In my not so humble opinion as a JAFA, that's just another fabulous Aucklander for anyone not in the know, the Auckland Writers Festival is a good time. As someone who likes reading you might think it'd be a sin for me to say otherwise. Truthfully though, I wouldn't be harping on about it now if I thought it was not worth anyone's time. This year they have one helluva lineup; Roxane Gay, Rupi Kaur, Chris Kraus, Ashleigh Young, Paul Beatty and more. Today I'm going to talk you through seven events I think you should know about, plus I have a very exciting lil' giveaway so stay tuned to the end of this post. 

Walk On High, free: One of the booksellers in Unity Books alerted me to this fun event taking place on High Street. From 6.30-8.00pm, a series of events will be happening. Insta-essays, poetry, theatre and games are just some of what can be expected. It sounds fun and like an unforgettable evening to explore the streets and get immersed in some unique experiences. 

Best of the Spoken Word, ticketed: Five of New Zealand's finest voices will come together to showcase their creative work, engage in a little improv. There'll even be a few guest appearances from the likes of Rupi Kaur, Paul Beatty and Ivan Coyote. If you are a poetry enthusiast then I imagine this one will be right up your alley. 

The Art of the Essay, free: As soon as I saw this event in the programme I was like 'yes please, I am there'. Roxane Gay+Ashleigh Young sharing their wisdom is enough to entice me. I don't think I need to say much more here. You get the gist.

Pop Up: Rupi Kaur, ticketed: I'm going to Milk and Honey, Kaur's Sunday session which has since sold out. Hence the addition of this new event. If you missed out the first time around, you cannot miss this one. Kaur is a voice to watch and I particularly loved milk and honey. In fact, I revisit it all the time. It's the kind of poetry that stays with you long after you've completed reading it.

The Book of Forgiving, ticketed: Mphu Tutu Van Furth co-wrote the aforementioned book with her father, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Her session sounds fascinating and inspiring, as she'll be delving into her life and the place of forgiveness. I actually want to read this book now too so I'll be hunting that down in the local library. 

The Song of the Book, ticketed: Music lovers and lyricist enthusiasts, this one's for you. Four of our local songwriters were set the challenge of creating a piece of music, inspired by one of the books featured in this year's festival. As music is all about storytelling, this is the perfect marriage of creative mediums. 

Difficult Women, ticketed: When I heard that Roxane Gay was headed to Auckland for the Writers Festival, I knew I could not miss out. She's one of my favourite people on Twitter to follow and I love reading her writing whenever I get the opportunity, especially her op-eds. I cannot wait to hear her speak about her work and everything really. 

Now for the fun part, thanks to the lovely folk at Auckland Writers Festival*, I have a double-pass to Rupi Kaur's pop up event on Friday May 19th to give away. To enter, leave me a comment telling me what you're most looking forward to at the Writers Fest this year and feel free to use the additional entry options in the box below. Please note; you must be able to get to Auckland for this event and will have to collect your tickets from the box office. If you are under eighteen, please get permission from a parent or guardian before entering. 

This giveaway closes Tuesday 9th May. Good luck!

There is just something so instantly likeable about Lily Collins. I remember thinking that when I first read her cover-story in an issue of Teen Vogue and then seeing her in films and her campaigns for Lancome. Despite her celebrity heritage, Dad is Phil Collins, she seems very down-to-Earth and not too showy. She's aware of her starriness but not reliant on it. So when I heard she was releasing a book and that it was being praised for its realness and approachability, something not always a guarantee with memoirs of this nature, I was intrigued. It was naturally named Unfiltered*. No shame, no regrets, just Lily Collins. 

Before I get into the review, I just want to say how grateful I am that we are seeing books like this from a mainstream publishing house. I read a lot of essays and more often than not, the most candid seem to come from independent publishers. The fact Penguin have embraced this, no less from a recognisable face is only a step in the right direction, as was Mara Wilson's book they also released last year. 

