Non-Bookish: A Few of my Favourite Things from February.

I like my TV shows weird. In fact, the weirder, the better. The Kettering Incident is weird. It is very, very, weird. It's creepy too. I'd describe it as Twin Peaks meets The X-Files, set in Tasmania. I've heard it described as the Tasmanian Twin Peaks, so I'm pretty sure I'm not the first person to describe it as such. This is currently airing in the UK and Ireland on Sky Atlantic. I couldn't wait for episodes to air week to week, so went ahead and binge-watched on Sky Go. Forget Stranger Things (over-rated in my opinion) I''m all about The Kettering Incident.

One annoying thing you should know: A second season of The Kettering Incident has not been commissioned (as far as I know) and I can't find evidence that another season will actually happen. So, if you want all your questions about this show answered (and you will have questions!) maybe don't watch until you know a second season is happening for sure. Or do watch - just be prepared to figure things out for yourself.

*****

Can't wait to dive right into Deliciously Ella With Friends. So many delicious new recipes to try. Think I'll start with the Lemony Potato and Butter Bean Salad or maybe I'll try the Chickpea Chilli in Baked Sweet Potatoes first. Decisions!

A post shared by @daisychainbooks on Feb 1, 2017 at 5:26am PST

The new Deliciously Ella book is my favourite book of Ella's to date.

*****

Garnier micellar oil-infused cleansing water: I've always used the original (pink cap) Garnier micellar water, but last month I decided to go wild and give this one a try. I actually think the original water is better suited to my skin. This one, which contains argan oil,  is for dry and sensitive skin. There's no way in the world that I have dry skin: I just didn't read the description on the bottle before I bought it.  Duh. So, even though this is probably not the best fit for my skin, it smells divine, and that's why I love it. It also leaves a bit of a greasy residue, which is OK if you're using it as the first step in a double-cleanse (which is what I do), but otherwise probably not great. So, why did I put it my favourites? Oh yeah, it smells great.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream: Provides deep hydration for stressed skin. My skin gets deeply stressed at times. This stress is most usually caused by those terrible twins, winter weather and central heating. This works.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc PCA 1% Blemish Formula:  This is from The Ordinary Range of skincare, which offers high-end products at affordable prices. I've picked up a few pieces from the brand, so may do a full review soon, you know, if I ever get back into writing beauty reviews. (That kinda fell by the wayside, didn't it!) Anyway, so far this has been doing a good job of my blemishes disappear fast -or at least faster than they usually do. And it cost around €6. Worth trying out!

*****

New Music Obsession

Alexandra Savior

*****

Non-Bookish: A Few of my Favourite Things from November.

This post is a little behind schedule (but what's new!)

Image via CBC Radio

Like the rest of the world, I've been hooked on true crime podcasts ever since Serial reported on the case of Adnan Syed a couple years back.  Of all the podcasts I've checked out since then, Someone Knows Something, which focuses on Canadian cold cases, is one of the best. Season Two, which kicked off a couple of weeks back, deals with the disappearance of Sheryl Sheppard, who went missing in 1998 and has not been seen since.

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/sks

https://twitter.com/skscbc

*****

Season 1 of The Missing on BBC was good, but this series was even better. So clever and twisted. Julien Baptiste is my hero! Here's hoping for season 3. 

I wasn't sure about Offspring at first: Season 1 was hit and miss for me - and sometimes Nina Proudman was just a little too quirky for my liking. I stuck with it though and I'm really glad I did. Seasons 2-4 of this show are mostly excellent in their detailing of the lives, loves and dramas of the Melbourne-based, always entertaining,  Proudman family.  I've just started on Season 5 and I'm hoping that Netflix will make Season 6 available pretty soon. I've heard it might be a wait, though, as the current season has just aired in Australia.

If you like Parenthood and This is Us, then you'll like Offspring.

*****

Hydraluron was a total skin saver for me during a very cold November. If your skin needs a moisture boost right about now, then this is the product for you! I also quite like the sheet masks from Hydraluron, although I find sheet masks generally icky to apply. That, and the fact that they make me look like an extra from a bad horror movie.  This stuff really works, though. Check it out.

*****

November in music saw Impossible Dream by Haley Bonar on constant rotation. I must have listened to my two favourite songs from the album - Kismet Kill and Called You Queen - at least a gazillion times!

*****

My current book is Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson - it's the kind of thriller that is so gripping you'll only put it down if you absolutely have to! Also, check out The Kind Worth Killing  by the same author. So, so, SO good! 

