Things I've Loved Lately #5

This is where I talk about food, fashion, TV shows and just about everything else I've been enjoying recently...It's a little like my fortnight in review so it's stuff I haven't had a chance to mention much or that I didn't think fitted in with my monthly favourites. Hope you enjoy!

I've not really been wearing makeup everyday the past fortnight, however when I have I've loved applying foundation with the e.l.f. Studio Powder Brush (£3.95)! I know it's for powders but I use it for liquid foundation. I've never had a flat foundation brush before but I might have to invest in one. My first ever (and rather large) KIKO order arrived and it's absolutely beautiful! So I'm looking forward to testing that out over the coming weeks.

Some of the things I picked up from KIKO...

I recently tried the Starbucks Apple & Cinnamon Muffin and Chai Tea Latte and they were so good! I'd honestly never had Chai Tea anything until the Bloggers' Tea Party, but now I'm loving it! I also get excited when seasonal coffee shop specials come out. After my obsession with Costa's Salted Caramel Muffin last year I tried  a Starbucks offering this year and I'm feeling festive already! Another hot drink I've been enjoying is the Beanie's Flavour Co. Cinder Toffee Coffee I won in a Cosmo goodie bag. It's really nice and the flavouring isn't too overpowering, with flavours like Irish Cream and Gingerbread I'll be popping down to Sainsbury's to get some more!

I think 'love' is a strong word, as I have mixed feelings about this film, but I recently saw Gone Girl (*SPOILER ALERT* not for plot points but for themes). It's a bait and switch film and almost changes genres partway through. It started off as pretty intriguing but by its final act, without giving too much away, the plot becomes fairly preposterous. If you can get on board and enjoy the shift then it's an entertaining watch and retrospectively the ending seems fitting. I think the interesting themes of marriage, identity, infidelity and media intrusion come through clearly, but I (like Nick!) would've like to have got inside Amy's head a little more. I also think more could've been made of the media critique (I loved the lampooning of Nancy Grace).

As with Gone Girl, 'love' is a strong word but I've started reading Endgame: the Calling by James Frey (yes, that James Frey, no comment...) and Nils Johnson-Shelton*. It's marketing did scream 'Hunger Games rip-off' in all honesty but to call it that would be something of a disservice. If you like a bit of YA it's a fun read, you just have to get on board with it and appreciate it for what it is. Another bit of reading material I've enjoyed is this month's Elle Magazine. I'm not normally big on print magazines (though I do pick them up sometimes when I'm travelling) but what can I say, the eyeliner and the feminism got me! It's well worth picking up if you get the chance.

The courtyard of Chester Cathedral

Last weekend I went on a day trip to Chester. I really love it there because there's a lot of history and it's such a pretty city. We took a wander along the city walls, had afternoon tea, looked around the impressive Cathedral and did a spot of shopping. There are some fantastic shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.

In terms of music James Blake, Sampha, FKA twigs and Jessie Ware are on my current playlist. I'm always on the lookout for artists who bring something new to established genres. I'm also glad that American Horror Story is back with a bang. Freakshow has been fantastic so far, I just need to stop watching it before bed...It's an anthology series so don't worry if you haven't seen it before, you can still watch Freakshow. 

Cupcake in action

I've been loving my Pamper Sessions recently and I've got a little more into Lush as a result. Lush has always been more of a 'gift' thing for me, so I never really bought stuff there for myself. However I did go on a little splurge (haul here) recently and I'm loving the products I tried! Tomorrow's post will be all about my pamper must-haves! Another body favourite is the Dolly's Mixtures Shower Gel line currently £1 (usually £2) at ASDA. I won't bang on too long about them as I have a full post here, but my favourites are Red Velvet Cup Cake and Vanilla Cup Cake - yum!

A little preview of my upcoming A/W Fashion & Accessories post

Miss Selfridge and River Island really have some beautiful cardigans, faux fur and accessories in for the moment. I'm still loving New Look and Primark but I think I'll be going to RI and Miss Selfridge when I fancy something a little more expensive. 

Inspired by Shaaanxo

Finally it was, of course, Halloween last night! So I really enjoyed dressing up. I was aiming for Bambi but ended up a little more reindeer but yolo...

What are you loving now Autumn is well and truly here? 

Don't forget to follow me on:

Twitter // Bloglovin

* PRESS SAMPLE