My Fangirl Merch!

I’ve always been a fangirl and one of the things that a fangirl does is acquire a decent amount of merchandise. I’m a fan of many different T.V shows, musicians, actors and such. So, I have a fun little collection of merchandise. I decided to share with you guys some of the merch I’ve acquired over the last few years. Obviously, this does not include any of the One Direction merch I got as teenager…because I had a lot. I’ve accumulated these merch items over the last 3 years as I found myself feeling proud of the things I love and wanting to show them off. I did go through a period when I pushed my fangirling and merch wearing instincts down but now I realize it’s a part of who I am and I love it! 

Clueless Graphic Long Sleeve

Who doesn’t love this 90s classic? Clueless is a great movie and I’ve always related to Cher – on some level. I saw this sweater at the Urban Planet in the outlet mall near St. Catherine’s. It was just too cute to pass up!

Jonas Brothers Tie-Dye Shirt

I went to the Jonas Brothers concert in London a few weeks back and I had the best time! It was such a throwback as the last time I’d seen them in concert I was 12 or 14 years old. I spotted this blue tie-dyed shirt at the merch table and knew I needed it. This shirt is super cute tucked into jeans or high waisted shorts. I can’t wait to wear it some more!

Peter Pan Bracelet

Of all the Disney movies, Peter Pan was my favourite growing up. I used to dream about Peter taking me away Neverland. The movie really resonated with me and I’ve always had a love for it. When I saw this bracelet at a cute market in Belfast I just knew I had to get it!

Into the Light Harry Styles Shirt

As a massive Harry Styles fan I always love supporting other fans of his by buying their art and such. I spotted Allyne’s shirts on Twitter and new that I had to get my hands on some. I ended up purchasing three of her shirts but I have to say that the Step Into the Light shirt is my favourite one! Tucking it into my high-waisted black jeans is one of my favourite looks.

Scoops Ahoy Top

Scoops Troop 4ever! As a huge Stranger Things fan I knew I had to get this shirt when I saw it at Urban Behavior. The scoops troop were my favourite team from season 3 of Stranger Things. I just loved watching Steve, Dustin, Erica and Robin interact together, as in opinion, they were the funniest part about season 3. Wearing this shirt is my way of showing my love and support for the show, plus it’s cute!

Clickbait Sweater

I’m not gonna lie, I love watching David Dobrik’s vlogs. They’re just so entertaining! My little brother is a huge fan of his and got me into David’s vlogs. For Christmas 2018 I decided to get my brother the classic red Clickbait hoodie. I also decided to get myself a black Clickbait sweater. It was a great decision because it’s such a comfy sweater and I still wear it today! It’s become one of my favourite loungewear items.

Camp Half-Blood T-Shirt

I ordered this shirt on Etsy and I’m sooo glad I did! The Percy Jackson books were my favourite in elementary and middle school. They recently announced that it was going to be turned into a TV series with Disney+ and I’m so excited to see it! The Percy Jackson books were such a safe haven for me as a kid and I really connected with them, which is why I wanted a Camp Half-Blood shirt. Now, I know that in the books the shirts are orange but that colour is not cute on me so I got it in black instead. If you want a shirt like this I defs recommend you check out the Etsy shop linked above!

If you have any merch that you love please tell me about it in the comments! I’d love to see what you guys are into.

xo
Mellie

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My Collection of Tarot and Oracle Cards

I’m still pretty new to the world of tarot, oracle cards and crystals but I’ve managed to accumulate a small collection of decks. About a year ago I was introduced to tarot and oracle cards by a friend and I was vert intrigued by it. I’ve always been drawn to the supernatural, astrology l and magic so it’s not surprising to me that I felt a pull towards tarot. Once I decided to start my journey into the world of tarot, I read up on the history, what certain cards meant and then what deck I should purchase first. After getting my first deck I became even more enthralled with not only reading tarot but with oracle cards as well. And so began my venture into oracle decks. Next thing I knew, I had a few decks and did a lot of readings for various friends and family members. Personally, I love using tarot and oracle cards for a bit of guidance and direction when I need it most. I also find that it’s a fun thing to do with friends! If you’re interested in trying tarot or oracle cards then I highly suggest you do! In the meantime, here’s a list of the cards I’ve bought and love.

