It's been way too long since a post solely devoted to books made an appearance on this blog so it was about time that was amended. I feel like I've been reading more than usual lately-I like to read on my trains to and from work but also occasionally on my lunch break and at the end of the day. Basically, any time I have free time I'll either be reading or re-watching The Crown on Netflix. You get the gist. Books are great, paperbacks and hardbacks not e-readers are life. Moving right along...

Book Club: My self-established book club on Goodreads has kinda taken an extended hiatus. I have been reading some other book club's recommendations though. For Our Shared Shelf, I've been reading The Handmaid's Tale which for some reason is taking me forever. Side note: I'm going to attempt to finish that in the next couple of weeks so I can report back but so far, I am still obsessed with Atwood's writing. For Between Two Books, I have been reading Too Much & Not the Mood by Durga Chew Bose. Ironically, I feel like I have to be in the mood to read this one but the experience is rewarding as I have several pages bookmarked and underlined. I also recently grabbed one of their past recommendations, Tristimania by Jay Griffiths but I am yet to read it. I will report back here or over on Goodreads though.

Time Out's Book Gifts: One of my two favourite bookstores in Auckland, Time Out have recently launched some rather rad book gifts. You can select a year of books subscriptions; monthly or bimonthly and will receive a book tailored to your reading tastes, a hand selected bundle of books, a gift registry for not so subtle hint dropping and more. Check them out here. I'm not going to lie, that subscription service is tempting me so much. 

Recently Read: / The Wonder by Emma Donoghue. This book is really outside my literary comfort zone, being historical fiction. It addresses topics like mental illness, eating disorders, religious imagery and the fascination with the supernatural or the unexplained. While the story is fictional, it was interesting to think about how illnesses like eating disorders were very much a new concept in 1850. I can see why so many people love Donoghue's writing. She flawlessly combines the grotesque with the beautiful and her prose is extremely compelling. / The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson. My Jacqueline Wilson kick continues and I was particularly keen to revisit this one. I remember I used to own it but couldn't really remember much beyond the fact the mother had lots of tattoos, hence the title. I'm pretty sure it used to scare me too, given it deals with manic depression which I really wouldn't have comprehended. That being said, Wilson takes the subject matter extremely seriously and doesn't attempt to condescend or patronise her younger audience. I can only imagine how effective this book would be for a child facing a similar situation.  / Various magazines. Let me know if you want to see articles I've enjoyed, provided I can find the links online and/or know some I've loved lately. 

The Wishlist: / Olympia Le Tan, The Story of O.L.T. I've flicked through this book briefly in store and it is beautiful. Not only that it's packed to the brim with visual inspiration and I want it so badly for my bookshelf and eyes. / What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton. I actually have another of Hillary's memoirs on my shelves and I did start it and loved what I'd read so far but its her upcoming book I'm intrigued by. I think the title says it all really and her publishers are promising this to be her most candid book yet. / Vivienne Westwood. After reading and rating Westwood's diaries last year, I really want to read her memoirs. There's not much more to it than that really.

-What have you read and liked recently?

August is well and truly underway and with that comes another of my roundup posts. I feel like I need to preface this post and apologise if things are a bit lackluster on the blog front. I'll try my hardest to keep things consistent but at the moment I'm still trying to suss out how to manage my time outside of work. Bear with me! Anyway, five things for August; a magazine discovery, a makeup marvel, podcast finery and more...

The Sunday Girl: After bemoaning the lack of magazine outlets in Auckland CBD, I discovered a newsagents close to my work that has quite the selection. Props to those of you on Twitter who pointed me in the direction of it. I grabbed the latest issue of Glamour UK (August) and also The Sunday Girl, pictured. The latter is one I've spied on Liv's many channels and liked the look of. From the quick flick-through I had on my afternoon tea break, it looks super promising. Check out their site here and their dreamy Instagram feed here. 

