Hi all!
Welcome to my May Favourites for 2017! I cannot believe that tomorrow at 5am, Francis and I will be flying to the UK for the beginning of our epic European adventure! We won’t be back until July, so I will not be posting in June. However, once I get back, I will post my June Favourites 2017 (Travel Edition). It will contain 7 of the best travel items/things I used during our trip, plus my favourite memory. It is going to be so difficult to pick just one.
This month was full of excitement. I turned 28, saw Aladdin on stage, attended the Big Vegan Market in Melbourne, became a blogger for Vegan Travel and did lots of Europe preparation. I’ve also listed all the books I read with their ratings at the bottom. Without further ado, let’s get onto my May faves!
THE BEST OF MAY:
1.) Book – Caraval by Stephanie Garber
In May, I finally got to read Caraval by Stephanie Garber. Having finished The Night Circus in April, I was very excited to read a similar tale. Keep in mind, they are very different. What I loved most about this story was how easily it flowed. It was just over 400 pages but I breezed through it in no time. The language was exotic, mysterious and sexy. There were so many twists and turns, it had no trouble keeping my attention. I’m very much looking forward to the sequel. The story follows two sisters, Scarlett and Tella, who are regularly abused by their cruel, wealthy father. All they have ever wanted is to be invited to Caraval, an annual faraway show, put on by the illusive character, Legend. After years of writing letters, they finally receive their own official invitation to Legend’s private island. They use this opportunity to escape, with the help of a sailor, but once they arrive, Tella is kidnapped. Scarlett is told it is all part of the show, but nevertheless, she is given a certain amount of time to locate her sister, after which she will be lost forever. There is so much more to this intriguing story. I highly recommend it!
2.) Theatre Production – Aladdin the Musical
I am still so speechless from this show…
On May 5th, me, my mum and sister went to see Aladdin the Musical at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne. I had been looking forward to this production for over a year now and if you know me, you know I love Disney! It truly did not disappoint. The songs, the acting, the dancing, the singing, the costumes, the special-effects and the colours were outstanding. I particularly loved how they bought the Cave of Wonders to life, introduced new songs and orchestrated A Whole New World. It was phenomenal. I cannot say much more than that. Before the show started, I bought the tea-light holder above. It’s so beautiful and such a great memento from a wonderful production. Please go see it if you get the opportunity!
3.) Musician – Hunter Hayes
In May, I was loving American musician Hunter Hayes. Ally Sheehan recommended him through her blog and now I can’t get enough of his songs! I don’t normally like country music but his style is more a mix of country/pop. His songs are perfect for road-trips, stormy weather and romantics like me. My favourite is Young and in Love, which I included in My Ultimate Wanderlust Playlist! I also really like Yesterday’s Song, Tattoo and Invisible. Check him out if you haven’t already. Apparently, he can play over 30 musical instruments. Wow!
4.) Clothing – Pink Pinafore Dress from SHEIN
I am LOVING pink this year! In particular, soft pastel pinks. One of my favourite clothing items in my wardrobe is my pinafore corduroy dress from SHEIN. As it’s quite cold in Melbourne at the moment, I love pairing it with black tights/stockings, boots and my black bell-sleeve top. It’s such a nice, bright colour to project on dreary, rainy days. I love the adorable pocket in the front and the thick material. I cannot wait to wear it in spring with a t-shirt and sneakers.
5.) Event – Big Vegan Market
On May 13th, Melbourne hosted its first ever Big Vegan Market at the Royal Exhibition Building. Francis and I went along with one of our friends and it was absolutely packed! I was so happy to see such an amazing turnout. We ate the most delicious food (vegan gnocchi – omg!) and looked at all the incredible cruelty-free products. I didn’t buy anything as the prices were a tad high but it was good to know all of these goodies existed. It was such a lovely autumn day in Melbourne and a good tide-you-over event before World Vegan Day in November. I hope they do it every year!
6.) Season/Nature – Autumn Trees
I know it may seem strange but this May, I really noticed and loved the beautiful autumn trees everywhere I went. I was in absolute awe of the warm reds, oranges, pinks and yellows. Every morning, as I walked to work, I would get to marvel at the gorgeous russet leaves on campus. They filled me with so much happiness. I cannot get over how perfect and incredible nature is. I’m going to miss these colours and the crunch of leaves under my feet as autumn comes to a close. It’s such an aesthetically pleasing season if I do say so myself.
7.) Subscription Box – The YA Chronicles
In January, I posted a review of The Kawaii Box! which I liked but cancelled after March, as the products were virtually the same every time. Not long afterwards, I discovered the YA Chronicles box, which is honestly perfect for me. It’s an Australian based company that provides subscribers with the latest YA release, along with 4-5 bookish gifts, all centered around a theme. I have received four boxes now and have loved every single one. I use a discount code on all my orders, provided by Little Book Owl (check out her YouTube channel for the code). They sell 1, 3 and 6 month subscriptions, along with special edition boxes throughout the year. The books are so beautiful – a lot of them are written by Aussie authors. It feels good to support them as I am one myself. I’m looking forward to reading them all.
This month’s theme for May was I SEE FIRE and I received the following, as per the image above:
– Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh. How gorgeous is this cover? I’m so excited to read this dark Mulan retelling.
– The FireheartCandle based on the Throne of Glass series. It smells of honeysuckle, peony and sandalwood. It’s a 100% soy vegan candle.
– A YA Chronicles bookmark (you get these in every box but always a different colour).
– A YA Chronicles card, explaining what is inside the box.
– A Catching Fire Blind Bag from the Hunger Games trilogy. I either got Peeta or Gale. It’s hard to tell!
– My favourite item in the box: Sailor Mars socks! I already have Sailor Mercury socks (which I’ve worn to death) and now I have Mars. So cute!
– A Fire Nation bracelet inspired by Avatar and the The Legend of Korra.
– Dragon sticky tabs for marking my favourite parts (I have so many packets but you can never have enough).
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– A pamphlet that demonstrates how to create an Aelin Book Silhouette from the Throne of Glass series.
I could not love this subscription service more! Thank you YA Chronicles for another incredible box!
8.) Memory – Best Moment of May 2017
Even though it hasn’t technically happened yet, the best moment of May would have to be finally leaving for Europe. The weekend just gone was spent packing and being super excited about something we’ve been looking forward to for so long. It still doesn’t feel real and it probably won’t, even once we arrive. I believe the best things happen on the 30th. Francis and I were married that day, I met Anne Rice that day in New Orleans and now we leave for Europe that day. By the way, how cute is this owl mask? Perfect for the flight!
TOTAL BOOKS I READ IN MAY 2017: 4
– Caraval by Stephanie Garber – 4/5 STARS
– Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas (Book #5 of the Throne of Glass series) – 4/5 STARS
– Landline by Rainbow Rowell – 4/5 STARS
– Thanks for the Trouble by Tommy Wallach – 5/5 STARS
I hope you enjoyed my May Favourites! I am off on a trip of a lifetime. See you when I return!
Peace & Love xoxo
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