July Favourites!

Back at it again with another monthly favourites (that was slightly lame right?)

July seems have disappeared in a whirlwind, I can barely remember it.

I actually had to rack my brain while writing this post as I feel as though I can't think of anything I really loved this month but I'm going to try.

So let's get into it.

I seem to always start off with my music, YouTube and television favourites of the month so let's keep the tradition going. 

This month I've been listening to a lot of Carole King, I mean how can you not love her? If you don't know who I'm talking about please do your research, she is one of the most profound female musicians in history as well as just an overall awesome person. I was first introduced to Ms King through Gilmore Girls (Duh?) and fell more in love with her when the musical about her life 'Beautiful; The Carole King Musical hit Broadway. I promise you won't regret listening to her.

My other musical favourite of the month is a playlist on Spotify that is made up of all the songs from The Parent Trap soundtrack. I mean there are some pretty iconic songs in that film and I love them. Any time I listen it just brings a smile to my face. Check it out: https://open.spotify.com/user/suzy.maurer/playlist/4RTScz3UI0VlgefVQftH7F

In terms of tv, I've really enjoyed four shows this month. The Mindy Project,one of my favourite shows of all time finished up its fifth season this month and I have to say how much I enjoyed this season. The show was picked up by Hulu after being cancelled and really enjoy the direction it has been taken in, plus we got quite a few more episodes out of the show so that's a plus. Even though I and many of the other fans were a worried about how the show would play out after *SPOILER*, I personally think it was a great season and can't wait for the show to be back.

Another show I really enjoyed this month that is really an old favourite is Bones. Now maybe it's nostalgia or my obsessive fangirl rearing its head but I have fallen back in love with Bones. Now I wouldn't say that I had fallen out of love with it but it's always been that trusty reliable friend who is always there when you need them but also knows when you need to be by yourself. Bones has always been there for me, I own nearly every season on DVD, it been through so many study sessions, lazy Saturdays and school holidays its hard to count. What is great about is that I can drop it for a while (which is what usually happens because I get to overwhelmed with all the shows) and pick it up when I need to and it's like I never left. The show just ended it's 11th season and enter it's final 12th, and though I will miss it I know that I'll always have Bones somewhere in my life.

For YouTubers, I really got into the Hughes sisters, Lindsey and Meghan. I just really in enjoy their channels, content and methodology. Check out both of their channels Here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/MissMeghanMakeup
https://www.youtube.com/user/beautybaby44

Okay, now the media stuff is out of the way, let's get down to some other favourites.


I got to see a super amazing show this month, 'That Bloody Women' is the most amazing New Zealand punk rock musical about Kate Sheppard the women lead the suffrage movement for kiwi women to get the vote, becoming the first in the world to allow this. It was the most amazing experience ever and I'm completely guttered that I only got to see the show the day before it closed because I would have seen it a million times.
Watch this trailer to understand the obsession.
https://vimeo.com/173588609


I went blonder this month which was definitely a favourite, and I could totally see myself going even blonder soon (check out my insta for pics). I also fell in love with a new shampoo, Natural World's Coconut Water Shampoo & Conditioner. This such a moisturising and beautifully smelling hair product and my hair actually likes it (which is hard to some by)

Randomly another favourite of this month was actually going back to uni, not only was it my final semester but I was doing some really awesome papers with my favourite lecturers! So yay for learning. The start of the new semester also meant one my best friends Jess came home from her 7-month exchange in Europe. It's so lovely have her home and I have missed her so much. So Jess if you're reading this, your homecoming is most definitely one of my July favourites.


For clothing this month I have three favourites. Two of which you would have seen featured on my Instagram. One of them being my new rose gold sneakers from Rubi Shoes, they are super comfy and add a little flair to any outfit. Another is my new vintage grey coast from Finders Keepers, this such a comfy and stylish coat, keeping me warm while looking cute. I'm really into op shopping and vintage shopping at the moment. My last favourite are my Topshop Joni jeans, I have been in love with these jeans since last winter, for me they are the perfect jean. They feel like leggings, are super high waisted and so comfy. I managed to snag a new pair this month during their annual sale so score!

Other favorites this month also include my Hamilton book arriving and the Gilmore Girl revival episodes getting a release date (obviously)


My favourite spread for this month was this one from Linniz Planner. I loved the soft colours in it.



So that's it for July, it was a pretty busy month but I am so excited that it's now August as it's my birthday month!