Non-Bookish: A Few of my Favourite Things from January 2016!

© Polly Crossman

Sunday Times Style columnist Dolly Alderton launched a newsletter this month. It's called The Dolly Mail, and it's a really good read. It just occurred to me that I don't really subscribe to any newsletters apart from this one, so I guess it's especially deserving of a mention in this monthly fave's round up. Sign up HERE and you too can receive this newsletter every Wednesday a.m. It's guaranteed to brighten up your day. Also, I picked up a great recipe for a Nut Roast in the third installment. 

http://tinyletter.com/thedollymail

*****

My favourite podcast is back! Yay! Also, Eeek! The first episode of the second series of The Black Tapes 'Sleepless in Seattle' is SERIOUSLY CREEPY!  Best listened to late at night with the lights off!

http://theblacktapespodcast.com/

*****

Moving Panoramas

Moving Panoramas. Stumbled upon this band from Austin, Texas a few months back. Cannot stop listening. Their music isn't available on Spotify (at least not in Ireland - I bought the album direct from their record label) so I can't embed here - but go seek them out especially if you love bands like Warpaint, Mazzy Star and Best Coast...

http://movingpanoramas.com/

Listen to Moving Panoramas on The Hype Machine

*****

A couple of skin care treats to keep my winter skin nourished, hydrated and (hopefully) under control. Caudalie's Beauty Elixir is a bit spendy, but I really feel like it's something I can't live without. I'm totally serious.

*****

The storylines in Nashville may be a little cheesy at times and some of the acting dare I say it, a little hammy, but it's a whole lot of fun nonetheless. I've just finished Season 1 and I'm pretty hooked right now. Any other fans here? What characters do you love or hate...or just love to hate?

*****

Non-Bookish: A Few Of My Favourite Things From October.

So, it's that time of year when all my favourite shows have returned and I have to say out of all the shows I watch, I'm totally hooked on Homeland. Sure, Homeland lost it's way a bit with the whole dragged-out-to-death Brody storyline. But, it was back to its best last season, and this season has been great so far.  Also, Quinn FTW. I was never a Brody fan (Ugh! I kinda hated that character!) but I'm a big fan of Quinn. Just hope he doesn't go dying any time soon...

I've also been really impressed with How To Get Away With Murder this season. I thought season 1 was good but not great - but season 2 is off to a really great start. In other TV news, I'm kinda bored of Grey's - and Scandal needs to up its game!

*****

I've been checking out more and more podcasts of late, and this one has to be one of my very favourites. You Must Remember This explores "the secret and/or forgotten histories of 20th Century Hollywood." I love Old Hollywood and find the behind the scenes of the studio system and its actors fascinating, so this is a great fit for me.

Thanks to Milka from Read.Read.Read. for the introduction!

You can find out more about the podcast here: http://www.vidiocy.com/you-must-remember-this/

*****

I have a few beauty favourites this month. First up October's Look Fantastic Beauty Box. I've already talked about this at length, so instead of repeating myself, I'll just direct you to MY REVIEW.

A combination of increasingly cold weather and central heating has really made my skin suffer this month. This happens to me every year without fail! Cicaplast Baume B5 from La Roche-Posay containing Glycerin and Shea Butter really helps to soothe my skin. It's right up there with Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream as a skincare saviour for me (although this is a lot cheaper than the Eight Hour Cream!)  Well worth checking out if you're suffering from dried out, stressed winter skin. It's a great multi-tasker!

*****

I started watching Parenthood in order to deal with my Fright Night Lights withdrawals. Both shows are exec. produced by Jason Katims, so there are similarities -and also quite a few FNL actors make an appearance in Parenthood (not Tim Riggins, but you can't have everything!) I loved Parenthood - it was an emotional experience, for sure. All the tears!

Now I want to check out Nashville - but I never caught it on TV and it's not on Netflix. So unless I buy ALL THE DVD'S I guess it's not going to happen. Boo!

*****

CURRENTLY READING

I'm 150 pages in to Persuasion (the follow up to Compulsion) by Martina Boone. So far, so hooked! 

What are you reading right now?

*****

Non-Bookish: A Few of My Favourite Things From August.

Image via Kickstarter

I've been looking for a new podcast obsession ever since Serial wrapped up - and this is it! The Black Tapes podcast is a docudrama (perfectly) described as Serial meets The X-Files and I AM HOOKED! I listen to this late at night (for added spooky effect!) and it gets better with every episode.

