May Favourites!

Hi there! May is about to finish (which means exams are about to finish and I approve) so as always, I've gathered the things I've been loving this month and I'm sharing them with you! Let's go!

1- The Endgame novels
This is the book discovery of the year! I was talking to a new friend from Uni about what books I like, and she immediately recommended this saga because she knew I'd fall in love with it. If you like Divergent, The Hunger Games and/or The Maze Runner, please check it out. The writing style is quite different from anything I've ever read, and it's really interesting. There are a lot of characters, but once you get used to it, it's not complicated to follow. You become invested with their stories. The writing could be better, I have to say, as with Divergent and The Maze Runner, but the story is so interesting and the plot so finely schemed that you don't mind at all.

2- Bonté's hair masks: Satin Liss and Repair and Protect
You know I love Bonté! I decided to try out their hair masks this month and I can see a HUGE difference on my hair. The Satin Liss one is for rebel hair, and it's quite thick. The Repair and Protect one is for damaged hair, and it's lighter. They both smell amazing and work wonders on your hair. They moisturise it without making it greasy (which tends to happen with my hair), so I'm definitely sticking with them for a loooong time!

3- Essence's Coverstick in the shade 04 True Nude
I bought this stick concealer because I was looking for something I could use without foundation, which I don't feel comfortable wearing, and I found exactly what I needed. It works really well with my spots and imperfections. It doesn't completely hide my eye bags, but it tones them down and you can't even see I'm wearing something, which I feel would happen if it covered them completely. What surprised me was to see it had a creamy texture. It's not drying at all! But at the same time, it works amazingly with greasy skin and you don't need any powder because it's not shiny. It won't last the whole day though, just for some hours.

4- Essence's LongLasting eye pencil in the shade 01 Black Fever
If you remember, on my Top Essence Products post I talked about Essence's Longlasting eye pencils because I had one in the shade 09 Cool Down, and I really liked the product although it didn't look good on me. I was trying to find a black one, and I finally did! I think it cost me less than €2, which is a complete bargain, and it just works well. It's easy to apply, even on your waterline, it lasts quite a lot, it doesn't spread all over the skin around your eye... Great!

5- Sara Bareilles' Waitress
As you know, Gravity by Sara Bareilles is one of my favourite songs, but some weeks ago I found out Sara Bareilles had written a musical! What? It has a song that speaks to me so much. It's called She Used To Be Mine, and the character singing it talks about herself when she was younger, how different she was and what huge dreams she had. It's just gorgeous.

6- Chester See
I already talked about it, but Chester See (youtuber and singer) has just come back! I decided to check out his content and he's amazing. And his songs... they're gorgeous! If you're into the youtuber world, you need to check him out. And if you're not... this could be your doorway! You can thank me later ^^

That's all for this month! I'll leave it here and I'll see you on Monday!

A big big hug,


Acqua

The Happiness Tag

Things that make me happy:

(Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...)


Scents

New books
Rainy days
Peach
Baking goods!
Tea


Books

Harry Potter: this just has to be the number one influence on my life since I read the first book when I was 7! I've made so many amazing friends thanks to Harry Potter and I've always been really active on the fandom. I've written fanfiction, read the books up to 7 times... I just love it!

The Fault in Our Stars: okay, I know this is supposed to be "things that make me happy" and you must be thinking TFiOS is a tear jerker... well, it makes me cry a lot, but it's also one of the things that brings the most joy to my life. I just have a connection with that book. It speaks to me on such a deep level! It's also one of my favourite films, but I've decided to put it just once so it would make room for more things :)

The Little Prince: I've said it before and I'll say it again: everybody should read this book! Adults more than children. We need to go back to the roots and see what's important in life. Sometimes we get so obsessed over the unimportant things that we get lost. To me, that book is solid ground. Is me knowing what I have to value.

All My Friends Are Superheroes: THIS IS THE CUTEST BOOK IN THE WORLD. It wasn't on my favourite books post, but I love it. It's actually Carrie Hope Fletcher's favourite book! So there's that. If there's a word that defines it is endearing. It just leaves me with a warm feeling and makes me so happy.

Malory Towers: talk about throwback! I've read these thousands of times and I love Enid Blyton. It actually inspired me to write a story when I was 10 and I still have it hahaha I still find myself going back to them every some months!


Miscellaneous

Singing
Swimming
Children
My village
Playing theatre

Music (artists, songs, musicals...)

Les Misérables: IT HAD TO BE SOMEWHERE. As with TFiOS, it's one of my favourite movies too, but I've decided to put it on the list just once. Do I really need to tell you again how much I love this musical?

Danielle Bradbery: my favourite "mainstream" singer, winner of The Voice US season 4. She has a huge voice and needs to be more promoted, because even though her first album was average, she's been getting new amazing songs out and I can't wait to see the studio versions on a new album!