I would love to know what your July favourite, leave a comment telling me.

Love Louise xo

'Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there'
Will Rogers

June Favourites!

Another month was done and dusted. This month was filled with lots of cool new favourites and discoveries as well as some not so fun things (breaking my toe) and exams but now we are at the end of June, time to look back and think about all the great things I did this month.

Before I get into my actual favourites a few of my own personal highlights this month;

One being that I found and booked my venue for my own 21st later this year, not a completely big deal but it still is super exciting. Another is the fact that I did my solo performance for the final part of my drama degree, I was really terrified of the idea of a solo performance, just me, myself and I on stage but as I slowly worked through and came up with my idea, I grew extremely proud of what I was accomplishing in the class and performing was just the icing on the cake. Also combined in this is that fact that I finished my second to last semester of my undergraduate degree, which is completely crazy to think about. My final personal highlight of this month was attending one of my best friend's Steph's 21st. Not only was such a special night to share with this beautiful human, but getting to see how happy being around her family made her, warmed my heart and made me treasure our friendship even more.

Okay now into what I have been loving this June!

In terms of music, I have been listening to a lot of songs while I study for exams. I like something that will motivate me and make me feel inspired. What fit the bill this month was 'The First Lady's Day of the Girl Playlist' on Spotify. On the White House's Spotify account this playlist was created Michelle Obama (a favourite herself) for last year's international day of the girl. There is lots of variation in the song from musical theatre, Billie Holiday, Demi Lovato and Alicia Keys. It's just a great playlist to soundtrack your day. 

Check It Out Here

Obviously June marked the return of Orange Is The New Black so that was definitely a favourite of this month. I find the show hard to summarise as so much happens but if you're not watching it get on to it. I also rediscovered my love for Rizzoli & Isles this month. If you don't know what Rizzoli & Isles is to of it think  as if  Bones and Castle had a baby and then sent it to school with Body of Proof. Okay, that is kind of a weird analogy but basically, the show is based around the Head Medical Examiner Marua Isles and Boston Detective Jane Rizzoli as they solve cases, deal with family dramas and their friendship. Its procedural show but there are some great thoroughfare storylines. You definitely should give it a go if this sounds up your alley. 

I had quite a few makeup favourites this month. One in which is that fact that I fell in love with a new foundation and powder. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Matte + Poreless and L'oreal's Nude Magique BB Powder. I love how they sit on my skin and how well they last.

I also began using L'oreal's Infallible Fixing Mist which is the first setting spray I've used in a while that I can actually see the results (just make sure you shake the bottle first, otherwise you're going to end up with paint-like white splodges on your face, whoops). Coincidentally one of my best friend's Louise also gave me a whole lot of makeup she didn't want any more and I ended up with a few more L'oreal products that were my favourites as well. The Colour Appeal eyeshadows in Golden Shimmer and Sepia Sparkle are divinely pigmented and are perfected for highlighting your inner corner.



Scent wise this month I managed to hunt down one of my favourites that I haven't had in forever. The Victoria Secret Coconut Passion Body Spray is a lifetime favourite. However this vanilla and coconut scent is really hard to find in NZ and I haven't had a bottle since early last year, so I was really excited to get one.

I didn't choose a planner spread of the month as I loved so many of them. Check out my Instagram for pics.

June also allowed me to discover a whole new realm of YouTube. Being hauled up for a while because of my toe, I dove deep into the fitness side of YouTube as discovered Nikki Blackketter. Best know for BlondeVSWorld Nikki is a GymShark Athlete who competes in bikini competitions. She vlogs all her workout and her day to day life. Watch her work her butt off has given me heaps of inspiration now that I can go back to the gym. I really enjoy her fun demeanour and the way she works through her workouts to show us everything she is doing.

Also in the category of YouTubers, I found myself watching a lot of Marisa Lace and Claudia Sulewski. If you are into all things beauty, fashion and inspiration check either one of them out.


Now that I'm on holiday I'm breaking out my reading list and spending half my days traipsing back and forth from the library picking up the books I've requested. One that I've already been through and loved is Pen & Ink: Tattoos & The Stories Behind Them by Isaac Fitzgerald and Wendy McNaughton. Beautifully illustrated each page shows a hand drawn image of the subject and their tattoo and then the story behind it. Some may have little behind them, a drunken stupor or trying to prove a point, others familial reminders and personal mantra but each tells a story and are incredibly interesting to read about.


