This is the one thousandth blog post. 1000 posts and now nearly five and a half years of blogging too. Time flies when you're having fun typing and photographing and everything else that goes along with blogging. Nostalgia aside, I've got a lot of love for weekly lists and just list-type blog posts in general at the moment. Whilst I'm a bit reluctant to commit to this weekly, expect to see this little round-up monthly. Without further ado, here's five things that are on my radar. Clothing, podcasts...y'know what, just scroll down and keep reading.

Alexa Chung: My all-time muse released her first collection under her own label in a church last Wednesday evening. I woke up early to watch the live-stream and it was worth it just to hear the children's choir singing Good Vibrations, yet alone the clothes. I love it all. I want to get my mitts on a lot of the items. At the moment though I am seriously lusting after the Star Loafers, this shirt which I am kindasortamaybe considering as a birthday present to me from me and these earrings. The whole collection is just brilliant and obviously I'm insanely biased but I love it and think y'all should go cast your eyes over it here.

At Home With: Podcasts are certainly still having their moment and the latest I've subscribed to and love is this gem, created by Anna  and Lily. They go inside the homes of inspiring women and talk to them about their spaces, their careers and a bit of everything really. My favourite episode so far has to be the one with Lisa Eldridge. Not only is she a kiwi expat but she's one of my absolute idols so hearing her share her wisdom was always going to be a treat. That and her home looks so dreamy. Further proof of that here. 

The Book Fairies in Auckland: You might've heard about The Book Fairy initiative over on Emma Watson's platforms. The gist of it is you leave a book somewhere, preferably with a sticker for someone else to find. You can personalise it and leave a handwritten note inside too as I have done. Anyway, from June 6th-17th in Auckland, the No. 1 Cafe will have its caravan turned in to a Pop-Up library. There'll be plenty of book fairy books waiting there and I'm going to be dropping some off this week too. Stop by for a coffee and a book.

The People vs. OJ Simpson: So I might just be the last person to watch this show, also known as American Crime Story. After reading Caitlyn Jenner's book recently though, in which she mentions OJ Simpson briefly I was reminded that it was something I want to watch. For sure, some of the Kardashian scenes might be fabricated but on the whole I'm finding it makes for really compelling watching. The way in which the whole circus leading up to the trial, which is where I'm up to at the moment seems to mirror what happens now in the press, albeit on a smaller scale is quite eerie. Not to mention the sexism surrounding Marcia Clark, portrayed by Sarah Paulson. Highly recommend you watch it though if you're yet to see it. It's on Netflix here in NZ.

Auckland Fair: One of my favourite events in Auckland is back for one last hurrah on June 18th. Jess Whiting has been the brainchild behind this brilliant showcase of all things handmade for the past eight years and is moving on to more exciting projects. Having been at many of the first fairs and being on the door at one back in the day at Aotea Centre, I know just how much of a labour of love it is for all involved. It'll be sad to see it go but I can't wait to see what Jess does next. I'll be there, wallet in hand to support some local makers and of course Jess. It's $6 entry and on from 10.30am-5.00pm at Shed 10 here in Auckland.

-I hope you enjoy this post! Let me know in the comments what you've been loving recently.

I am often asked by friends, family and readers what products I'd recommend they buy from a range of categories. It's primarily beauty but I do get the odd outfit query via various messaging outlets as well. Now Lily of Lily Pebbles blog created the categories and this non-tag of sorts over on her blog and it was one I wanted to quiz myself on and see others answer as well so here you go. Here are my go-to beauty and fashion brands for a range of answers. Enjoy! 

Makeup brand to use: This is a tough one, and I cannot think of any makeup brand that does every single product to my liking. I'm a fussy one, not gonna lie.. If I did have to pick one though I'd go with Nars. I cannot think of a product I have tried from them that has disappointed me, with the exception of Orgasm blush. Their concealer, eyeshadow primer and newest foundation are my must-haves. 

Mascara to wear: Mascaras are something I alternate a lot but at the moment my favourite has to be the Covergirl Full Lash Bloom mascara. Not only is it relatively cheap and cheerful, it really makes your lashes look amazing. It holds a curl so well and it's one of those mascaras I can see myself repurchasing again. Special mention has to go to to Benefit's Roller Lash mascara as well. I am yet to repurchase it but I want to so badly.  

Skincare item to use: Pixi Glow Tonic. Thanks Caroline Hirons and all the UK blogging set for raving about this product. The first reason I love using this is the scent. There's just something about it that makes me want to bottle it up and wear it as a fragrance. It's also great at reviving the skin and leaving it looking ten times better. 