Saying hello to Mecca Maxima+Mecca Max: In case you missed it, Mecca Maxima landed in Auckland last week and sent a range of beauty lovers into an excitable frenzy. Case in point, whenever I've walked past at lunchtime this week and even after work, the store has been filled to the brim with people. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you why having a Mecca Maxima around is a good/perhaps dangerous thing. Along with last week's launch which coincidentally fell on my birthday, Mecca Max, the new and extensive brand dropped. I still haven't had a chance to look at this range properly, see previous sentences but I did pick up the light bronzer. It's all reasonably affordable and the branding+thought behind the entire line is definitely worth noting. 

Podcast Loves: To break up the work day a bit I alternate between listening to music and podcasts every now and again. Solange, Lorde & Florence+The Machine are my go-to for music whilst I work. Podcast wise-I basically search for people/guests I want to listen to and go from there but I have found a podcast I really love. Glamour mag's Hey It's Ok is one of my favourites. Start with Jennifer Saunders' episode. You're welcome. I also recommend the Penguin UK podcast episode with Alexandra Shulman and Richard E Grant. So. Good. Last but not least, this episode with Scarlett Curtis on Emma Gannon's podcast is worth a listen.

Zoe and Morgan: I've been obsessed with Zoe and Morgan's gorgeous pieces for a while and was lucky enough to receive this for my birthday. Okay there was some very unsubtle hinting involved. I love it so, so much. It gives me Stevie Nicks vibes, never a bad thing and because it was a birthday gift it has that sentimentality attached to it too. Good luck getting me to wear any other necklaces now. 

Books & Things: So you may have noticed book blogging has really taken a backseat lately. In fact my last book post was nearly a month ago (!). Whoops. So just a quick PSA, the book blogging is still a thing. In fact I have a book themed post coming Monday. If you ever want more of a glimpse into what I'm reading, you can check out my bookstagram, which is dedicated mostly to books, naturally. You'll also find the odd Rory Gilmore picture that seem to attract a ton of likes, a mystery to me. 

When it comes to beauty, I'm sure it's no secret that I am a bit of a fan. It's always been one of those things along with fashion that have piqued my interest. Thanks to this blog I'm fortunate to be in the position where I get to try and be in the loop about new releases, brands and the like. Right now it feels like every other week a new launch is debuting and we're certainly not deprived in the variety department. Today though, rather than focusing on the new I wanted to shine the spotlight on some repurchases aka the ones I will continually buy, unless they've been discontinued, more on that in a minute, or I switch loyalties. Many I've repurchased recently but some I pick up time and time again. They're tried and tested staples as far as I'm concerned and I love 'em. Here's why...

Sugar Crush Body Scrub x Soap & Glory: This must be my third or fourth tub of Sugar Crush, a fruity, sweet body treat from Soap and Glory. Finally it's more accessible now we have a Mecca Maxima in Auckland, carrying the S&G body product selection. It's definitely a scent that will not be for everyone but I love it. Compared to other scrubs it feels less abrasive and more gentle on your limbs. At $14 this is quite the bargain and a little goes a long way so this ends up lasting me a good few months. 

The Comforter Shower Cream x Lush: I'm still wondering if Lush HQ are playing a cruel trick on us all, announcing the discontinuing of this shower cream. In case it's not obvious, I am not thrilled. Shower creams are the perfect accompaniment after you've scrubbed and lathered up. If you're like me and find body moisturiser a bit of a faff, this is for you. It also happens to smell absolutely delightful and I'm really unimpressed that it's leaving the shelves. 

Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base x NARS: So I have lost count of the number of times I've repurchased this eyeshadow primer. A quick scan through the archives here tells me I've been using it for four years now though. I've spoken about it countless times on here so in brief, if eyeshadow disappears from your eyelids like it's going out of fashion, get this. It's the best primer I've tried and nothing else comes close.

Lemongrass Soap x Ecostore: This'll probably seem random and I'm sure some of you are like, "soap, Sophie...what the heck." Hear me out, I've found some soaps seem to not agree with my skin and this one is designed with no nasty ingredients. It's a lot less harsh and the lemongrass scent is so invigorating. I also like Ecostore's vanilla and the grapefruit+mint soaps as well. Highly recommend.