The Wild Unkown Tarot

This was my first ever tarot deck! I liked the somewhat classic look of the cards and artwork, feeling that it would help me learn about the cards and their meaning. The guidebook was extremely helpful and I genuinely think this deck is perfect for beginners.

Work Your Light Oracle Deck

I fell in love with these oracle cards when I went on the artists Instagram page. The cards are so beautiful and I’m obsessed with them. I love what they represent and the messages that they convey. They’re easy to read and interpret which I love. I really enjoy using oracle cards alongside tarot cards, so I tend to grab for these quite often!

The Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards

I was first attracted to these oracle cards as I saw the YouTuber The Gem Goddess use them in one of her ‘pick a card reading’ videos. I’ve always been into goddesses and what they represent so purchasing this oracle deck felt like a good idea. The cards are pretty sleek and have golden edges, which I love. Each goddess conveys a message or meaning so I like using them with other oracle cards and with tarot cards. I feel like using more than one oracle deck at a time during a reading that reinforce a message that the universe is sending you, which is why I usually use a few different types.

Moonology Oracle Cards

I love how this oracle deck uses the moon and astrology all in one. I’ve always found that the light the moon creates illuminates my path more than the sun does. I’m very much a night owl so the moon gives me energy and peacefulness. The messages each card conveys is pretty clear and easy to understand. The artwork is cute and I love how each zodiac sign is represented. I bought them off Amazon so they are very easy to purchase. Overall, I’m definitely a fan!

The Moonchild Tarot

I’ve been loving using this tarot deck since buying it last year. The art work is stunning, I mean the images are so beautiful and I love how they well they correspond with the meaning behind each card. The artist created her own version of what a tarot deck should look like and I’m here for it. The guidebook is super helpful, especially since it goes so in depth on each card and on the deck itself, including the addition cards made specifically for this deck. These quickly became my favourite tarot cards and I highly recommend them!  

So that’s all for my personal tarot and oracle cards collection! I made sure to link each one so if you’re interested in buying them you can easily click and buy! I really love using all of these and I personally recommend them. If you’re like me and you’re still a beginner when it comes to this stuff then please reach out, I’d love to have a chat! Or, if you’re well-versed in the tarot world and have some advice for a newbie like me then I’d love to hear it!

xo
Mellie

My Favourite True Crime Podcasts

Usually all I do when I’m at work (besides work) is listen to music. However, lately I went down the rabbit hole of listening to true crime podcasts on Spotify. Due to the nature of my work I’m able to listen to these podcasts while still being productive, and they make the day go by faster. I figured I could share some of my favourite true crime podcasts with you guys!

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and her childhood bff Britt Prawat. Each episode is on a different crime, expect for their two-parters. The hosts go in depth on each case while respecting the victims and their families. You can really tell how much these cases affect them and how important it is for them to tell the stories of these victims. Crime Junkie is my favourite true crime podcast as not only do they explain the cases really well, the hosts do a great job at highlighting lessons to be learned from certain stories. Plus, they tend to cover a lot of cases that don’t get enough coverage. I also love their tagline of ‘Be Weird. Be Rude. Stay Alive.’

The Clearing

Another podcast I’m super into is The Clearing. The host goes through the story of serial killer Edward Wayne Edwards and everything that happened post-arrest. Plus, Ed Edwards’ daughter was a huge part of his arrest. Thanks to April, Ed Edwards was brought to justice and even admitted to 5 murders. The podcast also goes into detail about the myths surrounding Ed and other possible murders he might’ve committed. I like the way the host covers this story and the information that April brings to the case. If you haven’t heard of Ed Edwards I highly suggest you give The Clearing a listen.

Today in True Crime

Ever wondered if something sinister happened on your birthday? Well, this podcast explores true crime events that happened on each day. So, each episode has to do with ‘todays’ date and what happened in relation to true crime. For example, my birthday is February 12^th and this year’s episode on feb. 12^th was about an actress who was stabbed in 1977. It’s a bit weird listening to true crime that happened on dates like your birthday or Christmas but it’s also interesting.