Lea Salonga: my favourite musical theatre singer. If I could just listen to her live... I'd be the happiest person on the planet. I admire her so much, and her skill is undeniable. She's such a funny person too! And her daughter is the cutest! (Let me say I wanted to put Carrie Hope Fletcher here so badly but I wanted to talk about different categories and she fell on Lea's... but I love her too!)

Txarango: you probably won't know about them, but they're a Catalan band which has been touring all over the world. And to me, they are the definition of something that makes me happy. Their music can always lift my mood. There isn't a grey day when they're around. I've also heard them live a handful of times and you have such a fun time.

Haven't Met You Yet: This song is by Michael Bublé and never fails to make me smile! I love the whole feel of the song!

(Sidenote: I have my "Favourite Musical Songs" playlist on while I'm writing this post and "My Favourite Things" has just started to play! This is perfect!)


Films & TV

DOCTOR WHO.: Just freaking Doctor Who. I love how it celebrates the wonders of the smallest things human beings do, the smallest acts of kindness that make us human. It makes me cry and laugh at the same time and it's such a special show to me.

Mary Poppins: This was my favourite film growing up and it holds a special place in my heart! It's so endearing and fun and funny. I love it :)

Hercules: I wanted to say "Disney Films" in general, but I felt it was like cheating... so I decided to write my favourite one instead! But if I say it maybe that's cheating too... Oh dear! Well, I'm sure you all know how special Disney films are to our generation :)

Castle: I'm still in denial over it ending. Castle's character is a joy. A writer investigating crimes... I love his out-of-the-box way of thinking and his different abilities. The other characters and the stories are also phenomenal.

The Big Bang Theory: Just funny! The characters are so well-rounded and they have the craziest ideas. I love it!


And that's it! Thank you so much Beth for nominating me, this was so fun to do! You can go check Beth's post here ^^ I want to apoligise to whoever invented this because I know music wasn't on the original, BUT it didn't feel right to leave it out! So I just had to add it hahaha I nominate Laura, Iris and Jess! I hope you'll enjoy doing it!

A big big hug,

Acqua

Favourite Broadway Shows: Collab With Rosie

Hi there! How are you today? I'm really, really excited for you to read this post, because it's a collab with Rosie from rosieauthorwriting.blogspot.com ! She's one of my favourite bloggers, and I'm sure you all know and love her, but just in case you don't... go to her blog! (Of course, after reading this post hahaha) We both are obsessed with musical theatre (I have a belief we're LesMis twins, I agree with every single word she says about it!), that's why this post was meant to be! So I'll be posting her favourites and she'll be posting mine on her post. Enjoy and make sure to tell us your favourites on the comments!

Les Miserables.

Don't even get me started on Les Miserables. From the film, to the book, to the musical, I love it all. The plot and music is something which I really love, I like the depth within it as well as the fact that there are revolutionaries protesting. Also, EPONINE, oh my, and some of you may know I absolutely ADORE her and I also love A Little In Love, which is a book about her life. Overall, this is my all time favourite musical, I will love it forever. Favourite song: Arrggghhh I can't choose, but I really love A Little Fall of Rain, gets me every time :'(

Hairspray

This is such an exciting and entertaining show! From the catchy songs, to the great dances, to the funny one liners... This is set in the early 60's about a girl named Tracy who gets the chance to dance on her favourite show. However, as Tracy is overweight, Amber, one of the malicious girls on the show, wants to sabotage Tracy... This is just such a fun musical, which is guarenteed to get you grinning! I also love the fact how racism and segregation is tackled in the show, as it has a really good message in it. If you're looking to watch this show, I would definitely suggest the film! Favourite Song: Run and Tell That

The Sound Of Music

The Sound Of Music is such a lovely musical to watch! Set in Austria right before the beginning of the second world war, it follows a nun, named Maria, who goes to be a governess at Captain Von Trapp's home, for his seven children. She teaches them to love music. What I particularly love about TSOM is the fact that she changes the childrens' lives through music, as I also believe that music is a truly magical thing, which everyone should grow to love. Favourite Song: 16 going on 17

 

Oliver!

I love the book Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens, and I also adore the musical! Following a young boy named Oliver who begs for more gruel at the workhouse, he then is kicked out into the streets. It's set in a really interesting Victorian background which I think makes it all the more diverse and unique to watch. I also absolutely LOVE the character of Nancy she is so sweet and caring and I love how she takes care of Oliver :) Favourite song: As Long As he Needs Me

 

 

Next To Normal

Next To Normal tackles big issues, like mental health, in a very creative way. It's one of my favourites because it is about how mental health doesn't just affect you, but the people around you. I think that Next To Normal is such a unique show, with so much character, and a really fascinating plot. I particularly love the Broadway Aaron Tveit version. Favourite song: I'm Alive- particularly when Aaron Tveit sings it <3

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed Rosie's answers, I sure did! And make sure to read mine on her blog!

 

A big big hug,

 

 

Acqua