Also, I think this would translate into a GREAT TV show! I'd love to see the burgeoning relationship between narrator Alex Reagan and the mysterious Dr. Richard Strand on the small screen!  

Check it out: http://theblacktapespodcast.com/

*****

A very fun departure from my usual TV habits UnREAL is a dark comedy/drama that goes behind the scenes of a reality TV show and shows just how far some people will go to grab a ratings winner. I took a chance on this after reading some glowing reviews, and I'm so glad I checked it out. It's pretty addictive - and contains great performances from Shiri Appleby and Constance Zimmer.

*****

My new music find of the month is Pixx. Have a listen to her debut EP below. It's so very dreamy.

******

Image via Etsy

I was browsing Etsy one day (on the lookout for a new tote) when I found this shop. It's now a new favourite of mine!  There's lots of great stuff on offer - everything from cushions and hand warmers to make-up bags, notebooks and planners. I picked up a new tote and key ring as my first purchases.

Check out the shop: here. There's also a dedicated website: http://www.ceridwenhazelchild.co.uk/

Image via Etsy

New key ring (and bottle opener!) from @ceridwendesign #lovelystuff #cute #catlover #etsy #handmade #illustration #craft

A photo posted by shutterbug99 (@daisychainbookreviews) on Aug 15, 2015 at 9:52am PDT

*****

Some great scary book post this week! Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics is described as Little House on the Prairie meets The Crucible meets The Exorcist and is said to be perfect for fans of Stephen King and American Horror Story. Sounds good to me! I'm hoping for some good scares from this one!

*****

Non-Bookish: A Few of My Favourite Things From May!

Here are a few of my non-bookish faves from a wet and windy May 2015.

I've been reading a lot of psychological thrillers this year, and it's Game of Thrones season so my TV time is pretty dark and twisted too. Time to lighten things up a little, I thought to myself one day, and went searching for something a little light and happy happy on Netflix. I found this movie, and thought I couldn't go wrong. Well, Blair Waldorf and Seth Cohen star, so what more could you ask for, really? Nothing groundbreaking, I guess, but Life Partners is cute and it's funny and it was just what I was looking for. I liked it a lot!

*****

Inage via Love Irish Food

Everest Granola Cups - I have been addicted to these Granola Cups lately. They come in three flavours: Apple & Cinnamon, Raspberry and Natural Honey - I have tried all three and I can't pick a favourite. I love them all. Dee-licious! Everest Granola is an Irish company so you may not be able to get these where you are, but if you're visiting Ireland, and need some good food on the go, I suggest you try one of these.  The Granola is top-notch (almonds, coconut, pecans, cranberries, jumbo oats and more) and the pots are bigger than your average pot of granola. Le yum.

@everestgranola

Here's an up close shot of an Everest Granola Cup shortly before I ate it all up!

*****

As you may or may not know, I love a good face mask, and this one, the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask has been on my radar for a long time. Thing is, this mask is so popular that every time I try to buy it, it's completely sold out. Thankfully I was able to pick up this dinky little set of masks-to-go on a recent beauty shop. Each set contains four travel-size pods and it's a great way to check out this product before you invest in the full size. As for me, I'm a big fan of this. It's a great mask for a weekly deep-skin clean.  I may do a full review of this one soon - and I will be investing in the full size product, once I can get my hands on it!

Another beauty favourite of mine (and a forever repurchase) this month is Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex II (to give it its full title!). One thing I never skimp on beauty wise is eye creams - and this may be pricey - but it's totally worth it.  

*****

Image via Confessions of a Book Addict

One of my favourite blog features (on one of my favourite blogs), Summer Kickoff has been taking place over on Confessions of a Book Addict this past month. If you haven't yet check this out, you really should. It's a one-stop-shop for all your summer/holiday reading - and Christina has some pretty great giveaways going on too!

There's also a little guest post from me where I (along with a bunch of other bloggers) share what I'll be reading this summer. Check it out here. 

*****

I've been on the lookout for a new show to get me through a long summer without my Shonda shows. Netflix chose Friday Night Lights as a top pick for me a while back, but I didn't think this was for me due to the focus on (American) Football, which I have zero knowledge of. However, one night last week, I decided to check this out, and what can I say, I'm hooked. I'm only half-way through the first season, but FNL was pretty much love at first sight for me - and now that I've done a little research on the whole football thing, I totally find the games exciting too. Full disclosure: I had to look up how many points are awarded for a touchdown. Don't laugh! We don't watch American Football in Ireland. Well, at least I don't.

