One more favourites post, with feeling. I kinda stopped doing monthly favourites posts last year because I'd often just end up using the same products, listening to the same music and vice versa. Much of this list will probably come as no surprise but at the same time there's some things I want to draw more attention to. There's beauty, writing, things to listen to and things to watch. Enjoy!

MUSIC:

My two most-listened to artists for much of 2018 were Florence and the Machine and Lana Del Rey. High As Hope was released, Florence's fourth album and I loved it. Candid, poetic lyrics. Melodies to bewitch. It remained in my car stereo for months on end. I cannot wait to experience it all live in a couple of weeks as well.

Lana Del Rey was more a nostalgic thing but her albums Honeymoon and Lust For Life were on high rotation. Honeymoon reminds me of Summer. Lust For Life, Autumn and Winter. I love her lyrics and their subtle nods to Hollywood and literature among other things.

TV:

The Good Place-I loved this show so much that I watched Season 1 and 2 twice during the year. It's clever brilliant comedy-bought to us by the creator of Parks and Rec which I also love so go figure. On a slightly nerdier level, I love the spotlight it shines on ethics and philosophy. Yass plz. Plus that casting of brilliant women: Kristen Bell, D'Arcy Carden, Jameela Jamil. The. Best.

Feud: Bette & Joan-Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange bought Bette Davis and Joan Crawford to life in this miniseries. Drama, glamour and fascinating viewing. As well as stunning costuming. It also shines a light on the uglier side of fame and relevancy+how that can in turn impact on families and the inner circles of Crawford and Davis. If you're in New Zealand, you can find this series on Lightbox.

BEAUTY:

*As an aside, I more or less stuck to products I used and loved this year so this category is incredibly sparse as a result. I recommend perusing the archives if you want more of an insight into the beauty products I use.

L'Oreal Paradise Mascara: I couldn't not mention this mascara. I LOVE it and went through multiple tubes of it throughout 2018. I may or may not have a backup waiting to be used too. Ahem. Anyway, this mascara is fuss-free, long-wearing, lengthening, volumising, love in a tube. You get the gist.

MAC Tan Pigment: An item that has been on my wishlist for years and I finally purchased it last year. I love it I tell ya. Rose gold-y, coppery, sparkly perfection. I love to apply this wet to really amp up the pigment and metallic finish. 

PODCASTS:

The High Low Show: Dolly and Pandora's podcast is my favourite. It's entertaining and fun. As well as the bigger issues, they always natter about what they are reading and watching too which I love. Actually I just love the whole thing let's be honest. Dolly and Pandora are the two friends we all want in our lives and their podcast feels like a weekly, intimate chinwag.

How To Fail: Failure is a word that carries a whole lot of meaning and significance. Elizabeth Day's podcast is about exploring the intricacies of failure and thus reframing them. She interviews public figures about their journeys and life stories. They discuss how they've failed and instead of focusing on it as a 'woe is me' kind of concept, Day and her guests consider how it has helped them. How failure in turn defines our present selves. Standout episodes, for me at least were Dolly Alderton's and Olivia Laing's. I'm looking forward to reading Day's upcoming book of the same name when it is released this year.

WRITING:

Dolly Alderton (yes I am a fangirl ok) and Caitlin Moran's columns for the times. I have the Times subscription for the free articles and once I wake I go in and read Dolly+Caitlin's columns. It's kind of a ritualistic thing for me really. They're always inspiring, entertaining and wise reads.

Oh Comely Magazine: My favourite magazine of the year was this UK gem. Always laden with great content and stories and women. I love how there are book reviews each issue as well as their seasonal playlists. Yes please. I love how they regularly accept submissions of work from near and far as well. It's a feel-good magazine and I bloomin' love it.

*What did you love in 2018?

Magazines are my one and only, my ride or die. That's no secret to anybody that knows me, or anyone who has read this blog long enough. I'm sure like many of us, I spend a large portion of my days looking at screens and unwinding with a magazine and the knowledge that my phone is off are some of my greatest pleasures. You just cannot beat a magazine, on paper, especially if it's that thick stock some publishers love. Shout out to Frankie, The Plant, et al. Being a magazine lover means I am always on the lookout for new magazines, or magazines that aren't exactly new but are to me. Today I have four of my recent finds and loves to share. They're all a bit niche and are very exquisite.

Oh Comely: I actually came across Oh Comely when I was in London, centuries ago in 2010 and I recently discovered that my local newsagent sells it. Admittedly, waiting months for it to arrive is a bit of a nuisance, sea freight is the bane of my magazine loving existence. It is worth the wait though. Oh Comely is a British magazine, published bimonthly that follows a theme and is filled to the brim with fashion, photography and art by talented people, usually ladies. Recent issues have focused on things like magic and strength which let's be real, the world needs a heck of a lot more of. If you're a fan of frankie then I think you will love this. Where to find me in NZ: Mag Nation, Ponsonby*, Paper Power.

Apartamento: This purchase was inspired after I dragged a friend to Mag Nation here in Auckland, and because I saw it on Albertine's Instagram and she has great taste. It is a largely interiors themed magazine but it is also for individuals "who are passionate about the way they live". Unsurprisingly, this publication, released biannually is impeccably designed. Alongside captivating imagery are engaging articles with creative people about their spaces and art. It's a bit on the pricey side here in NZ but it's perfect if you're into aesthetics and want to treat yo'self. Where to find me: Mag Nation and Magnetix, Wellington.

Suitcase: A tome of travel and free-spirited goodness. Suitcase first came to my attention via Amelia who if I am remembering correctly, used to be one of their contributing editors. Suitcase is the perfect size to fit into your travel bag of choice and is a travel magazine you will want to read. This may be a potentially unpopular opinion but I feel like most travel publications, the ones I've seen at least, veer on the dull side of things but Suitcase is thankfully far from dull. Published quarterly, each issue is usually themed around different countries and cities. The one pictured was interested in the idea of myths and legends+stories from faraway places. It contained a writeup on the legends and lesser known secrets of Oxford by Rosalind Jana, a handy guide to beauty products 100ml or under to take on your travels and photographic explorations of national parks in America, the mystical landscapes of Scotland and more. It's fairly inexpensive, I want to say it is $15 or less here in New Zealand which for an imported magazine is pretty decent, so I recommend you nab a copy. Where to find me: Mag Nation and Magnetix.

The Plant: This time, an Estee inspired acquisition. Side note: her love for magazines rivals mine so I suggest you head to her channel where she shares recommendations from time to time. A magazine for all the greenery lovers and a place where creative people+their love of flora and fauna come to party. Well not party, more like share their magic on paper. Each issue is themed around a particular plant, the one pictured was inspired by geraniums. Again, this is a beautifully presented and designed publication. I can't seem to find information about how often it is released, it seems to be yearly though. Where to find me: Mag Nation, although because this one is a bit more elusive you may wish to contact them first before heading there.

-What magazines do you read and like?

*For clarity, I was employed by Mag Nation in late 2015-early 2016 but this post is in no way affiliated with them and I am in no way advantaged by linking to their website.

-Hello y'all, it's me essentially talking to myself because apart from Emma (hi Emma), I don't know who else reads this section. I just wanted to share a little PSA and say I am going to be a bit absent from this blog now for a week or so. I have a giveaway scheduled to go up early/mid next week but otherwise I will be in full on assignment mode. Fun times and if you want to learn the phonetic alphabet with me, please sing out. On the plus side, next week is Adele week so that will help the assignment cloud lift. What else..oh, I have a new story on FashioNZ of some Autumn beauty must-haves, including several that haven't made their way onto this blog yet. That's about all for now really. I hope you are all having a great month thus far.