Unfiltered is a collection of seventeen essays from Lily on topics ranging from eating disorders to abusive relationships, sharing stories and the relationships we form with family, friends and moreover ourselves. She also has a chapter on her beginnings with writing and journalism which I really enjoyed. It seems cliche to say "stars, they're just like us", especially when it is usually used in a mocking sense. Used in this context though, I mean it in the most flattering way. We need more books like this and while not all of Lily's stories were necessarily relatable or aligned with my own, there were certainly some I found myself drawing parallels with. At the same time, I think that one of the beauties of memoirs is reading stories that are different to your own as well as finding glimmers of similarity. The chapters on eating disorders and body image will be important for a lot of people in particular. 

Unfiltered is beautifully written, it never feels condescending and is the kind of book you can easily lose a few hours in or dip in and out of as you please. I really enjoyed it and hope this isn't the last we hear from Lily because it just left me wanting more. Unfiltered is on sale now in New Zealand for $35.00.

I have a copy of Unfiltered to give away to one of you lovely kiwi folk. To be in to win, just follow the steps in the Rafflecopter box below. If you are under eighteen, please get permission to enter first as I will need your address to send the book to you. This giveaway will close next Tuesday the 28th of March. Good luck!

*Review copy and giveaway copy thanks to the lovely folk at Penguin Random House NZ. All opinions and love of Lily Collins and her gorgeous self+words are my own. 

It wouldn't be Christmas without mention of some books. Despite my admittedly fussy preferences, they're usually always something I enjoy receiving as gifts and nowadays gifting to other people as well. Side note: Friends and family, please stop reading this post. Now. Here's my carefully curated edit of books I think would make fantastic presents this Christmas. This is the mere tip of the iceberg and in the interests of not making this post longer than it is, I have streamlined my recommendations. That being said, if you want any more recommendations just ask. I am always happy to talk about books with anyone, whether they ask for my opinions or not. Oh and stay tuned to the very bottom of this post because you can even win a book or two for yourself. Huzzah! 

The one for the fashion lover: Get a Life: The Diaries of Vivienne Westwood is a recently released volume of Westwood's diary entries, from 2010 to 2016. It's a hefty book, coming in at close to 500 pages and is crammed with interesting insights on fashion, politics, the environment and activism. All topics that Vivienne is incredibly passionate about and well informed on. It makes for absolutely enthralling reading. 

For the twenty-something who loves humour and relatable reads: Where Am I Now? by Mara Wilson aka the now grown up girl who played Matilda and was the youngest daughter of Robin Williams in Mrs Doubtfire among other nineties family films. The title, a play on the often asked question by Hollywood media hints at the cleverness and humour contained within. It's an incredibly relatable read and even if you cannot relate to child stardom, there is still something valuable to gain from Mara's writing. 

The beauty product bible for beauty lovers: Pretty Iconic by Sali Hughes has made a few appearances around here now and it's worthy of high praise indeed. I have said it before but I will say it again, Sali Hughes is a beauty writing wizard. This collection of iconic beauty products and Sali's personal musings on them, as well as interesting facts will satisfy many a beauty lover. 

For the one who grew up with Harry Potter: Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them: Original Screenplay* by JK Rowling. It may be wrong to judge a book by its cover but you have to be forgiven when it is as exquisite as this 1920's inspired treasure by graphic design team Minalima. If they loved the film they're bound to lap this up as well. It is always a treat to reenter the world of the genius that is Jo Rowling.

The Summer beach/poolside read for the Zoe Foster Blake Fangirl or Guy: The Wrong Girl by Zoe Foster Blake is the right book for the aforementioned fan. See what I did there? It's funny, smart and just a really enjoyable read. It's the paper equivalent of eating Lindor Chocolate and I love Lindt so that is high praise indeed. 

The one for the Gilmore Girl lover: Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham may not be a lengthy read but it is mighty enjoyable. It is also possibly the closest thing we will ever have to a afternoon chat with Lauren Graham. As well as being packed with Gilmore Girls stories, she reflects on her time pre-Hollywood, her career as a writer, the stigmas around singledom and more. 

For the lifestyle goddess: Bloom* by Estee Lalonde, the aesthetically pleasing, inspiring book that is bound to go down a treat. This is a beautiful coffee-table book for a bit of inspiration and to flick through for some ideas and wisdom.