Canadian True Crime

As a Canadian I find learning about true crime in Canada very fascinating. I basically NEVER hear anything about true crime in Canada. It’s so rare to read something in the news in regards to murder, kidnapping, disappearance etc. that happened in Canada, Either I’m from a tame town or those things are rarely publicized in Canadian media. I find that learning about what’s happening in my country is very eye opening and brings awareness to those cases and to the danger lurking in the dark. I can almost guarantee you that if you listen to this podcast the majority of the cases spoken about you’ve never heard of them before.

Cold Case Files

I’ve always been fascinated with cold case files that get solved years later. It’s great to get answers to a case and I feel like a lot of solved cases never make it on the news anymore. That’s why I’ve been enjoying listening to the classic Cold Case Files via podcast. I usually listen to it when I cook which is why I’m not watching the show. If you’re also a fan of solved cases then you should definitely check this podcast out!

So that’s it! I think shining a light on the cases spoken about on these podcasts is so important, especially for the victims and their family members. Hopefully I’m not alone when it comes to being interested in true crime! If any of you have recommendations on true crime podcasts or shows I’d love to hear them!

xo
Mellie

Netflix Shows I’m Currently Obsessed With

If you know me then you’ll know that I’m obsessed with watching TV. I absolutely love a good binge watching sessions and I’m always looking for new shows to watch. Thankfully, I found a bunch of great shows to binge watch recently so I thought I’d share them with you.

The Crown

Okay, I recently binged watched The Crown and I’m obsessed with it! I wanted to learn a bit more about the Queen and her life since moving to the UK so, I figured this show would be a good start. Everything about it is amazing, from the set décor to the costumes to the incredible acting. I really can’t think of anything negative to say about this show. If you haven’t watched it yet and aren’t sure you’ll like it since it is about the royals – well let me assure you that this show will make you see the royal family in a totally different light. You’ll probably even feel empathetic towards them. In season 1 and 2 Matt Smith and Claire Foy do an incredible job portraying Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Phillip. Their performances, as well as the rest of the cast, is phenomenal. For season 3, we see a bunch of new faces as they switched up the actors which play these iconic roles. The two actors that really stood out for me in season 3 has to be Josh O’Connor and Erin Doherty, playing Prince Charles and Princess Anne. Of course, Olivia Coleman, Helena Bonham Carter and Tobias Menzies are great, but that goes without saying. I had never seen Josh or Erin on screen yet but I’m glad they got cast on The Crown as they are a very talented pair. I can’t wait for season 4 to come out!

Sex Education

Season 2 of Sex Education recently came out and I started to hear a lot of buzz around the show again. I hadn’t watched season 1 when it first came out but I did remember hearing a lot of positive comments about it. So, I decided to binge watch both seasons – which I did successfully in 2 days. I love the character development, the different plot lines and the overall learning experience the show provides. Of course, I love the slow burn between Otis and Maeve, hopefully something happens between them in season 3! I love how the show has a good diversity of people in terms of the LGBT+ community as it shows different sides of sexual orientation and how one identifies. I like how they brought in the pansexual and asexual characters. Personally, I feel like if I would’ve watched this show as a teenager it might’ve helped me answer certain sex-ed questions that my French catholic high school wouldn’t have answered. Also, I like how the show ties in serious real-life issues with some fun British comedy. Overall, the show was great to watch and definitely made me laugh! I feel like the best way to describe it is a funny and cute version of Skins, but with less drugs. I can’t wait to see what the next season will be like!

Spinning Out

I absolutely love figure skating, even though I’m not the best at it, and I’m a big fan of Kaya Scodelario. So, when I saw the trailer for this show I knew that I had to watch it. Spinning Out had some great figure skating sequences in it and I liked how complex the characters were. Obviously, I ship Kat and Justin together. I think they make a great team on and off the ice. The show did a good job at tackling mental health issues such as bipolar disorder. Now, I don’t have bipolar disorder but I did study psychology and from what I remember learning about this disorder, I think the show did a good job at showing an audience what one with bipolar might experience. Kaya’s performance in the show was fantastic. I think she’s a great actress and she really sold me on her character. The supporting characters also brought a lot to the show and each had their own issues. Overall, the show created a realistic world with interesting characters. I really connected with this show and I was so heartbroken to hear that Netflix decided to cancel it. However, the ending isn’t super cliffhanger-y so you can still watch it and feel complete by the end of the season.