Luxe Eye Blender Brush x Zoeva: Zoeva brushes are one of those products that are all over the internet and I know they work with a few bloggers+vloggers so I do take all their products with a grain of salt. That being said I think that these brushes are superb, the ones I've tried at least and I think the quality+price point is brilliant. The luxe eye blender brushes are my go-to for depositing colour onto the lids and then using the curved edges to blend it out. They're super soft and well designed. I love 'em. Pro tip: Side note-ha, hardly a pro but anyway, buy them when Sephora NZ are having a discount day. 

-Have you used any of these products before? What did you think of them?

Today I turn 25. Twenty. Five. It amuses me that I had teachers who were this age at school and I remember thinking they were so much older than I am. The reality was I was maybe 16/17 at that time. 25 doesn't feel all that old but at the same time it feels like a freakin' lot of living. If you're a longtime reader around these parts you'll know I am a sentimental soul. Today I thought I'd put together a post of 25 things I've learnt in 25 years for something fun to look at in years gone by, selfish blogging at its finest, but also because I love reading these types of posts and articles elsewhere...

1) Remember to look up. I mean literally. We're probably all guilty of mindlessly wandering with our heads peering down at our phones. Heck, I noticed on my train last night that the whole car was full of people looking at their screens. You never know what you might be missing. I get a lot of my creative inspiration just by taking in what is around me, seeing what people are wearing, noticing a colour on a building that I love and will subsequently make me smile. That and the sky has the tendency to look rather beautiful; millennial pink sometimes even. Anyway, look up! 

2) You can always make time for what you enjoy. Too often I hear "you read so much, I wish I could read like you do." It could just be a case of training yourself to sit down with a book or perhaps even allotting time in the day to read. For instance, I try to unwind from all tech around 9.30 and read for half an hour or so. That and I try to read on my train trips to and from work which is another reasonable chunk of time.

3) Be kind to one another. It goes without saying. You never truly know what's going on in someone else's mind unless of course they tell you. That and kindness goes a long way. Compliment someone on their amazing style and it might just make their day a bit brighter. Send someone a handwritten note or flowers just because. Kindness is never going to go out of fashion. 

4) Don't feel pressured to hold on to threads of relationships that were never that strong to begin with. I've had my fair share of toxic friendships and it goes without saying, they never left me feeling that great. If someone treats you badly, the relationship is one sided or you've just naturally drifted, don't feel obligated to maintain that. There's plenty of new people around to meet and come into your life. 

5) "If my life wasn't funny it'd just be true, and that's unacceptable." -Carrie Fisher. I think there's great power in being able to find the funny. My life has had its moments, good and not so good but I find being able to laugh and maintain my sense of humour during the toughest times is such a godsend. Alway find the funny and you're set.

6) Caring a lot isn't a bad thing all the time. I care a lot. Perhaps sometimes about things I shouldn't have but also ideas that are important to me and of course the people I love and admire. 

7) Writing is cathartic. I will get ideas at the most bizarre times and places but I always, always note them down. I write lots of ideas and musings down that I am going to try to make sense of someday but also because I find writing so therapeutic. Something about putting pen to paper relaxes me, it always has.

8) Listen to the music you want to and don't care what anyone else thinks about it. Music preferences are such a personal, intimate thing. It's also wonderful and life is too short to listen to music you don't really like. Just because it's in the top forty or everyone's obsessed with it, doesn't mean you have to pretend to be in on it as well. See: 95% of the music I listened to in high school up to the age of 17. Cringe.

9) Do not be afraid to ask for help if you're struggling. I mean in the mental sense more than anything. Please reach out if you ever feel at a loss or confused about the chaos your mind might inflict upon you. Speaking to a trained professional or someone you deeply trust can help you unpack the thoughts you have and realise why they may be so prevalent. It took me a long time to view seeing a counsellor as not admitting defeat so I know how hard this can be. Honestly though my counsellor is amazing and I am so thankful I found her. 

10) If you want to eat ice cream for breakfast, DO IT. Dessert for dinner? Yes please. We need to turn the tables every now and again.

