Hello, happy Monday & May. As I write this I am going to be honest, I feel a bit disoriented. Most likely what comes from sleeping the weekend away and intermittently resurfacing to read and watch Netflix+drink orange juice. #fluseasonissoglam. But today is not about ailments or even pulpy orange juice which is the jam, today is about five things for May. We have icecream, articles and some TV+film to add to your list...

Duck Island: Aka quite possibly the coolest icecream pop-up store you will ever encounter. I love it so much-I went there twice in a week and had the same thing. Fairy Bread and Blueberry Buttermilk Gooey Butter Cake. Frickin delish. Also-they cater to people with allergy concerns which gets a big tick of approval from me. If you are in Auckland, hit up Ponsonby Road, otherwise they have a couple of locations in Hamilton too. 

both/and: Madeleine often writes some of my favourite thinkpieces but this one last week particularly resonated. It's an idea explored in cognitive behavioural therapy and honestly, such an important tool. And I am not the best at it but seriously, it's such a good way to step back and put things/moments/memories in perspective. "It's learning that sometimes life gives to us by taking something away. That even when things are just f*cking terrible, there are still moments of levity. That it's still a good life even on life's worse day."

Rocketman: "And I think it's gonna be a long long time..." I am so excited for Rocketman, the biopic about Elton John. I mean, watch the trailer-it looks fantastic. Honestly, I don't know a ton about Elton's backstory so I am looking forward to seeing this-to the point I bought advanced screening tickets. Not gonna lie, I kinda want to buy these just for the occasion. Side note: I actually want to buy those anyway because Lana Del Rey vibes. But yes, Rocketman-bring it.

The Gentlewoman: I feel like to read this magazine is an event. You want to savour each page, every word, the design-preferably with a decent beverage & silence. Maybe this is just me but this magazine is a treat and I bloomin' love it. Issue 19 has recently launched, starring Cindy Sherman-whose work I saw at the City Gallery in Wellington a few years back (so good). Also there archive of profiles online is worth casting your eyes over, here. 

The Crown 2.0: Me whenever I literally finish any TV series, "what next? The Crown, again?" This time though-it's more in anticipation for Season 3 because I think we are close. My prediction is it'll drop in July/August on Netflix and I cannot wait. More so to see Helena Bonham Carter & Olivia Colman as Margaret & Queen Elizabeth respectively. I mean, if you've been around this blog a while-you will know I love The Crown and it's such a treat to watch. The costuming+attention to detail in every sense as well=yass.

-What are you loving this May?

The beginning of the year has been a good month for favourites-new and old. From Summer must-haves, to earrings and the rest. Here's what I've been loving throughout January...

Self Tanning Foam  x Bondi Sands: I am a tanning NOVICE. I still make mistakes with it all the time but this product is a godsend. It's so quick and easy to use. It doesn't go streaky, it dries fast. I love it. Sure, I am not the best at applying it and give some of my friends great entertainment as a result. I am getting there though. If it makes my legs less 'translucent' then I am willing to persevere. 

Caramel Hydrating Lip Balm and Sugar Lip Polish x Fresh: I'm not sure if this heat or the matte lipsticks I seem to love are making my lips yuck*. This duo is setting about mending that though. I love this sugar scrub because it feels a lot gentler and is almost a touch balmy on the lips. The caramel balm though is the best! Not too heavy, or sticky and deliciously scented. It legit smells like butterscotch lollies and I LOVE it.

Florida x Lauren Groff: I really struggle with short story collections but lately I've found myself gravitating to them. Lauren Groff's collection, all set in Florida feature a host of flawed characters. As the unpredictable, heat-ridden, sometimes crocodile-laden landscape waxes and wanes around them, so too do their lives begin to unravel. With Groff's writing, you know that things are going to get grotesque but in a vivid, evocative way. I set myself the task of reading one story a day but oftentimes I'd find myself reaching to turn the pages on another story. Honorary mention for books this month: Winter** x Ali Smith, see my review here. 

Gold Earrings x Lovisa: Props to my friend Eve for the influencing here. Lately I've become kinda obsessed with gold earrings. These hoops are lush and I've been wearing them somewhat obsessively since buying them. Also on high rotation in the hoop side of things are my Hydrangea Ranger hoops, similar here. 

Caramel Melange Voyager Palette x Zoeva: Gosh dang Zoeva shadows are good. Like one swipe and you could be done levels of good. I love these shades. Paired with pressed glitter and lashings of liner and mascara. As JVN would say, "yass honey!"

Gratitude Journal x Kikki K: I'm sure gratitude journals are one of those things some people may find a little strange but I am all for them. Also for positivity in 2019. Anyway, this Kikki K one is designed so each day you write out three things you are grateful for. I am not going to lie, some days this comes more effortlessly than others. That being said I always make sure I do this each day, regardless of my mood, the day's events etc. Small steps but it's also a way to remember the smaller nuances of life you may otherwise forget. 

The Twenties Club: My go-to website for beauty, politics, fashion and basically, everything. If this twenty-something wants to read about it, Madeleine is bound to have an article already prepared for that. There's always fresh new things to read and I highly recommend you give her site a visit and subscribe to the newsletter whilst you are there.

-What have you loved during January?

*For lack of a better word.

**Review copy.

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It kinda sorta maybe blows my mind that it is now August and it's time for another brilliant lady to take over Women and Their Books. This month, we're keeping it local and I'm stoked she was keen to be featured. Madeleine Walker is the brainchild behind The Twenties Club, source of inspiration, laugh-out-loud funny stories, payday treats and much more. It's one of the few websites I still frequent daily to see if there's new stories to peruse and I know a lot of my girlfriends feel the same way. We can't get enough of it. Today Maddy will be sharing some insights on the books that have shaped her. Enjoy, and as always, if you want to nominate someone to be featured here let me know...

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What are you currently reading?

-I Feel Bad About My Neck x Nora Ephron. I've felt guilty about not reading it earlier because I knew that I would love it. So far it has lived up to my expectations!

What is your most read book?

-I'm not sure if this is embarrassing or not, but Looking For Alaska x John Green. I've read it approximately eight times. I went through a stage where I would read it every Summer. Before that book I never enjoyed reading. I've also read Too Much & Not The Mood x Durga Chew-Bose a few times since first reading it last year, it's covered in my scribbles and underlines and notes, and I know that I will come back to it time and time again throughout my twenties. 

What is your favourite book by a female author and why?

-It's a tie between Too Much & Not The Mood x Durga Chew-Bose and Everything I Know About Love x Dolly Alderton. Durga and Dolly make me proud to be a woman. 

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Is there a book you wish you had written?

-Anything by Zadie Smith, Nora Ephron, Dolly Alderton or Durga Chew-Bose. Any time a female writer talks about the female experience in all its complexities and ugly truths it viscerally affects me and lingers with me for days. That's all a writer could ever hope to achieve.

If you were going to write your own book, what would it be about?

-I actually have something that I often think about writing, but I will keep those cards close to my chest for a little longer. For now it resides in the Notes of my iPhone.

Finally, what books are currently on your wishlist?

-I need to finish Feel Free x Zadie Smith which is a collection of some of her most famous essays. I started it, but because Zadie is so intelligent and articulate it's quite dense and time-consuming and I'm not nearly intelligent enough to finish that book in a single sitting. I also want to read Can You Tolerate This? x Ashleigh Young.

Be sure to give The Twenties Club a peruse, subscribe to the newsletter and check out Madeleine's Instagram while you are there too. 

-All images c/o The Twenties Club, shot by Holly Burgess.