Tim Riggins a.k.a My Favourite Thing of the Month!

Also, I am totally in love with Tim Riggins. Anyone else? I'm not sure if FNL ever aired over here (maybe it did and I just didn't see it at all) but I totally recommend you check it out. All five seasons are on Netflix.

*****

Non-Bookish: A Few of My Favourite Things From April.

So, I missed out on last month's favourites round-up since I was in the middle of my blog break - but here are just a few of the things I loved in April!

p.s. As I write this, my brain is under attack from a migraine, so maybe I'm not making a ton of sense? And that's OK.

Wolf Alice is my new favourite band. I first heard of these guys last summer, but lately I've been listening to them a whole lot more. Their debut album 'My Love is Cool'  releases in June. How to describe their sound? They are alt-rock with definite grunge influences. The band themselves describe their sound as 'rocky pop', which is a pretty apt description.

Here are some songs recommendations: 

*****

Cute sleepwear from M&S
- The latest Rosie for Autograph collection is super cute!

****

I've written about The Jinx already: here: but I really think everyone should watch this - especially if you're interested in true crime - or if you loved Serial. This is fascinating stuff!

I also have to say a word about Grey's Anatomy: Not that the episode was one of my favourite things or anything, but just to say - is anybody safe in Shondaland?!? #crying.

*****

Some scary book post this week. The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich is one of my most anticipated reads of 2015 - but if I read it, does that mean I'm gonna be cursed?! I have a feeling this book is worth it!

*****

Non-Bookish: A Few of My Favourite Things From February.

February might be a short month, but that doesn't mean I didn't have time to find some favourites.

Here are some of the things I loved in February 2015.

So, one of my favourite parts of Oscar season is the Red Carpet. I always watch the live coverage on E! although I have to say that E!'s red carpet coverage this year was a mess! They lost exclusive rights to ABC (I think), abandoned live coverage of the red carpet half way through the show and to top it all off decided to subject their viewers to the "expert" opinions of Khloe Kardashian - who then proceeded to trash-talk everybody and their dress - while all the while looking like a complete and utter mess herself. Yeah. Get it together E! 

Anyhow, these were three of my favourite looks of the night. I thought Margot Robbie looked amazing and I loved Lupita's dress. Lupita's dress was STOLEN from her hotel room after the ceremony, but I think it's since been returned. I'm glad Rosamund Pike got her look together for the Oscars - some of her red carpet dress choices have been, well, kind of a disaster.

As for the Oscar ceremony itself - I only caught the highlights show - but I didn't enjoy it. Uh. Neil Patrick Harris was not funny. Ellen did a much better job.

*****

February also saw the return of my favourite Shonda Shows.  Here's my quick take on those:

Scandal: OK - Scandal just gets crazier and crazier. And I'm not sure that's a good thing. I'm a huge fan of this show, but some of the storylines lately have been um, not so great? I'm talking the 'auction' storyline - what even was that? I'm also talking Huck and that bloody mess of a bloody massacre. I really think I'm done with Huck. Also, they really need to save the character of Fitz. There's been a Fitz character assassination going on now for a couple seasons. Ugh.

Grey's: Guys, Grey's is SO GOOD this season. I know that Grey's has had some not so great seasons, but this year, it is really back on track. And that's post-Cristina Yang and everything. I really thought the show would suffer when Sandra Oh left, but it hasn't at all. The Jackson/April storyline was especially heart-wrenching. Grey's has become a must-watch show once more.

How to Get Away with Murder: OMG! The How to Get Away with Murder finale was just full of surprises! I might have gotten off to a shaky start with this one, and I still haven't totally warmed to any of the characters, but HTGAWM has gotten better and better with each episode. I am fully invested now and can't wait until Season 2. 

*****

I don't know why I label this monthly round-up 'Non-Bookish' because I always seem to mention books in this post in some shape or form. Anyway, this month the Deliciously Ella cook book is on my list of favourites. I'm definitely guilty of buying cook books and then never actually using them, but this one is different. I've made the Lentil Bolognase a couple of times, and it is tasty - although I feel like the recipe maybe needs a little bit of tweaking as the texture is a little dry - or maybe my cooking is to blame!

My sister made the Raw Brownies from this book and those are THE BEST THING EVER. So yum!

*****

February was a great month for music with new releases from Lower Dens, Best Coast and Chromatics. Chromatics have a new album out soon, which I am very, very excited for. In the meantime they've done the soundtrack for the Ryan Gosling directed movie Lost River (along with label mates Glass Candy and Desire). Listen to Yes (Love Theme from Lost River) below.