The book everyone needs: milk and honey by Rupi Kaur. Poetry is one of those genres that people seem to either love or hate but this collection of poems and musings by Kaur seems to please even the divided. It'll make you feel a thousand emotions and want to dog-ear pages to commit to memory. It's a best-seller for a reason.

Some extras:

Magazine Subscriptions/Assortments of Magazines: Magazines are a bit of a luxury so it's always lovely to give or receive them. I try to include them with gifts, especially for people overseas who may want a little slice of home or a chance to peruse some unknown pages. My recommendations are: Miss FQ, British Vogue, frankie, Kinfolk and The Happy Reader. 

Bookmarks, in particular these and these: A great stocking stuffer and an ideal accompaniment to a gift for the person who reads all the things. These ones from Whitcoulls are currently on 3 for 2 so I nabbed a set for myself as well as some for friends and family members. I love that they're magnetic too so you won't lose your place in your book. 

A Reading Journal: For the true reading enthusiast, a reading journal is a fantastic way to track what you've read and document your true, honest opinions safe from the prying Internet eyes. There's no chance of offending anyone with your controversial opinions and you have a paper record of what you've read too. Wins all round. 

-What books would you recommend as gifts? Oh and don't forget to check out the giveaway below!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Now for the fun part, I am giving away a copy of Pretty Iconic** by Sali Hughes and Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham. To be in to win simply follow the steps outlined in the Rafflecopter box below and leave me a comment here or on social media letting me know which book you'd like to win. This giveaway will close next Thursday the 15th of December so there's more of a chance of you receiving the book by Christmas.

Note: Due to the size and weight of Pretty Iconic, I have to restrict the giveaway for that title to New Zealand entries only. However, anyone in the world can enter to win Lauren Graham's book. As always, if you are under 18 please get permission from a parent or guardian as I will need your address details. Good luck!

*Review copy

**Thanks to Harper Collins NZ for supplying a copy of Sali's book.

There's been a change in literature and film recently, one I am really welcoming. We are seeing women in much more complex roles. Gender disparities are being challenged and the story lines on offer go beyond that of your standard rom-com. I despise that term by the way, I'm just applying it for the sake of this post. Gillian Flynn is one of the game-changers writing about multifaceted women but she has a challenger in the form of Paula Hawkins, author of last year's bestseller and beach/pass copies to all your friends read, The Girl on the Train. 

I only got around to reading this book last month but I intentionally waited so it was fresh before I saw the film. I devoured this book, not quite as quickly as I did Gone Girl thanks to assignments and things but still fast nonetheless. It tells the story of Rachel, an alcoholic separated from her husband yet still fixated on him and her former married life. Each day she catches the train and observes her old life and that of the people she doesn't know. After the disappearance of a local woman and Rachel's lack of recollection from the night of her last sighting, she begins to wonder if she was involved. I will leave that summary there, lest I ruin it for anybody. I absolutely raced through this book. It had such a varied list of suspects, given the book shifted through three different voices and while I did come close to the final outcome, I had many other theories that were competing. One thing that did bother me a little bit was the changing perspectives. I think Rachel's point of view works best in the book but otherwise I really enjoyed this one. 

Now on to the movie, I was lucky enough to attend a preview screening for this before it was released and I was excited. Not only for the film but also because Emily Blunt, one of my all-time favourite actresses was in it. The key difference between the book and the film was that the book was set in New York. Honestly I don't feel like it makes a huge difference really. Otherwise this adaptation was extremely faithful to the book and any changes made only served to enhance the plot. Unlike the book, I feel like the three intertwining stories of Megan, Anna and Rachel all play out much better on screen. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I was still tense watching it and felt edgy in places. I really, really loved the movie though. Emily Blunt is amazing as Rachel. She's such a versatile actress anyway but she really shines in this movie. Fingers crossed she gets the recognition for it come awards season. 