Two of my favourite purchases this month are both accessories and both feature rose gold (surprise, surprise). My wallet had been falling to pieces and I finally found one I liked in this ASOS metal bar wallet. I also needed a new 'everything but the kitchen sink' bag. This is a smallish zip up bag I carry everything in from meds, to chargers, headphones and lipstick. It's something I can put everything in and transfer from bag to bag and know I have everything. This Typo case fit the bill. Plus I love the quote and the font 'Random Crap I Can't Live Without'. Sums me up quite well.



So that it, another essay of a blog post but I was into a lot of things this past June that I wanted to share with you. I hope June treated you well and that July is even better!!


Love Louise xo

"The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work" 
Richard Bach

Pathways & Reflections

If I haven't mentioned it before ( which I'm sure I have) I'm entering into my final semester as an undergrad as we speak. It's completely crazy and slightly scary to think about. I've survived almost three years of university, numerous essays, a dozen or more exams, hundreds of hours sitting in lecture theatres and multiple stressful late nights but I survived.

It's funny to think about how in love with university I have become, that I'm not ready to leave and that I'm planning on doing honour because I was so terrified about starting in the first place. I didn't feel ready to start university, unprepared and totally scared of this new start. And even though the first semester was messy and hard, and a complete learning curve ( it's a rite of passage isn't it?) but as I settled in, found the most amazing friends (ones that really saved me from sinking in a true hatred and fear of university in my opinion), university opened my eyes to some of the most amazing things and I have loved every second of it.

Now, of course, any person including me complains about university when you're in the thick of things, up to your eyes in readings and assignments, feeling as though there is no light at the end of the tunnel. University is not all roses but for me, even during the hard times, I tried to work my butt off and fell deeper in love with learning.

My plan after graduating was to head straight into my teaching certificate, spend another year learning and become a teacher. This would also make me a 22/23-year-old high school teacher which in reality doesn't really fly. Between my ages, height and the fact that I look 16 on a good day, doesn't really mix well when I end up teaching 18-year-old boys.

So I switched up the plan, take a year off; work, nanny, travel. Finally, go to New York and live my dreams and then come back with a bit more life experience under my belt and go into my teaching certificate.

However, plans can evolve a million times until you find the one that fits you and yet again my plans changed this year. There has always been a flicker in the back of my mind since last year about honours, but I became even more encouraged this year by those who surrounded me in the film department and I realised what I truly wanted to do. Honours made so much sense, continue with uni, continue learning something that I really passionate about and on the plus side by furthering my education I benefit my future career.

Now there is one part of my plan that hasn't changed New York

New York is in my very near future, well by near I mean July of next year but it's actually happening. With my 21st coming up I have asked friends and family if they would donate to my travel fund as my gift. I even went into a travel agency and found the Contiki I'm going to do, with dates and everything. With my anxiety, I've decided that the best idea is for me to get settled and familiar through a tour and then spend a few extra days after it finishes back in New York. So I'll start in Boston, hit New York, Philadephia and then Washington D.C before the tour ends and I'll train back to NY to meet up with a friend and watch as many musicals as I possibly can before I leave.

It's kinda terrifying but also exhilarating at the same time that my dreams, ones that I have had for such a long time are actually so close to coming true. Like I'll actually have tickets by the end of this year. Excuse the french but HOLY SHIT!

I wanted to write this post to not only reflect my experience at university as a whole, a time of great discovery, hard work, laughter, struggles, long lasting friendships and inspirational teachers. But also to talk about the idea of plans and how everything will work out eventually how they always should. I've known what I wanted to do with my life for a long time and though my pathway has twisted and turned I ended up finding a timeline that fits perfectly for me.

So if you are tossing up your options, unsure of a big decision or just completely lost, remember its okay, you'll figure out what works for you eventually. It's okay to be scared of the future, it a big thing but it's also an exciting thing.

Finding your own pathway and reflecting on what is going to make you happy and give you fulfillment is important. So go forth and explore, everything will figure itself out.

University was one part of my pathway that completely scared me, I've now conquered it and found my next step, now it's time to reflect and keep travelling.

I hope you have enjoyed this little post today, I just wanted to write a little something about how I've been feeling about all these changes and decisions. I guess I'm becoming a grown-up.

Love Louise xo

"The universe has a plan, I promise"
Keltie Knight