I'm a big K-pop fan and this summer has been a particularly great one for launches and reboots. As summer is now officially over, I thought I'd pop some of my favourite songs from the last few months up here for others to discover/obsess over/fall into the endless pit of dreaminess/sign away their lives to being a lame fangirl.

(Also, the use of the term "k-pop" is being used a little loosely here as a couple acts are probably better described as rock or R&B bands but all are South Korean music groups/artists.)

May Favourites

Well, horrendously late as this may (heh) be, here's my May Favourites 2015! There's been lots of beauty products that I've liked but I've limited myself to only mentioning the ones I'm truly loving for now, I'm sure the rest will pop up in some other guise or another. In fact, my favourites this month are mostly cultural in nature; music, anime and television. And then there's the appearance of an absolute pillar of beauty in Dublin.

Ore Monogatari (My Love Story is the official English title) is the only anime this month. I often feel I've run through all the anime in the genres I like and I didn't think I'd like this one at all. But something made me give it a go anyway and, damn, if I was wrong! Charming, funny and very sweet, it tells the tale of Takeo, a giant mountain of a teenager who frightens women and girls but is adored for his physical prowess by other boys. His scary appearance belies his very gentle and kind nature. In fact, he's prone to saving strangers on a regular basis without expecting any kind of compensation. When he saves the beautiful Yamato from being groped on the train, she falls in love with him almost instantaneously. Best of all, she loves him, not in spite of how he looks but for it. She genuinely finds him handsome. Cannot recommend this enough, it'll make you happy.



On a very different end of the spectrum is Outlander, which has featured on my favourites before (I think) but has since come back and finished for the season. I was dying for every episode which I find less and less common a trend. If you haven't seen it, go now! It features time-travelling, period drama, beautiful Scottish landscapes (and a particularly beautiful Scottish man) and lots of intensity. The major thing I've taken away from it is that "mo chroí" (my heart in Irish and Scottish) is defo my new favourite pet name.



Then there is the music. I've been going mad for Sorority Noise, a kinda garage rock, fuzzy sort of band that very much remind me of early Weezer. And, again with the opposite ends of a spectrum thing, I'm digging the new EXO album, "Exodus," and its repackage so hard. The danciest, slickest thing I've heard in ages, it's got crazy-on point styling and ridiculously good choreography and MVs.





As I said, I've limited myself with the beauty favourites, so I have just one make-up, one skincare and one service favourite. The make-up pick is Topshop's Cream Blush in Head Over Heels (£7.00). I already spoke about it in my post on their 5 Years of Topshop Beauty Collection but it's basically a really pretty, natural shade that is light on the skin and blends easily and beautifully. The skincare item that I'm mad for at the moment is Caudalie's Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle Eye and Lip Cream (€36.66*). It's immediately soothing and feels just wonderful on the skin. That it doubles up for eye and lip is especially useful for travelling.

And the service favourite is Tropical Popical, a Dublin nail salon that is quirky, fun and well-established. I dropped in at the start of the month on a Saturday and, luckily, snagged a drop-in appointment. I'd just gotten my hair cut and, while I liked the result, the hairdresser announced there and then that he was cutting six inches off. I'd been thinking about getting rid of a bit for a while but it was around seven years of growth gone instantaneously and wasted on the floor. I'd felt like I couldn't really say no, given how quiet the salon was and how yerman was acting like I was being silly just for questioning him. As I say, I liked the result, I was just a little fragile and taken aback. Which is why the kindness, professionalism and charm of Tropical Popical and their staff made me feel loads better. I got the mini-mani which is reasonable at €15 and I would highly recommend! Great experience all around.

So, that's what I was feeling in May. I'd love to hear about what you guys were into!

(* Press Sample. All opinions are my own.)

*

Liked this post? Want more?

Follow me here using google friend connect or bloglovin.

Or follow me on tumblr - twitter - facebook.

November Favourites

It's now well into December but I still wanted to do a "favourites" post for November. It's something I've done sporadically so far and without connection to particular months. While I think categorising things by set time periods is a bit redundant (don't get me started on using centuries as umbrella terms for styles or cultural movements), I also think it's a useful way of organising the posts and encouraging me to make them more coherent and regular.

The underlining note to my blog is echoed in the format of these favourites. Rather than exploring things merely related to fashion or beauty (not that there's anything wrong with those sorts of favourites), I group all the cultural, creative and design things that I've been vibing in one place because, to me, they all feed into each other. The music I'm listening to can affect how I dress or the book I'm reading will decide how I do my hair. It's all connected and to separate them seems unnatural.


Chanel Coco Rouge Shine in Bohéme

I blog about make-up and beauty but I don't wear make-up every day or anything near it. This may seem odd but make-up is something I like to wear but don't feel obliged to use. However, if I feel like I should, or want to, dress up for something yet can't be arsed to do the whole routine, I'll fill in my eyebrows, do a wee bit of concealing and pop on some lip colour. This lipstick has become my go-to. It's not matte so it doesn't catch on dry patches and goes on smoothly. It's hydrating. It's a gorgeous shade and doesn't look like you're trying too hard. But it still adds a bit of polish to your look. It's not at all high-maintenance - Basically it's everything I could ask for from a lipstick.


Akatsuki no Yona

Finding a new anime is a bit of a miracle. So many are filled with unbearable clichés or unlikeable female characters. When I find a good one that happens to also be a grand, sweeping adventure, filled with amazing art, funny, historical, with a great female lead, scored well...I am overjoyed. This anime recounts the adventures of Princess Yona after her father is killed, a childhood friend and love betrays her and her country is thrown into upheaval. Yona has to deal with the real world and difficulties for the first time which is a relateable parallel for anyone in their twenties. Plus, it's funny as hell. And the opening and closing themes are great.