You (Season 2)

I’m truly obsessed with this show! Season 1 was so fascinating but oh my gosh season 2 did not disappoint! The whole last episode had me shook, in fact most of this season was full of unexpected twists and turns. Joe was once again his usual creepy and murder-y self, which makes for great TV. I really like the supporting characters in this season, other than Forty I feel like they were pretty likeable. Delilah and Ellie were obviously my favourite characters this season. I like the little dalliance that Joe and Delilah had, even though in my gut I knew it wouldn’t end well. I wasn’t a fan of Love although I think the actress did a great job playing her, the character just fell off for me from the start. Which I guess was the point considering the ending of season 2. I found it interesting how they were able to make Candace come off as so unlikable and annoying even though she was a victim and was just trying to get some justice. The show runners definitely know what they’re doing with the way they film and write the show. After the ending of season 2, I can honestly say that I’m, really excited for what will come next in season 3!

Locke & Key

This is the most recent show I binged watched and I quite liked it. I love shows that have a supernatural or magical element to it. Locke & Key is based off a comic with the same name. It has a somewhat Narnia feel to it but instead of going to another world, the demon and magic comes to the Locke family. I like how the kids find these magic keys which can all do something different, one can take you anywhere, one lets you see inside your head and another turns you into a ghost. The main villain of the show is definitely creepy and the actress does a great job portraying an apathetic demon. The Locke kids are great characters, Bode is the most likeable (and the sweetest!), Kinsey is likeable as well at first but her character does a total 180 a few episodes in and Tyler has an interesting development throughout the season. I think all the characters are decently relatable but the writers could’ve gone a bit more in depth and have them develop more. Although, I do understand that with only 10 episodes it does create some constraint between moving the main plot line and deeply developing each character. After the last episode I was hoping to get a bit of relief, hoping that the Locke kids would defeat Dodge but the show ended on a slight cliff hanger. I don’t want to spoil anything so I won’t go into detail. I definitely did like the show and I would watch a second season, mostly to see what happens next and what keys might be left to discover. Hopefully they get another season and the writers get to show us more of the Locke family and those magic keys.

Hopefully one of you reads this and finds a new show to watch! I have a bunch of other shows that I’m loving right now but they aren’t on Netflix. Let me know if you’d like me to write about those shows as well!

Stay rosy,

xo

Melissa

My Monthly Favourites – January 2020 Edition

The first month of 2020 is over!! January has been an interesting month to say the least. I had a few moments were I was quite homesick and depressed. But that was to be expected with the lack of sunlight and me living so far away from my family & friends. But, it really ended on a great note. I’ve made a bunch of new friends, I’ve joined a writing group and I even got a few temp jobs to make some extra cash. Along the way, I’ve found some great things in January which made the month feel brighter.

Louis Tomlinson’s new album Walls

I’m so happy that Louis’ new album is finally out! I’ve been a fan of all the One Direction boys since 2011 so seeing them grow up and put out their solo music has been really emotional for me. I’m very proud of Louis for putting out this album and for him to have found his sound. The songs on the album are all great and I can’t wait to hear them live in March. My personal favourites on the album are Kill My Mind, Habit, Always You and Defenceless. Even if you’re not a big 1D fan you should check out Louis’ new album Walls because it’s genuinely really good!

LED Star & Ocean Light Projector 

I’ve been seeing these star and ocean light projectors online recently and I really wanted one. They seemed so relaxing and pretty. Since I’m still adjusting to a new country I figured that this projector would create a soothing environment. Once I got it I was pleasantly surprised. The lights are so pretty and really light up my bedroom. I love how it has a few different light settings. You can pick the main colour to be blue, green or red and you can decide if you want the ‘stars’ and ‘moon’ on top of the ocean-like lighting. After setting it up I showed my flatmates and they all loved the effect it has on my room! One might even buy one for her room. I have to say that I’m really happy I bought this projector because it chills me out at night and I find falling asleep to be much easier now.

