Library Haul - February 2017

I'm a huge fan of my local library, so much so that I have an entire section on one of my bookshelves dedicated to housing my borrowed titles. After spending a week in hospital with pancreatitus I'm currently at home on bed rest, so I shuffled into the library before a Doctor's appointment to load up on some new titles to keep me entertained!

I've found myself becoming more interested in non-fiction recently, I'm traditionally a fiction gal at heart but the lessons I've found in non-fiction books have opened my eyes quite a bit. I'm trying to focus on improving myself in any way I can, and I feel that books teach me new ways of thinking that assist me with this. A lot of the books I've read recently revolve around saving money, minimising consumer debt and creating a more harmonious and environmentally-friendly home, which are all things I'm looking to achieve at the moment. If you have any great titles along these lines, do let me know and I'll put a hold on them at the library for next time! 

Why Pay Retail? - Todd Alexander
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo
Me Before You - Jojo Moyes
Footloose and Financially Free - Julie K Macken
Inside the O'Briens - Lisa Genova
Zero Waste Home - Bea Johnson

I nabbed some pretty popular titles on this library trip, I'm looking forward to finally reading the much lauded Marie Kondo book and I've heard great things about Jojo Moyes from various family members. What are you reading at the moment?
-Emma

September Lifestyle Favourites



I have a feeling that this is the first time you would have seen a lifestyle favourites on my blog, but I figured that since I love watching them on YouTube it made sense to share my own favourites with you all. The majority ended up being beverages but overall it highlights how chilled (read:boring) my life really is outside of the beauty realm!

writing with my new Kikki K pen // sunny spring days // my planner and favourite pen // my library stack

Kikki K Pen
This pen makes writing about 80% more enjoyable for me, and for that it's a definite lifestyle favourite this month! I hate how it smudges when you highlight over it but the glide is so addictive and I've just seen that they possible have this pen in a Christmas design - be still my heart! I wrote with it to show you what it looks like above and then snapped it sitting on my 2015 Personal Planner* which I'm also loving at the moment!

Sunny Spring Days
My mood has definitely been elevated since the nice weather took hold of Melbourne - it's still light when Mister and I return home from work and we've been enjoying sitting out in the backyard enjoying the sunshine as we wind down from the day.

My Library Card
I'm back on the library bandwagon in the biggest way, and am really enjoying stacking my shelves high with books I don't have to pay for! I've been scrolling through Goodreads stealing recommendations from people I admire and I've also joined the fabulous Look At All These Books book club!

Madame Flavour Mint Choc Rooibos // Jarrah Coconut Hot Choc // Moccona Hint of Caramel // Garlic Prawns with Chicken & Leek Risotto

Madame Flavour Tea Treats - Mint Choc Rooibos
I can't imagine finding a tea that tastes better than this one - it's sweet enough to replace dessert without being overwhelming, it's the perfect mix of choc and mint in tea form, and it makes me happy each night when I drink it in bed reading a book!

Jarrah Coconut Hot Chocolate
I'm definitely not a big hot chocolate fan, but my sister in law gave me a few sachets of this to try and now I'm hooked! I've tried to work coconut into my drinks in the past and always failed, and this was the exact taste I was trying to replicate! Now I just have to convince Jarrah not to EVER discontinue this...

Moccona with a Hint of Caramel
Yet another hot drink - it's clear where my obsession lies, isn't it? This is what I have each morning with sugar and a splash of milk and it's my favourite - sometimes I even choose it over a proper takeaway coffee, and that is saying something!

Garlic Prawns with Chicken & Leek Risotto
I fell into a routine with my dinners through September but this was the clear favourite with juicy prawns sitting on top of creamy and moreish risotto - a definite treat meal that Mister and I really enjoy.

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What were your lifestyle favourites in September?

Any hot drink recommendations for me? I'm seriously obsessed!

Emma x