November is one of my favourite times of the year. Seasonally, the peonies are out in full force-although let's not talk about my unsuccessful bunch and the sky+water are bedecked in shades of blue. That and blueberries+strawberries make a reappearance. This month beauty-wise I've sticked to tried+true staples and haven't really switched it up a whole lot. We also have some non-beauty favourites in there too just to balance it all out. Here's what has taken my fancy this month...

Chanel Ombre Premiere in Undertone: That trip I took to the Chanel boutique on a whim proved successful. I love this cream shadow and find myself reaching for it most days. It just gives the lids a little something-something if you're time pressed as I am most mornings when it comes to makeup. I like how it can be worn underneath other colours without interfering with them too much as well. 

Glossier Balm Dotcom: This lives in my bag 24/7, I love it that much. As a primer for lipstick, on its own in place of lipstick (are you sensing a theme here with my lack of makeup?), even as an eye gloss. 

Girl Interrupted x Susanna Kaysen: This book was recommended on a Buzzfeed post of books about mental health and because I've been wanting to see the movie, I decided to give it a read first. In it Kaysen recounts her experience with mental health at eighteen and entering an institution in the late sixties. It's intense at times but it's beautifully written. I found the reports from her therapists that are scattered throughout particularly fascinating as well. 

NARS Love Triangle: One of the products from the Man Ray collaboration are these duo blush+lipstick sets from NARS. I grabbed the set with the Deep Throat blush and Barbara lipstick. They're both beautiful pinky nudes, incredibly wearable and perfect for everyday wear. I love the mini size too-ideal for the overpacked handbag *ahem, talking about myself here, ahem*. 

Stevie Nicks: Thanks to the babe that is Lucie, I got to see Stevie last Monday night and it was amazing. She was otherworldly, brilliant and everything I expected her to be. Honestly I feel so grateful I was able to see her and of course hear her stories about her music, songs and the people in her life. The gold dust woman certainly shone and I'll be listening to her music on repeat for a while yet. 

Lonely Lingerie: I freakin' love Lonely and their campaigns, message and of course range of lacy, luxe, exquisite lingerie. At the beginning of the month I treated myself to a couple of new bras and they're amazing. Comfortable, gorgeously designed. I'm sorry if this is an overshare but y'know when you find something great you just have to discuss it? This is one of those times. Also props to the Newmarket store because I entered intimidated and left feeling confident and empowered af. 

-What have you loved during November?

Hello, long (ish) time no see. Today I have a look inside my book mail from August for you. Again, this is just the highlights but if their synopses and advance praise are anything to go by, they will not disappoint...

Little Black Book* by Otegha Uwagba: After hearing Liv and Anna raving about this book, when the opportunity arose to be sent my own copy c/o Harper Collins, I could not say no. It is all the more fitting given I've recently started a new job. Side note, I say recently, it was actually five weeks ago now which is crazy to me. Anyway, Little Black Book or LBB that is actually peach, is a mini guide to being a successful worker in the creative realm. Whether it be as a full time gig or juggling it amongst other things, this sounds like quite the useful book to have in one's possession. 

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen: A bit of an impulsive buy on my part, I'm not going to lie but it is actually a book and film I've always wanted to see. Angelina Jolie and Winona Ryder? Yes please. It follows a young girl who gets admitted to a psych ward, the same which has also played home to Sylvia Plath among others and her experiences and encounters across the next two years. It sounds haunting yet alluring all at once. 

Sour Heart* by Jenny Zhang: If you follow me on Instagram you will already know this is one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Admittedly, I go through phases of reading short story collections. They never seem to take my fancy quite as much as novels but if the advanced praise of this book is anything to go by, it will be brilliant. It's the first title published under the new Lenny imprint x Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner so if this is a sign of what is to come I am excited. 

The Ninth Hour* by Alice McDermott: So this is actually an ARC, aka an uncorrected proof copy. I do get these from time to time and I try to not feature them until closer to publication date but I have a feeling this book is released very soon. Update, it is released next month so it should not be too far away. The Ninth Hour is the story of three generations of an Irish immigrant family in 1940's to 1950's Brooklyn who are faced with tragedy. That being loss, suicide and coming to terms with life in an entirely new part of the world. I've not read anything by Alice McDermott before and while it seems trite to say I am looking forward to reading this given its subject matter, I am curious and find novels that delve into the psyche of characters, like it sounds like this one is going to, deeply fascinating. 

Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion: Didion, one of a trio of writers whose work I want to busy myself with reading in its entirety. I feel like I've mentioned that fact before but the other two are Nick Hornby, although maybe not his YA because I haven't heard favourable things, and Ali Smith. Play It As It Lays chronicles life in 1960's Los Angeles and Hollywood. One of my favourite decades, nostalgia-wise, albeit secondhand and a city that never ceases to fascinate me. While I imagine sixties LA is vastly different to 2017 in many regards, I am still curious to see if any patterns emerge of what was to come in terms of where the world was headed. Moreover I am just intrigued to read and experience Didion's perspective on it. 

Conversations With Friends* by Sally Rooney: One of my school friends and literary enthusiasts, Laura gave this a glowing review here and I've prioritised this to read next month. The title is self explanatory, this book examines and centres around conversation. One of my favourite things, I do love a good natter. It follows the protagonist through high school, university and new adulthood. Like Sour Heart, this is another of my highly anticipated fiction releases of 2017 so if I love it as much as I suspect I am going to, this will not be the last time you hear of it. 

The Gender Games* by Juno Dawson: Not pictured but for reference, here is the cover in all its glory. I actually received this at the end of July, I think but it made its way to my current reads list fairly quickly and so far I am finding it brilliant. Like my fellow book buff Emma, I find books that look at gender and how it shapes society incredibly interesting. This book is perhaps more so than any other because Dawson has lived through the male and female lens. It is well worth the read and out of the albeit limited selection of books I've read in August, this is up there with my favourites. 

-Have you acquired any new books in August? What were they?

*Review Copy