11) Travel. It will enrich your mind and allow you the opportunity to escape, discover and enjoy.

12) Wear makeup for you. Nobody else. Obviously if you don't want to wear it at all, disregard this one. I wear makeup for myself and view it as a kind of armour. A bold lipstick makes me feel like I can handle anything and I know that may sound superficial and silly but it just does. 

13) Don't forget to stop and give yourself credit every now and again. When it feels like everyone else is off building their dream houses or getting married and doing "adult" things it can be easy to feel inadequate. Is this just a twenty-something problem or a societal conditioning problem? Regardless, what I am getting at is be proud of your achievements. All of them.

14) Find something you're passionate about and remain tremendously interested in it. Loosely paraphrasing Julia Child here but for me that is magazines. Oh hey glossies *waves*.

15) Don't be afraid to say no. Again, need to practice what I preach because I certainly went through a "just say yes" phase. Good in theory, not so good in retrospect. If you don't want to go out to that shady bar or would rather stay inside with Netflix than go out on a Saturday night, you do you. Don't feel guilty! 

16) Coffee might not be the elixir of youth but it is a ritual best savoured on early mornings. Hi commute life, here's looking at you.

17) If the shoes are broken, chances are they're going to continue breaking and yes, you will need to buy new ones. Case in point: I've binned two pairs of shoes in the last two weeks whose soles fell to bits.

18) If in doubt, ask yourself what would _________ insert name of your idols here do. For me that'd be; Alexandra, Alexa, Florence, Helena-I could be here all day.

19) Music and literature in tandem and separately can cure a multitude of ills.

20) See also chocolate.

21) and fresh flowers.

22) You won't be able to ever please and be liked by everyone. That's okay. Don't try to achieve unanimous appeal. It will exhaust and bore you.

23) Courtesy of the lady I want to interview most; "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that." -JK Rowling

24) Wear the crazy statement earrings, shoes, glittery eyeshadow, whatever. Clothing and the like should not be dictated by a time of day.

25) Remind yourself daily to be kind to yourself. Always.

It's officially August; birthday month and naturally a month where I get a bit nostalgic, you have been warned. It ends up being quite a busy month, with several friends and family celebrating their birthdays but also fashion week on the horizon among other things. To recap, here is what I set out to achieve last month. For the most part, I did succeed with this apart from the writing side. Actually that isn't true-I just remembered I did a fair bit of this at the beginning of July but then y'know the whole job thing happened although really that is no excuse. Anyway, August goals. Keeping this short and sweet for now...

'Adult' Properly: This might seem a somewhat self critical place to start. In fact it is but I want to stress that it's more about maintaining the illusion than the legitimacy. This whole 9-5 shenanigans is very new territory to me and I want to get better at managing my time, both to/from work and then again when I get home. It truly doesn't feel like there's enough hours in the day and things like unwinding, answering emails and to an extent looking after this blog, catching up with friends and the like are falling to the wayside. Not good. That and I am not an early morning person so I really need to have everything ready in the morning. Yesterday for instance I forgot my phone and sunglasses (semi nonessential but also, why). It is probably time to reinstate my weekly planner slash make better lists when I'm not in a dazed, end of the day state. Advice on a postcard please.

Fixate on the good: Last month some not-so-good things went down. Many were out of my control yet I still felt liable and let it cloud my mindset at times. That being said there were also some brilliant moments and I maintained my sense of humour+ability to laugh in spite of the unpredictable chaos. It is the latter I want to focus on and be mindful of, rather than the former. Daily journalling and coming up with five good things each day certainly helps but I also want to pause more during the day to mentally note when something does give me that spark of excitement or happiness.

Start a travel fund: Maybe it's because I spend a lot of my time looking at travel documents now or perhaps it's just because I feel like my Instagram feed is filled daily with pictures of far off lands. Let's be honest, holidays are more often than not the best. Anyway, I want to go on a mini-break to Sydney sometime soon so I need to start saving them $$. Plus I have dreams of going further afield eventually. The irony is that flying gives me worse anxiety now but it's worth it in the end.

-Have you got any goals for August?