How is it the end of May!? It feels like literally last week I was falling out of bed in a slightly jet-lagged stupor in Sydney. It was time to start thinking about what I've loved in May and for the first time in a while it was quite an easy choice. So what made the cut this month? Read on..

Colourpop Eyeshadows in La La and Sequin-In case my frequent raving didn't get it across, I'm a bit obsessed with these eyeshadows. Cream eyeshadows in general are my favourite to be honest. These two colours from Colourpop are really stunning. Sequin, the coppery bronze is my favourite but La La, the rose gold is a close second. If you're yet to try Colourpop I highly recommend you start with their eyeshadows.

Real Techniques #200 Oval Shadow Brush*-Let's all take a moment to marvel at my flawless dirty brush. In seriousness, this brush is a thing of beauty. It reminds me a lot of the Mac #217, just denser and larger. It's perfect for both packing on colour and blending shadows out really easily. One thing that annoys me about this brush is they don't stand up like the other RT brushes do, although it redeems itself because they're designed to not roll off tables, benches etc. 

Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder in Vanille-This powder is fabulous. It's matte but not overly so. As a result you aren't left with a cakey, obviously powdered looking complexion. I love that it's in a secure compact with an accessible mirror too. It makes it perfect for on the go touchups as well. 

The Heir by Kiera Cass-I can't remember if I've mentioned The Selection series on my blog before but I am obsessed with this series. The fourth book follows the life of Eadlyn Schreave, aka 'the heir' as she gets ready to face her own selection. Inevitably, some drama ensues. While this story didn't follow America as closely it was still really good. Eadlyn is quite different to America so it didn't feel too similar reading her story. It received four out of five stars on GoodReads from me because I liked it that much. Here's hoping a follow-up isn't too far away.

West Elm Heart Bud Vase-This was one of my Sydney purchases and I'm so happy I picked this one up. The vase is covered in teensy little gold foil-leaf hearts. It's just so beautiful and I'm looking forward to putting flowers in this come Springtime. 

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Celebrated-There's just something about Tarte's blushers which make them so irresistible. It could be the gorgeous packaging or intricate designs. In reality, I think it's the fact all the colours are so wearable and also ridiculously long-wearing. Seriously, these blushers stick around. I'm obsessed and now own four of them. Yep, I have a problem...

Karen Walker Wreath Ring-This was one of my purchases with a voucher I won from BeautyDirectory last month. The wreath ring has been on my wishlist for the longest time and I could finally justify getting it. I really love Karen Walker's jewellery, in particular the rings and I tend to wear them a lot more than any other jewellery these days. The design of this one is a bit fancier than the simpler bands she does but I love it.

Bumble & Bumble Pret A Powder-I described this as a hair saver last week and it really is. If you're like me and find hair washing a bit too tedious you'll like this one. Part dry-shampoo, part style extender*, this helps to disguise oily roots and lifeless, second day hair. It's so lightweight and doesn't leave you with an annoying whitecast as well. Wins all round.

*What does that even mean? Cryptic hair product lingo...

-Have an utterly awesome weekend everybody! I'm not gonna lie, this week's been a bit on the not-so-awesome side and at times it's left me feeling a little bit blue. Thankfully it's a long weekend so I can recharge the batteries. I'll be listening to Florence's new cd (out today!) on repeat, having a bit of a DVD watching sesh and I'm going to a lil' movie screening with Hannah. x

I've seen this tag over on the lovely Laura and Lena's blogs and thought it'd be a nice little life, update-y thing for me to do maybe once or twice a year. It's something a bit different but I guess it lets you learn a bit more about me and what I'm thinking and doing. Here's my insights..

Making: Journal pages for my gratitude journal and party invitations for my brother's upcoming birthday. *Side note: I say making invites, I'm sticking the information onto illustrated cards with double sided tape..

Cooking: As of this evening: spaghetti bolognese. It was good guys. 

Drinking: Water.

Reading: The Goldfinch by Donna Tarte and Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella. 

Wanting: Frends Headphones! I tried some on in Sydney and they were awesome.

Looking: At the clock.

Playing: The singles released from Florence & The Machine's upcoming album. Two days until it's out.

Wishing: To be overseas on holiday.

Enjoying: This week. Even though it's been relatively busy, knowing it's a long weekend makes it that little bit better.

