Monthly favorites (July 2014)

A bit later than usual, but after last week’s travel blog extravaganza I thought I’d bring back my usual schedule as quickly as possible. So instead of posting my monthly favorites on the last day of the month, I decided to have this as a ‘various’ post on Sunday. I have found another 10 things that I have been liking this month. From THE thing which kept me entertained throughout my trip, to a fave bit of music, food and beauty products.

1.) Venice + InterRail trip in general

How could I not include this in a favorites post?! My trip took up the first 2 weeks of this month and it was the highlight of my summer. Perhaps even of my entire year. Highlight of the trip was Venice, no doubt about it. It stole my heart and I’m dying to go back some time in the future and explore the lesser walked paths of the city.

2.) Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper

My favorite lipstick of the month must be this one. This thing is amazing. You may have seen it in a ‘new in’ post where I also showed you a few MUA goodies I laid my hands on. First of all the color: bright orange-toned red. My favorite red. Secondly, lasting power. I wore this a few times on my trip and I wore this all day without touch ups and it still looked great. Plus I think it looks very flattering on, see this picture of me in Nyhavn in Copenhagen.

3.) Homemade popsicles

Hot weather = ice cream. Which isn’t necessarily the best thing to eat. So I make some myself! I posted a recipe here, but the picture above is of the ones I keep currently in my freezer: 2 peaches, 1 banana, 3 tablespoons of Greek Yoghurt. Super yummy and gratifying. And not complicated to make. All you need is a blender and popsicle molds.

4.) The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist

This falls into the category “O-M-G how did I ever live without this?”. I picked this up just after returning from my trip and I love it. My favorite way to use this is to spritz some on when I’m feeling hot and sticky on these warm days we’ve been having. Can’t wait to integrate it into my make up routine.

5.) Harry Potter Audio Books read by Stephen Fry

During my InterRail trip I sometimes spent as much as 12 hours a day on a train traveling to my next destination. I loaded my tablet with plenty of music and e-books to keep me entertained, but I also decided to chuck something in which I had never tried before: audio books. The first day of traveling I put on the Harry Potter one in the British version (there’s also and American one with a different narrator!) and I just knew: this is IT! It allowed me to be engaged in a story while still gazing out the window and soaking up the sights. I even sat down in a few of the cities and just listened to a few chapters when I wasn’t doing anything. Perfect for long trips!

6.) Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil Free Moisturizer

My Origins moisturizer had run out some time in June and so I needed a new one. I picked up this Neutrogena one in London last year and decided to give it a go. It’s great for summer, but come winter time I’ll be needing a bit more to keep my skin nourished and hydrated. It’s a light moisturizer that goes on nicely, but on very sweaty days it doesn’t seem to be absorbed very well by my skin. So I’m not wearing this under make up as it would mean my foundation would start sliding around.

7.) Summer dresses

Hot summer days do not just equal popsicles. It also means summer dresses. I have a few dresses that I only wear when it’s the height of summer. And you can see a few of them here. They are by H&M and Forever 21.

8.) Alpro Coconut Milk

Food wise I also found something new and exciting in my local supermarket. They had run out of the canned coconut milk which I usually get. I have fallen out of love with almond milk and I’ve never liked soy or rice milk, so now what? I decided to check the non-dairy milk section any way and found this coconut milk. It’s not as thick and creamy as the regular one I get but it’s still delicious and serves its purpose of smoothie maker.

9.) Bronze/ Copper eye make up products

When it comes to make up I’ve been obsessing over bronze and copper eye shadow shades. From eyeliner, eyeshadow, cream shadow and pencils: if it’s bronze or copper toned I want it, need it and wear it mostly at the moment. Perhaps it’s because I’m the most tanned I’ve been in 5 years, or simply a fad of the moment, I don’t know, but I just love the look of a good bronzy eye.

10.) Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear

Lastly a music favorite. A CD. An actual, physical CD. This was a birthday present from friends and I’m loving it. I’ve loved Sia for some years now and when I first heard Chandelier I was skeptical. Then I saw the video, loved it and it’s why I gave the song a good listen for the first time. The song definitely grew on me and thus I wanted to hear more. I love the album. Summer 2014 staple for sure. If you’d like to know what other albums I found in 2014 so far, then stay tuned because that will be the first music post coming up on Thursday.

What were your favorites this month?