The Moonchild Tarot

For those of you who aren’t aware, I love tarot and oracle cards! I think they’re super fun to play with and they can be a great thing to do when you’re in need of direction. Of course, I don’t live my life based off on what the cards say but I do like consulting them when I need some guidance from the universe. I currently have 3 Oracle card decks and 2 tarot card decks. The first one I got was the Wild Unknown deck which I do really like using. But, I saw some pictures on Instagram of the Moonchild Tarot deck and I knew I had to get them. The art work is absolutely stunning and the little booklet it comes with is so insightful. I love using this deck so much and I feel like I truly connect with it. If you’re into tarot cards I highly recommend the Moonchild tarot or her sister deck the Starchild tarot.

Waitress The Musical

I’m obsessed with musicals and I always jump on the opportunity to go see one. I got pretty lucky in January because my friends’ friend couldn’t go to a show and so I go to see Waitress in London for free! I did see Waitress on Broadway like 3 years ago but I was really keen to see it again. Plus, this time around I got to see Sara Bareilles as Jenna! Of course, it’s a great musical with fabulous songs and entertaining characters. All the performers have such great voices and it was a treat to watch them on stage. Since seeing the show again I’ve been listening to the soundtrack non-stop! If you get a chance to see Waitress you should definitely go because it won’t disappoint.

The Happiness Planner 

Journaling has always been something that I loved doing, however I got pretty bad at being consistent over the last few years. Plus, sometimes I didn’t know how to put into words what I was feeling. Then I found out about the Happiness Planner and how they have journals dedicate to different aspects of life and each ‘chapter’ has different prompts to help you organize your thoughts. I found that this was exactly what I needed, especially since I’m not currently in therapy I figured that these journals could act as a form of written therapy. I purchased the Explore Your Inner World Guided Journal Set I and was not disappointed. This set comes with 6 journals: Self-Awareness, Confidence, Purpose, Law of Attraction, Growth Mindset and Gratitude. Each journal has beautiful photos and quotes as well as many writing prompts that’ll help you revaluate your life. I’m definitely glad that I got these journals especially since moving to London, they’re very helpful when I need to gather my thoughts or just need some extra help with visualizing my future. If you like writing in journals or would like to start I totally recommend you try out this brand!

All in all, January was a great month for me and I’m sure I’ll having just as many favourites in February as I keep finding new things to love in London.

Stay rosy,

xo

Melissa

August Favourites 2019

I can’t believe it’s already September! Summer is over and fall is here, which actually makes me happy. I had a great August even though I was mostly busy with work but I managed to become obsessed with a few things. So, here’s a list of everything I loved in August 2019.

Stranger Things 3

Scoops Ahoy, Steve Harrington, Robin, Dustin and Erica – need I say more? They were honestly the highlight of season 3 of ST. Every scene of theirs made me laugh and I was so here for it. I also loved Joyce and Hopper’s storyline – I totally ship them together – and the whole Alexei thing was great. Seeing Nancy and Jonathan be and work together was cute. I liked seeing them deal with conflict and how they worked it out. The kids were great as always, El and Max’s friendship was great to see! I love seeing best girls friend hang and go shopping since those relationships are so important. It’s also crazy how much the kids have grown up, like they’re so tall now!

Overall, season 3 was action-packed, funny as hell and just brilliant! Even though there were some deaths that hurt my heart, I have to admit that I loved watching every second of season 3. I can’t wait to see what the Duffer brothers have in store for season 4!

Colourpop Jelly Much Shadows

Colourpop’s Jelly Much Shadows are super pigmented, don’t flake off and are very easy to swipe on your lid for a beautiful eye look. I’ve been totally obsessed with these! The colours are so stunning and will really up your eyeshadow game. I’ve been using a few shades lately but my go-to’s in August were Spindle, No Rest for the Vivid and Perfectly Wretched.

Dreamy Moons Affirmation Cards

Lately I’ve really gotten into manifestation and the law of attraction. This got me to following DreamyMoons on Instagram. She creates so many beautiful pieces from stickers and posters to her Manifest book and card decks. I purchased her affirmation cards which are 30 cards which help you affirm certain emotions, situation or goals you want to manifest into reality. Pulling one card every morning that really help you focus on positivity and the things you want to focus on for the day. Personally, I find these cards quite helpful especially on those days where it feels like the universe is against you.