Now for the fun part, NZ readers, I have one double pass to give away to see The Girl on the Train* and one which I am giving away on my Instagram. To enter, you just need to tell me your favourite book to film adaptation in the comments below. This giveaway will close next Thursday the 20th of October and I will contact the winners later that day to arrange posting the passes to you. For additional entries, fill in the Rafflecopter box below and comment over on Instagram too. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

*Double passes supplied by Trigger World. This giveaway is in no way sponsored and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Body Shop are blessing us with a whole plethora of new launches at the moment, one of the latest and greatest being their new Expert Face Masks. You may have seen this post over on my Instagram, expressing my excitement at the personalised robe that accompanied these rather gorgeous face masks. It was an exciting time, naturally. It may surprise some of you but I have one face and there was no way I needed to keep all these face masks to myself, so I recruited Emma and Albertine to review some for me. I've also kept one aside for one of you lovely folk to win as well. Sharing the mask love and all that. So what did we think of these masks? Read on...

Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask*-Out of the two masks I reviewed this one is definitely my favourite. It's 100 per cent vegan, contains charcoal, green tea leaves and tea tree oil. If your skin's being a bit troublesome, mine's been acting out something chronic lately, you will love this. It dries down to an almost scrub-like texture and when you wipe it away, your skin gets a bit of an exfoliation as well. As it is more on the abrasive side, if your skin is a bit drier or maturer, this mask might not be the one for you. Combination and oily-skinned peeps though, you're going to like this one. 

British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask*-Hi guys, my name is Albertine and I run a blog+shop called Pigment Studio. Side note: Go buy one of Albertine's chokers. They're beautiful. Sophie very generously gave me this mask to try out and review for you, so without further ado, here are my thoughts on this mask. I've used this mask about four or five times now and I can safely say it is one of the best wash off masks I've ever used! Not only does it make my face feeling really nice and clean but it really helps to hydrate and plump up my skin, leaving it looking amazingly glowy and fresh. Don't get me wrong, I do love a good mud mask but on days where I feel like treating my skin, without the hassle of wiping dried mud off my face, I reach for this mask. It's really refreshing and perfect for a quick 10 minute skin treatment before applying makeup and heading out for the evening. It's equally as perfect for when you're having a bath and want to quickly slap on a face mask and relax. Lastly, but certainly not least of all, the smell of this mask is AMAZING! Honestly, if I haven't convinced you to buy this mask and try it out for yourself, please go to your nearest Body Shop and have a sniff of this product at the least. Trust me. The smell alone may convince you. 

Ethopian Honey Deep Nourishing Mask*-One common misconception with combination-oily skin like mine, #blessed *ahem*, is that your skin needs less moisture. Sometimes combination skin is actually dehydrated and as a result it produces more oil. Not ideal. Anyway, where I am going with that tangent is that this mask is perfect if your skin's feeling a little bit moisture deprived or in need of something a bit gentler than the charcoal mask I reviewed. It contains community trade honey, marula oil from Namibia and olive oil from Italy. The combination of oils and honey results in your skin feeling a lot smoother and softer after you've removed this mask. Again, it's the perfect one if your skin's a little bit angrier because it is so gentle and soothing. I love how nourishing it is too without feeling heavy or thick when applied.  

Chinese Ginseng and Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask*-Hi everyone, I'm Emma from emmaetc where I mainly write about beauty and books, two of my greatest loves. Using the Chinese Ginseng and Rice Clarifying Polish Mask means you're on your way to achieving a smooth, fresh and brightened complexion. My skin often veers on the dull, clogged side, being very blemish prone, so this face mask seemed a great fit. When applied, it feels relaxing and quite cooling on the skin and should be left for around 5-10 minutes although I like leaving it for a little longer. This mask doesn't set or go hard at all really, and it's designed for you to be able to gently rub into the skin afterwards for exfoliating. I found it certainly polished my skin and made it appear brighter because the small exfoliating bits polished away any bumps or dead skin. I love these types of masks because my face feels super smooth afterwards as you get both the cleanse and exfoliation in there. Generally, I think this really makes a difference to the skin and makes makeup application easier in the morning. Paired with a glow-inducing cleanser, I definitely notice my skin looks brighter and it makes for the ultimate pamper session.  

Now for the exciting part, if you want to win a mask of your own, I am giving away one Amazonian Acai Energising Radiance Mask*. This giveaway will run until the 17th of October and I will announce the winner on my Facebook then. This giveaway is for my NZ readers only as the mask is in a glass container. I just don't want to risk sending it overseas and having it get smashed or wrecked in transit. To be in to win, enter through the Rafflecopter box below. Oh and if you're under 18, please check before you enter as I will need your address to send out the prize. Good luck! 

