrees with my skin and its refreshing, cooling texture goes down well after a long day. 

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful x Florence and the Machine: By no means a new album now, I think it's been three years almost since HBHBHB made its way into my life. Perhaps I am biased because Florence and the Machine are one of my all time favourite bands but it still holds up. Her lyrics are mesmerising, the orchestration is always theatrical and has such a cinematic, escapist quality to it. Queen of Peace is still undoubtedly my favourite song on the record but I love the whole thing. I often listen to it at work actually and have to resist the temptation to sing often. The struggle is sometimes real.

-What have you loved during August?

As someone has just reminded me, next week it is December. I actually told them they were joking, proceeded to look at my calendar and momentarily freaked out. Not gonna lie, I haven't done quite as much Christmas shopping yet as I would have liked (thanks car bills, you legends xox) but anyway, I digress. Today I thought I'd make a lil' wishlist of what I'd love and will probably continue daydreaming about finding under the tree. Nobody would spend $140 on a book for me, let's be real but nonetheless it's fun making wishlists. Here's what I'd love this Christmas. Santa, take note...

Grace: Thirty Years of Fashion at Vogue-This book was out of print for a number of years but it's been re-released. I'm not sure if it's a limited print run but y'know the drill, when you want something bad enough, you chase it. Now the idea of spending $148 on a book does frighten me somewhat but this would be such an amazing gift. Grace Coddington is one of my favourite people in fashion and her editorials are nothing short of mesmerising. 

Meadowlark Dagger Solitaire Ring-I have quite a few pieces of Karen Walker jewelry now so it's time to broaden my NZ jewelry horizons, in my opinion. I've always lusted after Meadowlark rings but never bitten the bullet and purchased one. Maybe this can be my next special occasion buy. It's simple but detailed enough to keep me happy. 

Oh Gosh Cindy 'Leslie Knope' Print-Oh Gosh Cindy is easily one of my favourite stores on Etsy. Her prints are just beautiful. My love for Parks and Recreation+Amy Poehler is well documented around these parts now so the reason this print is here shouldn't require elaboration. 

GlamGlow Poutmud Fizzy Lip Exfoliating Treatment & Wet Lip Balm Duo-This product from GlamGlow is attracting me mainly because I am curious. It's a combination of a lip scrub and then a balm and sounds like the perfect thing for keeping your lips nice and nourished.

Florence Album Cover Faded Vest-This really isn't an essential but I do love these sorts of tops, especially in Summer with some denim cutoffs. Chicness goes out the window in Summer, let's be real. Also, it's Florence freaking Welch. No explanation needed..

Kate Spade Glitter Bug Stacy Wallet-My current wallet is actually broken and I'm kinda over buying cheap wallets that fall apart so I'm ready to invest in one that's built to last. Kate Spade is now available in a shop here in Auckland and I've been eyeing up her wallets for the longest time. Psst, Santa....

-What's on your Christmas wishlist this year?

Only If For A Night is the first track of Florence + the Machine's second album, Ceremonials. It was written after a dream Florence had in which she was visited by her Grandmother. She was told to 'concentrate' which, coming from a ghost was 'strange & so surreal.' 

This is one of my favourite songs off her recent album. There's something very mystifying & enchanting about it. It also features one of my favourite lyrics; The grass was so green against my new clothes. And I did cartwheels in your honour, dancing on tiptoes. My own secret ceremonials.

-Gif via Tumblr.