If you’re into this kind of stuff I also recommend you purchase the Manifest book and pre-order the 2020 Year of Growth book. Not only are the illustrations truly beautiful and unique but they are really helpful with bringing positivity and light into your life.

True Crime Podcasts

Usually all I do when I’m at work, besides work, is listen to music. However, lately I went down the rabbit hole of listening to true crime podcasts on Spotify. Due to the nature of my work I’m able to listen to these podcasts while still being productive, and they make the day go by faster. My current favourites are Crime Junkies and The Clearing.

Crime Junkies is hosted by Ashley Flowers and her childhood bff Britt. Each episode is on a different crime, expect for their two-parters. The hosts go in depth on each case and tell their story really well. Plus, you can tell how much these cases affect them and how important it is for them to tell the stories of these victims.

The other podcast I’m super into right now is The Clearing. The host goes through the story of serial killer Edward Wayne Edwards and everything that happened post-arrest. Plus, Ed Edwards daughter was a huge part of his arrest. Thanks to April, Ed Edwards was brought to justice and even admitted to 5 murders. The podcast also goes into detail about the myths surrounding Ed and other possible murders he might’ve committed. I like the way the host covers this story and the information that April brings to the case. If you haven’t heard of Ed Edwards I highly suggest you give The Clearing a listen.

Djo and Maya Hawke Songs

This sort of goes hand in hand with my love for Stranger Things. I found out that some of the actors are also musicians and I just had to check them out!

Joe Keery goes as Djo and currently has three songs: Mortal Projections, Chateau (Feel Alright) and Roddy. His music is so cool, kinda dream-like, and I totally recommend it! He’ll be releasing a full album on September the 13^th so look out for that!

Maya Hawke who plays Robin on Stranger Things also released some music. She currently has two songs out: Stay Open and To Love a Boy. These songs are so soft and pretty I totally love them! I really hope she releases more music soon cause I’m hooked.

So that’s all for my august favourites! I hope you guys have a great week and an awesome beginning of September.

Stay rosy,

xo

Melissa

Favourite Hair Accessories – Summer 2019

I have to admit, I’ve never been good at styling or accessorizing my hair. I typically just leave it down (after blow-drying it) or I curl it. My hair is almost never tied up and in the past I’ve barely ever used headbands or barrettes. However, lately I’ve been trying to change the way I style my hair and these items have been helping me a lot!

Hair Bobbles

I’m truly obsessed with hair bobbles. I got these ones in my summer FabFitFun box and I love them! I like using these to tie my hair up into a bun while I sleep as they don’t leave marks in my hair. So, when I wake up my hair is mark-free with plenty of volume. Plus, the colours of these hair bobbles are so summery and look great as makeshift bracelets.

Trendy Barrettes from Amazon

The barrette trend has been sweeping social media and I’m so here for it. I wasn’t sure where to buy them but thankfully Carrie Dayton, one of my favourite YouTubers, talked about the ones she got from Amazon. I bought them pretty much right after watching her videos because they looked so cute on her and I knew I could trust her opinion.

Well, I got them in the mail and they’re so cute! They look adorable on and their grip is strong enough so that they don’t fall out of your hair. I’m very happy to be basic af and wear my barrettes all day long.

Nordstrom Rack Hair Clips

These hair clips look super cute and they’re great at holding a bunch of hair even though they’re small. I love shopping at Nordstrom Rack so I’m super glad I found these and bought them because they’re very cute and easy to use.

Anthropologie Hair Clips

Ok so my mom and I both love these large hair clips! She’s always using them to put her hair up and I love using these in the shower to keep my hair from getting wet. The clips are decently sturdy and will keep your hair up for a good amount of time.

Urban Outfitters Velvet Scrunchies (not pictured)

Ahhh I love these!! Not only are they super cute, but you can wear them around your wrist or use them to tie up your hair (which is obviously its intended use). If you tie them around three times they will stay in place but if you like a looser ponytail look then tying them around twice if good enough. They are a little pricey since they’re from UO but you can probably get similar ones from Amazon, Target or Walmart.