Highstreet store to shop from: We don't have a bunch of highstreet stores in New Zealand and I yearn for the day H&M, Zara and Urban Outfitters set up shop here. So with that being said I have to choose Topshop. Their Jamie jeans are my favourite jeans I have ever owned. They also design such versatile pieces that never seem to look identical to what other brands are releasing. Their collaborations are usually pretty on-point as well, like their Kendall+Kylie and Kate Moss collections. 

Makeup brush brand: Easy peasy, Real Techniques. Their brushes are designed with the average woman in mind and are so lovely to work with. They're synthetic, cruelty-free and such good quality. I've had a lot of my brushes for nearly two years now and they're still going strong. I love that their brushes are so versatile too and can be used for a range of purposes. 

Lipstick to wear every day: Definitely one of my Mac nudes. Yep, nudes plural. I have a lipstick problem okay? On a day to day basis I alternate between Syrup, Peach Blossom and Patisserie.

Eyeshadow palette: Urban Decay's Naked 2 Basics. My answer would've been my Mac palette but I've downsized it a lot lately. More on that another time... This palette is so versatile and the mattes work with virtually every single eyeshadow I try them with. It's such a staple if you love eyeshadow or want an everyday palette that is so user-friendly.

Haircare brand to buy from: Bumble and Bumble. Hands down. It doesn't have a lot of competition because once I find haircare bits I love, they don't tend to change too much. I have to give a shout-out to their Invisible Oil shampoo. I've been through two bottles of it and love the stuff. Their primer's pretty awesome as well.

*What would be your go-to beauty brands?

That header says it all really. Who even gets their beauty recommendations from magazines nowadays? Blogs are where it's at! Flashback two years ago and I knew next to nothing about makeup. Most of my knowledge came from Mac and I was only beginning to learn what a Naked palette was and that Tarte was not in fact provocative. Unsurpisingly, many of the products and brands I now know and love have come from reading countless beauty blogs and trawling through my subscription list over on YouTube. Today I thought I'd share a few of the products that I've tried and loved because of beauty bloggers singing their praises too..

Bioderma Sensibio H20, Miss Glamorazzi-There's probably many of us who have succumbed to Bioderma. I remember it being one of the first beauty products I heard about when I first watched beauty videos. It can be a bit difficult to track down in New Zealand but it's easier to find online. It's well worth the hunt though! The micellar water literally breaks down your makeup. It never feels stripping on the skin and is super gentle. I'll forever repurchase this one. 

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush, Vivianna Does Makeup-Many a product that has made its way into my makeup bag over the last year has been at the hands of Anna. Well, indirectly of course. Anna is a skilled enabler when it comes to all things beauty. If you want to see a post on 'Anna Purchases' then let me know! Anyway, these blushers are super long-wearing and look so flattering on the complexion. They don't have excessive shimmer to them, in fact I think these are both matte. Tipsy, the coral shade is one of those blushers that'll perk up your complexion. Exposed on the other hand is one for minimal makeup days as it looks so natural on. 

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, Amelia Liana-You've probably seen this concealer on many a beauty blog since its launch. The paler shades are notoriously difficult to get hold of but again it's worth tracking down! This concealer is so lightweight yet it offers fantastic coverage. It doesn't crease and blends in seamlessly. In fact, it's almost undetectable on the skin. There's such a wide range of shades too which I think is why this is so popular as well of course as the cake-free finish. I may even have a backup of this waiting for when mine runs out...

The Beauty Scenario tag was created by Lily Pebbles and it's one I have always wanted to do but never got around to until now. Typically this would be a video but I didn't have time to film this. I also currently look like a tired mess so I didn't think you would want to see that.

Anyway, here's how I'd solve the following beauty scenarios..

You have to get rid of all your foundations and you can only keep one high end and one drugstore. Which do you keep? I don't actually own many foundations and bases mainly because I struggle to find colours that don't make me look overly orange. The ones I do own are not my favourites either. I'd probably get rid of them and replace them with something else, like the new Chanel Perfection Lumiere-Velvet foundation or Jouer's Matte Moisture Tint.

You go for an interview and the lady interviewing you has lipstick on her teeth. Do you approach the subject or ignore it completely? Ignore it completely, because then it might just make the rest of the interview awkward.

You're not feeling your best and need a pick me up. Which lipstick do you put on to make yourself feel beautiful? Impassioned by Mac. It's a vibrant, raspberry pink and it always makes me feel happy and beautiful when I'm wearing it. Magic lipstick perhaps?