Waiting: For Florence & The Machine's new album, just in case that wasn't obvious enough.

Liking: Copper detailing, particularly in stationery and home decor. 

Wondering: What to put on my pinboard when I redo it later today.

Loving: Colourpop eyeshadows. They're so cheap and such stunning colours.

Pondering: What life will look like in a month's time.

Considering: Getting a tattoo. I jest. No I am considering going to see Robbie Williams but I don't think I'd be able to find anyone to go with so it's not likely to happen..

Watching: New Girl, season 2. I'm nearly done with it but I'm a little obsessed with this show. It's crazy and a little bit over the top but it's so hilarious. 

Marveling: At pretty pictures on Instagram.

Needing: New pyjamas. I'm eyeing up those Toy Story ones in Peter Alexander. Once a Disney kid, always a Disney kid..

Wearing: My leaver's jersey which I think is ugly, but it's ridiculously warm so it comes out in Winter and trackpants (see above) but again, Winter wear and a Katy Perry concert tee. 

Following: readbyzoe, a booktuber, 'grammer, Good Reader and the rest. It makes me so happy that there's a book community online so whenever I find likeminded people it's the best.

Noticing: How little I miss people who I used to think the world of.

Knowing: That it's never too late to start over and be+do what you've always dreamed of. Happiness is so important and doesn't deserve to be shoved aside.

Thinking: About what I'm going to read next.

Admiring: Beautiful interiors on my Pinterest board

Sorting: Out my extremely messy desk. Papers, notebooks and miscellaneous things everywhere.

Buying: Some cute lil' things from Etsy. 

Getting: Excited for the weekend! I get to see Hannah and go to the movies.

Bookmarking: Nothing. I don't bookmark anything because I find it so annoying to do on Mac's. That's such a first world problem undoubtedly, but I just cannot be bothered. 

Disliking: The cold! As much as I like coats, scarves and boots weather, I could do without the unnecessary freezing temperatures. 

Opening: Mecca Cosmetica's latest catalogue and feeling shocked that the By Terry Ombre Blackstars weren't dubbed a beauty icon for the year. To be fair, there were no eyeshadow products but still, this surprised me. 

Giggling: At New Girl. Although not the last episode I watched because that was far too many feels. 

Feeling: Excited about things that are coming up.

Snacking: On Whittakers Sea Salt & Caramel Brittle chocolate. Too darn good. 

Coveting: Gold dotted cushions. Well, probably only one. I think Kmart have some.

Helping: Other bloggers and sharing my experiences.

Hearing: My kitty cat purring away in the background. 

-Congratulations if you made it to the end of this rather lengthy list! I hope you are all doing good. Let me know what you are up to in the comments-what are you reading? What are you coveting? x

Another month, another cardboard envelope of Happy Mail goodness from A Beautiful Mess. This month seems to have been all about typography with the odd illustrated graphic thrown in for good measure. This month's pack is sold out now, in fact it sold out before it arrived. Side note: Would you still like to see these posts? I feel kinda mean blogging about pretty stationery that is no longer purchasable. Anyway, on with the May Happy Mail...

This month marks the return of the copper foil which made me happy. Funny that...While I liked last month's silvery foil, I felt like it was a little bit trickier to read on some of the designs. One of this month's specials was this wifi password print. I think this is so cute and home is where the wifi is after all. There's also the 'you're golden' card which I love and am saving for my pinboard because of its positive vibes. I also really like the eye print card above as well as the birthday card and that succulent card in the bottom corner. The one card I'm a bit 'meh' about in this photo is the dance step one. I think it was for the foxtrot but it just didn't appeal to me as much as these other prints.

It wouldn't be Happy Mail without a lil' bit of colour now would it? That sewing themed card is reserved for my Mum who loves quilting and craft. I know she'll love it. The motivational/straight up print is going to up somewhere I can see it. I'm thinking of framing it for my desk actually. We shall see. I love that pretzel card and also the phrase stickers. There were some in the first Happy Mail I received and I love using them so they'll be handy. There was also emoji stickers this month and a postcard to send just to say hey. 

-So that was this month's Happy Mail. If you receive it, which piece was your favourite? Also let me know if you want me to continue with these posts. If Happy Mail continues to sell out every month I might just keep it to Instagram or my Facebook page only, so I don't feel too mean. 

