May, a month of goodness (Auckland Writers Fest, full license acquiring, sparkly brogues) and also some less than great things. In the interest of keeping things positive and upbeat, today I'm focusing on some of the things I loved in May. There's quite a bit of beauty, including another mascara dalliance as well as a revisited book and the album I'm a bit obsessed with...

An Extraordinary Theory of Objects by Stephanie LaCava: Why it has taken me so long to revisit this book, I have no idea. Objects, their associations and their stories have always fascinated me. I am that person who will want to know where items of interest are from in people's houses and find the mini curations we display and collect so interesting. Naturally this book was always going to appeal to me, and the way in which it discusses anxiety and outsiderness is so refreshing. LaCava's writing is fantastic.

Texturizing Hair Spray x Ouai: This was a buy from Sephora Melbourne last year and I love it. It also acts as a dry shampoo in part which is a major bonus for me too. I spritz it liberally through my hair and it just adds a bit of oomph. Basically it makes me look like I've at least attempted to style my thick, unruly hair. It also helps that it's scented beautifully too. 

Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette x Anastasia Beverly Hills: It's probably no surprise this palette is making an appearance this month. I've really only used this when I've been wearing eyeshadows. They're beautifully pigmented, versatile and easy to blend. Honestly the colours are perfect. This palette's getting a lot of attention but it is so worth it.

Brow Definer* x Mellow Cosmetics: Mellow Cosmetics have only come to my attention recently and it's their brow products I've been loving. Pictured is their brow definer pencil, I have the shade Chocolate. It's not too crazy pigmented but it's just enough to add a bit of something-something to the brows. I love the angled pencils like this too as they're so quick to swipe through, brush with the spoolie and be done. Lazy makeup ftw. 

Harry Styles: Possibly cheating a bit by including this album, given it only came out just over two weeks ago. It's pretty much been in my car's stereo ever since. What I love most is the distinct story the album takes you on from start to finish. The way the tracks are arranged works perfectly and there's a mix of softer ballads with rock and some slight country+alt-pop influences. The songs are catchy as anything too. If you're skeptical because Styles started out in a boy band, put your cynicism aside and give this a listen, you may well be surprised. Standout tracks for me are; Carolina, Only Angel, Ever Since New York and From The Dining Table. 

The Volume Mascara x Kevyn Aucoin: So I feel like a bit of a mascara traitor, having endless flirtations with various formulas and brands. I do feel like in Kevyn Aucoin's Volume mascara though that I've found the one. Now that is a bold, bold claim. For now though I can see why this mascara is so highly regarded. The secret is in the lash fibres, they take things next level. As it's a tubing formula it's super easy to remove at the end of the day as well. I lovelovelove it. 

Pure Clay Mask* x L'Oreal: You know that time in between seasons when your skin packs a sad? That is my skin currently. When I feel like things are looking a bit red or congested I've been reaching for the charcoal clay mask. It's gentle, but it leaves things looking a lot smoother and clearer. 

-What were your May Favourites?

*PR Sample

Hello, happy Monday and happy Auckland Writers Festival week. It's a good week for literary greatness. To kick off the week I'm back with a third installment of my bookish series that I share around these parts. As per usual we have an update on Oprah Sophie's Book Club, a digital recommendation, some things I've read and not discussed elsewhere and, for once, a very slim wishlist...

Book Club: Now for May and June I've selected two books to read and write up on. First we have The Cows* by Dawn O'Porter. Harper Collins very kindly sent me a copy (or two, more on that another time) but I was alway going to read and devour this regardless. I've set this one aside for May and haven't had much of a chance to read it yet. It is addicting and hilarious so far though. Next up we have Too Much and Not the Mood by Durga Chew-Bose which comes at the recommendation of Lena Dunham and Tavi Gevinson, among others. Side note: Tavi interviewed Durga for her ROOKIE podcast and it's worth a listen. I grabbed this when I was in Wellington last month and according to the blurb, Chew-Bose captures 'the inner restlessness that keeps her always on the brink of creative expression'. 

What Olivia Did: Some of you will probably know of Liv as a fashion and beauty extraordinaire but she also dabbles in the odd spot of book themed content. Today I am alerting you all to her channel because she does share the occasional book video and often a recommendation in her monthly favourites. Her Spring Reading List was particularly brilliant and had me jotting down names of the few books I had not read. We have similar taste apparently. You should also all subscribe to Liv because she is lovely and her videos are fantastic. She deserves so much more subscriber love.

Recently Read: / The Clothing of Books by Jhumpa Lahiri. I will be honest, this was on my to-read list but I also could not resist this cover. Look at it! This is a short but idea-laden translation of a speech Lahiri gave in 2015, initially in Italian. It explores the nuances of book covers and how for a writer, they mark the tangibility of ideas and the finality of work. It also talks about the disconnect between cover designer and writer, especially because a lot of the time that side of things isn't a collaborative process.  / The End by Lemony Snicket. So I finally finished my re-read of A Series of Unfortunate Events. It's only taken a few years. Anyway, I did not remember this book or how the series 'ended' as such at all. The Baudelaires and Olaf wash up on an island, where everything ends up eventually. It's home to a tribe of sorts and an almost cornucopia-like array of objects. It also contains many a reference to The Tempest by William Shakespeare. Namely the characters being named after those from the play but also other subtler anecdotes. I really enjoyed it and I'll be curious to see how it is adapted for Netflix eventually.  / Archival issues of Lula magazine. See visual aid. When a follower of mine on Twitter got in touch with me to say she had some Lulas to rehome, I had to grab the issues she had from the Leith Clark era. They have not disappointed either, although I am only reading the Sweet Sixteen issue right now. I want to make their magic last. Also read this for more Lula greatness.

/ Tavi photographed for The Coveteur, see the full story here

The Wishlist of Re-Reads: Instead of making a wishlist of books this month, I want to give mentions to books I hope to revisit soon. / An Extraordinary Theory of Objects by Stephanie Lacava. Objects and their associations+significance has always been something that fascinates me. I pore over what my friends and family display in their homes for this reason. With my eyes people, I'm not a world class sleuth. Lacava's writing explores much of that and the anxieties and feelings of relocating to Paris after a childhood spent in the United States. It's been a while since I read this, maybe three or four years back and it was only after stumbling upon an interview in one of the Lulas I was sent that I remembered I own it.  / The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Secret societies, universities that conjure images of the halls of the school in Dead Poets Society, flawed young men and women. Perfection in other words. I bought this on a whim and was mesmerised by it like everyone who read it before me. It's about time for a reread.  / The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. This book is one of my all time favourites so I tend to read it annually. At least once or twice actually. The way it is written as letters and the way it gets into the psyche of teenaged outsiderness without the romanticism is something I really relate to. As somebody who never felt like they fit in during high school and adolescence in general, this book is so comforting.