october favourites

 

Happy second-to-last month of the year, y'all! October felt like it passed in a blink, but the days themselves felt oddly long. I've been looking to comfort to get me through these past few weeks - as I'm sure we all do when new seasons and jobs come along - and I've managed to source it from many places. So in a bid to reclaim my 'happy' and embrace the smallest details of life, I thought it time I resurrect my most beloved of blog series: the monthly favourites. 

Movie Club.

As I've needed more rest than usual lately, S and I compiled a long list and movies and TV shows to get through before Christmas and we've been steadily making our way through it (and rating each thing out of 10!). The most stand-out piece we've seen so far has been Tolkien, which had me in floods of tears through-out. Lord of the Rings has kept its place in my heart since I watched the very first movie, aged 6, and watching the lore and languages and characters come to life before my eyes was nothing short of beautiful. The relationship (one might say fellowship) between Tolkien and his three best friends was exquisite and the main source of my tears. 10/10 all day long. We re-watched the entire trilogy on the heels of finishing Tolkien and it's completely rekindled my love of high fantasy drama. 

Another big love of mine was Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts, a short documentary on Netflix following Trixie's stage show, Moving Parts, and her then-turbulent friendship with fellow queen Katya. I'm an avid watcher of Trixie's YouTube channel but this doc was a little deeper, a little darker and much more exposing of both Trixie and Brian as humans. 7/10.

Other things we've watched: The Theory of Everything (8/10), Rebecca (3.5/10), Dreamgirls (7/10) and The Perks of Being a Wallflower (7/10).

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas.

Once we'd finished watching Lord of the Rings I was itching to sink my teeth into another long, complex fantasy and Kingdom of Ash fit the bill nicely. I've already read the entire Throne of Glass series from start to finish (plus books three, four and five individually in the multiples) but Kingdom of Ash - the final book in the series - has sat pretty on my bookcase, patiently awaiting its inevitable re-read since I finished it the first time just over a year ago. Despite my favourite novel of hers belonging to the ACOTAR series, I believe the Throne of Glass series holds much more richness, in character, plot, setting and wordplay. Maas thrives in third-person narrative and it's been thrilling to feel so enchanted by a story again. 

Daisybutter.

Speaking of feeling enchanted by wordplay: I spent a LOT of time towards the tail-end of October reading old Daisybutter posts. And I mean old - I may or may not have worked by way forward, reading each and every post, from the beginning of 2016 until now... Michelle has been my favourite word-smith for more than eight years now and she never fails to delight me. I found a lot of comfort in her blog during my years of illness, so it's no surprise I naturally flit back to her words whenever I need a little more. 

Michelle writes effortlessly about mindful living, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, books, her experiences as a British-Chinese woman living in England and seeking magic in the everyday mundane. She writes with such authenticity, every word tinged with truth and wonder. A forever love of mine, I'm sure.  

Crunchy Biscoff spread.

A favourite I feel needs no elaboration or explanation: crunchy Biscoff spread slathered across both halves of a toasted sourdough bagel. Indulged several mornings in a row. Yes yes yes.

Acquiesce.

Despite our lives rapidly falling towards Winter, Christmas and frosty delights, I've spent many an hour the past month turning S's AC:NH island, Acquiesce, into a tropical paradise. After months of umm-ing and ahh-ing, he finally settled on a theme and after a few searches on Tumblr I provided him with reference images which he either accepted or rejected, and I began my mission. Guys, I took it so seriously. I've only done maybe a quarter of the island so far, but the entrance is looking spicy and I've been throwing around tiki torches and coconut trees like there's no tomorrow. Love me a lil creative side project. 

Baths.

And finally: B A T H S. I've been working in the clothing section of my store for a few weeks until my department is ready and Christ alive, clothes are fxcking heavy aren't they? I've been bending and stretching and reaching and carrying and girl I was not ready. My back. My shoulders. They are not okay. Luckily it is bath season so I've been indulging in baths multiple times a week, sometimes with a sneaky treat from Lush (thank u S!), always with a book in hand.

What has been your highlight of the month?