The Hair Saver-I'm not sure if this is just a #thickhairproblem but I genuinely loathe washing my hair. It's so tedious! Well now I've found something to use when I feel like going an extra day between washes. Pret A Powder from Bumble & Bumble does the trick. Part dry shampoo, part style extender, it helps to disguise second day hair. There's no white cast left in your hair either which I love given I have dark brown hair. I'm so glad I bought this and will definitely grab the full sized once my mini's all used up.

Finding Audrey-Surprise mail can often be the best kind, more so if it's in the form of a book. The lovely folk over at Penguin+Random House sent me Sophie Kinsella's upcoming novel to read. It's appealing to me already because #1-it's written by a Sophie and #2-it's YA. This'll be on my June reading list so I'll talk about it more then. In the meantime you can check it out here. 

Gourmet Chocolate in NZ-Apparently us New Zealanders get awfully excited when local chocolate brand Whittakers invent anything really. Well they've done it again with a new, artisan line of chocolates. I tried the Sea Salt & Caramel Brittle flavour and it is amazing. So amazing that it seems to be selling out everywhere! They also have other flavour combinations including oolong tea, pear and manuka honey and more. Add one to your grocery basket this weekend. 

Shauna speaks the truth-After meeting Shauna last December it became apparent that she is a wealth of knowledge. This week she posted an article about the path to success and the extent of the journey to landing your dream job. As she says in the title, there really is no shortcut to greatness and this article really resonated with me this week. It was exactly what I needed to read too so thanks Shauna! x

Foundation decisioning solved-This is more of a #PSA than anything. I finally chose a new foundation this week. My Chanel one's nearly all gone and while I love it, it's just a bit too pricey to replace at the moment. I ended up going for the Nars All Day Luminous Weightless foundation which I'd used two tester pots of and decided I did quite like it. No doubt you'll spy a review around these parts at some point.

*Have a fabulous weekend everyone! This week ended up being quite busy, which is never a bad thing tbh. This afternoon I'm off to a Benefit brow event which should be fun. Tomorrow I'm going to watch Pitch Perfect 2 and then Rent at the local theatre in the evening which I'm looking forward to. See y'all on Monday with another fresh post! x

This may be dejavu but to know me is to know I am obsessed with magazines. In fact, I can scarcely remember a time when that hasn't been the case. In all honesty, I don't buy as many as I used to but I still read a lot, whether it's my own or someone else's. Today I've rounded up some of my old favourites, a new discovery and a rediscovery for you in one, not-so-glossy package...

Yen-When I first started reading Yen it was relatively new and like most publications it took a little bit of time to find its footing. Now it has and it's become one of my favourite magazines. For anyone who likes reading about creative pursuits and culture, you'll probably enjoy this one. They always include a travel section which is worth having a look at as well. 

Collective-Side note: I can't work out if this magazine is called Collective or Renegade Collective. Anyway, I found this magazine last week in Sydney airport and as it was one I'd not seen before I decided to buy it. Apparently this is available in New Zealand though, I'm just not sure where exactly. It's described as "the magazine for following your dreams" and it certainly is inspiring, with the odd inspirational quote scattered throughout. This month's issue has an interview with Anna Kendrick as well and plenty of dreamy photography.

Frankie-You probably know by now about my longtime love for Frankie so I won't harp on too much. I haven't actually had time to read the latest issue yet. There's stories about glitter, a teeny tiny house in Christchurch, why Mondays really do suck and more. There's also the usual calendar/poster inside which you can stick on the wall or reuse as wrapping paper. Frankie is best enjoyed over a cup of tea and a delicious treat so add this to your Saturday morning ritual.

Allure-To be honest I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this magazine. It's crammed with quite a few adverts which I find off-putting but given it's about makeup, sometimes it is nice to pick up. It's a great one to discover upcoming beauty products, particularly from the drugstore. The March issue (yep, we're that far behind in lil' ol NZ) has a stunning editorial with Kendall Jenner as well. There's even a cameo from Marcel, the monkey on Friends. This magazine's definitely one for the true beauty obsessive so if you love makeup and skincare you'll probably enjoy this one.

-Have you read any of these magazines before? Which magazines do you read and like?