Keaton Henson

Keaton Henson has been the soundtrack to my November. Especially his latest instrumental album. There's something old world about the talented bastard that's both frustratingly idealised and wonderfully romantic. I love the subjects that he gravitates towards, his expression as an artist all around and his voice. Plus, his latest EP came out on my birthday. That has to be fate, right?

Keats

Another Englishman with a similar name. Another love of late. I'm a sucker for the Romantics yet, for some reason, Keats was new to me. But thank God! What a discovery, a revelation. There's something so beyond and of his time about his work. It's the ideals of that era with form more modern, titillation and flirtation not in keeping with his peers. A particular favourite du moment:

 

Alexander Wang x H&M

You all know how excited I was for the collection and now I have it in my hands, I wear it on the reg. Most often I wear my cropped black pants but the iconic Wang jumper has a rather special place in my heart. It hangs in my room where it's almost a piece of art.

Paul Costelloe Living for Dunnes Stores Candle in Fig and Vanilla

This is my absolute favourite smell at the moment. I'm feeling all things Romantic and the past at the moment so candle-light is an absolute necessity and this candle is the perfect one. From the simple design to the smell to the packaging, everything about it is great. And, at twelve quid, it's much more affordable than most luxury scented candles without compromise on the quality.

Christmas

Christmas is my favourite time of year and I've been going crazy for it. I've been doing so for the last month and a bit. November is when I stock up on stocking fillers for my family, begin to hoard decorations and start planning meetings with friends. Now the countdown is on and I can't wait.

Heatons Coat

This coat featured in a post recently and I'm so in love with it! It breaks up the almost entirely black outfits I wear on the daily and it's so sweet without being twee. It's also one of those pieces that people stop you to compliment - which is always nice.

Winter

I have a whole photo post about winter coming soon but suffice to say that I love winter. I love the freshness of the cold air, I love warm drinks and cosy clothes and huddling by fires with loved ones. I love layering outfits. I love the light (when there is any). I love the look of bare trees against setting suns.

So, what have you been loving?

Favourites du Moment.

Here's the things I've been into of late!

Flipped.

This movie is achingly sweet. It makes me sad for modern dating and wish that times were simpler. Also, it's got a killer soundtrack.

This is the End.

I was thoroughly entertained throughout. Sure, it has it's issues but who/what doesn't? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone etc. etc. etc. Plus, James Franco. Hello.

Oh, You Pretty Things!

 A webseries via The Platform on youtube which I enjoyed. The ending left me wanting more and that's always good. Yes, it's a bit of a soap opera but, hey, sometimes I want mindless shows with pretty people in it. Is that a crime? Bonus: some great original songs.

Tumblr.

I'm late to the party, I know, but I've only just really gotten into Tumblr. Bye, Life. Facebook has taken a major backseat. PS My tumblr is rad - follow meeee!

Nutella.

We've rekindled our love affair. It's a beautiful thing.

Cherries.

Finally I found some in Dublin. Why was it so difficult?

This tee.

Chloé Eau de Parfum.

Douse me in it, plz.

Sharon van Etten.

Sure, she breaks my heart but who needs a whole one when the alternative sounds like this? So gorgeous.

Dev Hynes.

An actual genius. The Palo Alto soundtrack is perf.

Frengers by Mew.

One of my all-time favourite bands and albums. If you like this too, we will surely be pals. Or soulmates. Their gig in Dublin in 2009 is still the best I've ever been to.

Cleo by Hilary O'Kelly. 

 I was already obsessed with Cleo but this book has made it worse. Informative and fascinating and so easy to read! I usually lose the will to read for pleasure when researching which tells you how good this is.

That's all for now! What have you guys been loving?

Favourites du moment.

.

So, here's some of the stuff I've been majorly feeling lately....all gathered on my vanity table. Now how did that happen? 

There are a couple repeats from my last favourites post. I'm still loving the Surya Brasil Sapien Women Body Moisturiser and accompanying shower gel (not pictured) - they just smell so nice! And the Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic has been a real saviour during hormonal breakouts lately. 

New is the Macadamia Oil Extract Hair Treatment I picked up (in the Euro shop - obvs). My only criticism of an otherwise solid product is that it doesn't have a dropper and trying to get the 4-5 drops only that they recommend for long hair is a pain. I usually end up washing a lot of excess off and wasting product. But I do notice my hair is extra silky when I use it!

For lips I've been switching out my regular Dr Bronner organic balm for one of the many Baby Lips I bought over Christmas. I felt I really should use them...and the Intense Care has been great. Again, it's the scent that's swaying me but I like the colour combo on the packaging a lot too! I'm a terrible sucker for cute packaging. My nails have been getting more attention than normal recently and I'm really liking the colour combo of Jessica's Starfish Glow - a bright pink shade - with Mavala's The Elle Orange - a reddish orange. People keep complimenting it stating they'd never put pink and red together normally but that it looks cool. Silly old fashion rules...pink and red can totes work when done right!

With jewellery I'm adoring these Cos earrings I got at the new store opening in Dublin a few weeks back. I haven't worn them much as they are kind of a pain to put on but I will crack them out for the next fancy thing  go to! And I've been wearing my Tatty Devine cat ring again lately. So cute.

I've been reading Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane - not as much as I'd like as I always find it difficult to commit to a book when researching but it's Neil Gaiman! And so far so good!

Lastly, I'm listening to plenty of Girls as I picked up their Broken Dreams Club in a charity shop for €1.50 and Sharon Van Etten's new stuff purely because it's AMAZING. I'll leave you with the new single. Enjoy x

PS. What have you guys been loving? I'd love to know!