What I'm Loving: April 2014

I know I say this every month, but seriously - where does time go? It wasn't that long ago I was writing my favourites for last month (or it seems that way anyway). Easter seemed to go particularly quickly, or that might just be due to me eating my only Easter egg all in one day. It was a Malteasers one, so my greediness was justified, honest.

I can't take credit for this completely adorable Easter wreath - my mum made it. Isn't it just the cutest? It's still hanging up now, adding a bit of fun to the kitchen.

Pastel clothes are my new pash. I like that you can wear one pastel item to brighten up a plain outfit, or wear a few together without looking too brightly coloured. I've had the skirt for years, and it's actually from Tammy Girl, but I just had to have it. It reminded me of Legally Blonde, in a really good way. It's a little short though, so is best worn with tights or leggings. This satchel was a Christmas present a couple of years ago, and I think it's one piece I will never tire of. It's my absolute favourite colour, a minty blue, and I love the multicoloured raffia weaving on the front of it. It's a really decent size too, I am definitely not a small handbag kind of girl.  I bought this peachy jumper quite recently, and it's swiftly become a firm favourite. It's from a second hand shop, which was a bit of a haven after a rather harrowing experience in Primark (there was neon everywhere). The nail varnish is No7's Lucky Lilac. It's a really fun shade of purple, which isn't too bright so almost passes as a neutral.

What I'm Reading...
I picked up 1Q84 by Murakami on the basis that it was loosely based on Orwell's 1984 (which I absolutely love). Other than that, I didn't know anything else about it, but decided to take a leap of faith and see what it was all about. The story is separated into three parts, and is written in chapters alternating in viewpoint between two characters who live in Japan in 1984. Aomame is a personal trainer with a dark secret, and Tenko is a maths teacher who writes fiction in his spare time. All starts off fairly normal, but events slowly take a turn for the sinister, as Aomame finds herself facing an undertaking that will change her life, and Tenko becomes linked with a terrorist group against his wishes. It's a very chilling read, and if possible I am reading it through slightly parted fingers, knowing that something bad is just waiting to happen around the corner.

If you're looking for an Orwellian dystopia, then you'd be better off looking elsewhere (try The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood), but as a thriller with a slightly science fiction edge, this is very gripping, and keeps you hooked with finding out how the events that surround Aomame and Tenko are linked.

What I'm Listening To...
Now that it's a bit brighter in the mornings (hello, Spring), I really enjoy going for a quick morning run before breakfast. I find it sets me up for the day, and is a great excuse to listen to some music. I've updated my running playlist to include some new running songs alongside some of my old favourites - and not a Calvin Harris/David Guetta remix in sight - you're welcome! As you can tell by the length of this playlist, I'm definitely not a long distance runner, and more of a short jog person.



I also love the Zombies, Run! app, which is a little bit nerdy, but really great fun. There are a few different versions, but the one I have plays an audio story for you to listen to, mixes in music of your choice, and also plays zombie noises to get you to run a little bit faster at times. I wouldn't recommend it if you run at night - that might be a bit scary actually ;)

What are you liking at the moment?