Unless you haven't visited a bookshop or seen a bestseller list in the last few years, you will have heard of Me Before You. The love story that gets people contemplating life and their stance on some of the world's injustices, has taken the world by storm. It's a book that sweeps readers off their feet, makes them laugh, makes them cry at five in the morning. Okay, that last point might be relevant to just me. I had an eight-hour shift approaching and knew I wouldn't make it through the work day not knowing what the outcomes were for Will Traynor and Louisa Clark. That's how invested you get in the characters. I love this book, I love this story. You get the gist.

Me Before You opens in cinemas here this week and you can bet I'll be at the cinema in my craziest, Lou-approved outfit with several boxes of tissues at hand. I can't wait to see how this story translates to film. To celebrate Me Before You's cinematic release and its film-tie in edition, I've partnered with Penguin* for a giveaway! I have two copies of the book to give away here on my blog and another copy over on Instagram. I'll pop the Terms & Conditions down below as well as the Rafflecopter link. This giveaway will close on Friday at 12pm and I will be in touch with the winners then. Good luck!

Terms & Conditions

-This giveaway is open to New Zealand and Australian residents only. 

-Entries open today, Monday 13th June and close at 12am on Friday the 17th of June. All winners will be contacted via social media/email and I'll put a post up on Facebook announcing the winners.

-You can enter via the Rafflecopter box as well as over on Instagram for an additional entry.

-Winners must have liked my Facebook page and be following Penguin NZ on Instagram. 

*This giveaway has been made possible thanks to Penguin New Zealand who have provided the books. This post is not sponsored and I have received no compensation for this giveaway. I wanted to do this for you guys because I love Me Before You and think it's a book worth talking about. 

It's crazy to me that this blog of mine is (almost) four years old. What really began as a place simply for me to write the things I wanted and share what I loved has developed to something I never would've thought possible. To celebrate the occasion, and also acknowledge one of my favourite times of the year I've put together four gifts of beauty and book goodies for y'all to enjoy. Find out more about them and how you can enter below!

Prize One-This one is for the beauty fanatic. You love a good beauty haul (or five) and are just as excited by skincare as you are makeup. This one contains something exciting from the team at makeup.co.nz and though it looks small, it's the one with the red sticker, don't let the size deceive you if you choose this one.

Prize Two-Another beauty themed prize, but this one is more for the skincare and bodycare fanatics among you. There's a mix of New Zealand brands and international gems in this one. 

Prize Three-One of the two book and beauty prizes. There's also something for the flatlay lovers in here as well. If you're here for feminism and women doing awesome things, this may be the pack for you.

Prize Four-Inside this prize you'll find one of my favourite books of the year. There's also something beauty-themed for the party season in here and again, something to keep your flatlays looking swish, or keep your cup of tea company.

Terms and Conditions:

-Due to these gifts containing heavier items and also some flammable beauty products these giveaways are going to be restricted to New Zealand residents only. Sorry international folk! I'm going to organise a giveaway for you guys asap though because y'all are awesome. 

-To be eligible for this giveaway you must be following my Instagram and also like my Facebook page. Each of the additional options in the Rafflecopter box will earn you extra entries. Note; If you aren't following my Instagram or Facebook, your entries will be disqualified.

-To be eligible you must leave a comment below telling me which of these prizes you'd like to win. There will be four winners, one for each prize.

-If you're under eighteen, please get the permission of a parent or guardian before entering as I will need an address from you to send your prize to.

*Entries close next Tuesday December 9th. I will notify the winners later that day. Good luck!

Today I am opening up the floor to you lovely people. It's been nearly two years since I last did a survey around these parts, which is way too long ago, let's be real. If you could take a couple of minutes to fill it in I would really appreciate it. Your feedback helps so much. To my NZ friends, I went through my sample stash & gathered up some things which you can be in to win, just by filling out this survey. I'll close off the giveaway in a week's time.

I think that's everything! I'm looking forward to reading your responses.