*****

CURRENTLY READING

I've just started on Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver. I'm only sixty or so pages in, but so far so good.

Have you read Vanishing Girls? What did you think?


*****

Non Bookish: A Few of My Favourite Things from January.

January was a cold, cold month here in Ireland - we even had snow (doesn't happen all that often in my part of the world!) and that's reflected in my January favourites. 

I'm all about keeping warm when the cold weather hits!

I love a good indie flick - even better when it's set in a stunning location. Copenhagen isn't perfect by any means, but if you liked Before Sunrise and Lost in Translation, then I think this will be right up your street.  Copenhagen tells the story of William who is at something of a crossroads in his life (he's a kidult, kind of an ass, and he needs to grow up fast.) Enter Effy, a Danish girl who is wise beyond her years...

The girl who plays Effy (Frederikke Dahl Hansen) is fabulous in the role - and she is Emily VanCamp's  doppleganger! As for the guy, if he looks familiar to you, well then, that's because you've seen him in Game of Thrones.

Copenhagen is available on Netflix.

*****

A Christmas present to myself - these slipper boots from Bedroom Athletics have been keeping my toes toasty this past month.

As has this rechargeable hot water bottle, which was a gift from my mom. I never knew rechargeable hot water bottles were a thing - now I'm not sure how I lived without this.  It takes fifteen minutes to charge up and stays warm all night long! A must have for someone like me - I am always cold!

*****

A good lip balm is a cold weather essential - and this honey lip balm from Nuxe is the BEST LIP BALM EVER. Ultra nourishing, Reve de Miel contains honey, shea butter and grapefruit essences - so it not only keeps your lips ultra moisturised, it also smells divine! 

*****

CURRENTLY READING

I've just finished reading The Ice Twins by S.K. Tremayne, which was pretty good overall - and definitely creepy - but I kind of felt that I needed more from the story. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending either. I'll have a review of this one up soon. 

In the meantime I'm about to start on The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand.

Any thoughts on that one?

*****

I'm taking a teensy break from blogging this week but will be back next Monday.

In the meantime, why not check out Arianne's review of Love Hurts ed. Malorie Blackman and enter to win a copy of the book!

Non-Bookish: A Few of My Favourite Things From December.

Hope everybody had a great Christmas!

As you can see, the blog has a whole new look! Do you like it? I'll be writing a little post about my plans for the blog in 2015 very soon, but for now, here are some of the things I enjoyed this month.

image via serialpodcast.org

So, this month I started listening to Serial. I'd been meaning to check this out for a while, but I only got around to it this month and I was immediately hooked. So hooked that I binge listened to all twelve episodes in a matter of (late) nights.

Serial is a compelling true-crime podcast detailing the case of Adnan Syed who was jailed for the 1999 murder of his former girlfriend Hae Min Lee. But, as Serial details, something doesn't sit quite right with this case. 

I could talk about Serial for days; and there are plenty of Serial conspiracy sites out to get sucked into if you dare. I don't have the space to go into all my multiple theories here, but needless to say, I have a few. And all I will say is: Jay was definitely there when all of this went down. None of this showing up after the fact talk. I also would have liked to hear more from Don. And that note in Hae's car. Hmmmm...

Also, MailKimp.

*****

I was reading an article on what to read/watch post-serial and this documentary Dear Zachary popped up. I remember reading a whole lot of positive reviews about this when it first released, so I decided to check it out - I watched this without knowing anything about the documentary other than that fact that it was conceived by the filmmaker as a tribute to his murdered friend.

There is a whole lot more to the story than that, though. And what happens next will shock you.

Don't look up the details of this documentary before you watch it, k.

It's brutal. And it will make you cry. Repeatedly.

*****

BEAUTY BITS

Beauty-wise, this month has mostly been all about hydrating masks and rescue/recovery balms, but the product I've been loving most is this Nuxe Nuxellence Jeunesse Youth and Radiance Revealing Fluid which I've been using morning and night before applying my moisturiser. I've been using this for a week or so now -and what can I say - I'm sold. This promises to leave your skin feeling velvety smooth - and it works. 

The full size is a pretty spendy €60 but luckily I scored this 15ml sample in a Look Fantastic Beauty Box a while ago. 

I may start writing some beauty reviews in the New Year. What do you think? 

*****

NEW TUNES

CURRENTLY READING

I'm almost 200 pages in and I am hooked!