That’s it for my favourite hair accessories to use this summer! I have a few blog posts planned for august on books that I’ve been reading and my experience with applying for a UK visa so keep an eye out for those.

Stay rosy,

xo
Melissa

My Fall 2017 T.V. Show Obsessions

The fall term is almost over and I’ve definitely binge watched more shows than I should have. These four shows have made me feel a plethora of emotions, from love, to sadness, and to happiness. These shows will pull you in with great characters, plot twists, acting, writing and musical soundtrack. I highly recommend you give them a shot!

The Royals (E!)

Based on a fictional British royal family, The Royals is filled with love triangles, lust, murder and crazy parties. On this show power is absolutely everything and some will do anything to keep, or get it back. Princess Eleanor and her bodyguard Jasper have a steamy on-and-off thing going on which makes them the fans #1 ship. I must admit, I’ve got a total weak spot for the kind Prince Liam played by the handsome William Moseley. On top of all the character drama, this show has perfect songs for each scene, you can even follow their multiple playlists on Spotify. They recently finished filming season four so hopefully they’ll be back on T.V. soon!

 Chicago Med (NBC)

This is the third show in the Chicago series and it does not disappoint. As a huge fan of medical shows, I was so glad to get into Chicago Med. It stars Nick Gehlfuss as William Halstead, a devoted and attractive doctor, and Pretty Little Liars’ Torrey DeVitto as Natalie Manning, a pediatric and emergency med doctor who is passionate about saving her patients. Set in a Chicago emergency department, this fast-paced drama is perfect for those who love medical shows, a good love story and non-stop action.

This Is Us (NBC)

This heart-wrenching drama is not for those who don’t like to cry. Every episode of This Is Us is thoughtfully well-written to intersect the lives of Pearson family from the past to the present. The actors do a terrific job of making these stories come alive. Anyone who watches this show will feel every bit of emotion that the characters feel, making it an emotional roller-coaster.

The Good Doctor (ABC)

Starring the adorably talented Freddie Highmore, The Good Doctor is a brand-new medical show about Shaun Murphy a young surgeon who has autism and savant syndrome. He moves to San Jose for his surgical residency which some of the hospital staffs aren’t happy about. However, Dr. Murphy continues to prove that he belongs at the hospital as a surgeon regardless of his autism.

If you have any recommendations for a show that I should watch next let me know!

xo,
-Melissa

 

My New Makeup Products!

As you may be able to tell from the picture above, I recently got a bunch of new makeup! I’ve had the time to try them all on and figure out how I feel about them. Thankfully, I like all of the products but I do have some minor criticisms. So, let’s get started:

1. NYX – HD Studio Photogenic Concealer in Green

If you have a lot of redness on your skin like I do, you might benefit from this product. Since I have rosacea, sometimes just a concealer or foundation isn’t enough to fully cover up the redness on my skin. This product will help correct redness, but only if you add a product on top (foundation or concealer). My only complaint is that the applicator doesn’t transfer enough product on my skin in one swipe so, I tend to go back into the tube to get more. Other than that, I do like it but might buy another green colour corrector when I run out of the NYX one.

2. Smashbox – Camera Ready CC Cream

This is my first time buying a CC cream so I didn’t have any pre-set expectations. Personally, I like the consistency and the light coverage of the product. It feels pretty lightweight, which is exactly what I needed for overly hot summer days and music festivals. To help with my redness I add some light powder on in my problem areas. But, if you have clear skin you won’t need to add a foundation powder on top. Overall, I haven’t found anything that I dislike about this product.

3. Smashbox – Studio Skin 24 Hour Waterproof Concealer

This is the first time that I’ve bought this concealer and its okay but I probably won’t re-purchase it. I like how the product applies and sits on my skin under my eyes and on my nose. But, the coverage isn’t good enough to cover up my acne or my acne scars. I haven’t tested if it truly is waterproof yet it hasn’t smudged or wiped off when I’ve been sweaty so I’m content with that. Basically, it’s not a bad product at all but it’s not the best concealer I’ve ever tried.

4. DermaBlend – Loose Setting Powder

As someone who swears by the Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder, I was a bit unsure to purchase this one. However, it’s proven to be quite effective and I really do like it. The powder doesn’t lighten my skin, applies easily, sits on my skin nicely and does a good job of locking in my foundation! However, I haven’t decided yet if I’ll be re-purchasing this powder or the Laura Mercier one.

5. Benefit – Hoola Matte Bronzer and Dandelion Twinkle

I’ve had a Hoola bronzer since I was 15 (6 years ago!) and I decided that I should get a new one as the colour had changed due to it being so old. Just like the first time, I find this bronzer to be so great since it’s easily bendable and has great pigmentation. Now, the Dandelion Twinkle is a relatively new product from what I gathered. I absolutely love this highlight! It’s very pretty and natural, has no glitter chunks and it sits nicely on the skin. If you don’t like super intense highlighters then you should definitely try this one out.

6. L’Oréal – Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara

I am obsessed with this mascara. It’s a clear dupe for the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara due to the applicator and the formula. I actually like the Lash Paradise mascara more than the Too Faced one, simply because it doesn’t clump my lashes as much as the Better Than Sex one. Plus, since it’s a drug store mascara, it’s not as pricey which is always great. I honestly don’t have any complaints so far for this mascara and I’m sure I’ll be re-purchasing it when its finished!

7. Bite Beauty – Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Thistle

It’s no secret that the Bite Beauty lipsticks are fabulous. They’re creamy, pigmented and don’t wipe off easily. The colour I recently got is described as a ‘mauve infused taupe’. I bought this specific colour because I didn’t have a grey-ish mauve lippie in my collection. I’m truly glad about the choice I made and I can’t wait to buy more Bite Beauty products in the future!

8. Lancôme – Matte Shaker High Pigment Liquid Lipstick in Pink Power

I really like the idea of the Matte Shakers and I love how the colour looks like in the bottle. However, I found the pigmentation to be too light for my liking. I’ll most likely buy a darker colour next time because I do like the texture and how easy the applicator is to use. If only it didn’t take me like 10 coats of this colour for my lips to look pinkier, this product would be such a summer favourite of mine.

Overall, I had some pretty good luck with these products which I’m very thankful for. Some of them I will be re-purchasing while some of them I won’t be. Out of all of them, my favourite one must be the Dandelion Twinkle because it’s so pretty and has the perfect amount of glow for my natural looks. If you have any questions about any of the products mentioned feel free to send me a message!

Xoxo,

– Mel

Colourpop Haul

One thing that you should know about me is that I love makeup. I love putting makeup on, I love the colours and the glow of makeup. But, I especially love affordable and good quality makeup. Colourpop is just one of those brands that I love so much. Recently, some of my friends and I decided to take advantage of a 20% off the whole site sale and we ordered a bunch of makeup. I ended up getting two lip products and four eyeshadows. For my lips, I got an Ultra Glossy Lip in Sookie and a Lippie Stix in Lumière. I’m completely in love with Lumière because the application is so smooth and easy. Plus, the colour is a dusty mauve pink that’s perfect for my lips and my skin tone. I’ve been wearing it every day since the shipment came in because it’s so nice for my work and for fun afterwards. Sookie is also a great colour but it’s a darker plum so I’ll most likely be wearing it more during the fall. I love the consistency of Colourpop’s Ultra Glossy Lip’s as it’s not annoyingly sticky or too sheer. For my eyes, I got four Super Shock Shadows; Get Lucky, Valley Girl, La La and So Quiche. My immediate go-to is Valley Girl, I put a bit on my lid and inner corner of my eye, some mascara and bam. Eyes are done. It’s a beautiful vanilla shade that has a very light gold sheen to it which adds a little sparkle. Get Lucky is a super glittery gold and very eye-catching. Although I own a lot of gold eyeshadows, none of them are quite like Get Lucky and I’m very excited to wear it with some of my darker eyeshadow looks. La La is also very glittery but has more of a coppery tone to it. Truthfully, I still need to play around with this shade to really get a better feel of the colour and what will work with it. So Quiche is another one of my favourites because the sparkles in this olive shadow are violet and gold which makes for such a beautiful colour on the eyes. So, my favourite items out of them all are; Lumière, Valley Girl and So Quiche. Overall, I’m really happy with my haul and I can’t wait to order from them again!

xoxo,

Mel