Hi all!
Welcome to my May Favourites for 2017! I cannot believe that tomorrow morning at 5am, Francis and I will be flying to the UK for the beginning of our epic European adventure! We won’t be back until July so I will not be blogging at all in June. However, once I do get back, I will post my June Favourites 2017 – Travel Edition. It will contain 7 of the best travel items/things I used during our trip plus my favourite memory. It is going to be so difficult to pick just one…
This month was full of excitement. I turned 28, saw Aladdin on stage, attended the Big Vegan Market in Melbourne, became a blogger for Vegan Travel and did lots of Europe preparation. I’ve also listed all books read with ratings at the bottom. Now without further ado, let’s get onto my May Faves!
THE BEST OF MAY:
1.) Book – Caraval by Stephanie Garber
In May, I finally got to read Caraval by Stephanie Garber. Having finished The Night Circus in April, I was very excited to read a similar tale under the YA genre. Keep in mind, it is actually very different. What I loved most about this story was how easily it flowed. It was just over 400 pages but I breezed through it in no time. The language was exotic, mysterious and sexy. There were so many twists and turns, it had no trouble keeping my attention and I’m very much looking forward to the sequel. The story follows two sisters Scarlett and Tella who are abused regularly by their cruel, wealthy father. All they have ever wanted is to be invited to Caraval, an annual faraway show put on by the illusive character, Legend. After years of writing letters, they finally receive their own official invitation to Legend’s private island to take part in the performance. They use this opportunity to escape with the help of a sailor but once they arrive, Tella is kidnapped. Scarlett is told it is all part of the show but nevertheless, she is given a certain amount of time to locate her sister after which she will be lost forever. There is so much more to this intriguing story. It reminds me of a fever dream. I highly recommend it!
2.) Theatre Production – Aladdin the Musical
I am still so speechless from this show…
On May 5th, me, my mum and sister went to see Aladdin the Musical at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne. I had been looking forward to this production for over a year now and if you know me…you know I love Disney! Well, it truly did not disappoint. The songs, the acting, the dancing, the singing, the costumes, the special-effects and the colours were outstanding. I particularly loved how they bought the Cave of Wonders to life, introduced new songs and orchestrated the scene with A Whole New World. It was phenomenal. I cannot say much more than that. Before the show started, I bought the tea-light holder above. It’s so beautiful and such a great memento from a wonderful production. Please go see it if you get the opportunity!
3.) Musician – Hunter Hayes
Once again, I am slow to jump on the bandwagon but in May, I was loving American musician Hunter Hayes. Ally Sheehan recommended him through her blog and now I can’t get enough of his songs! I don’t normally like country music but his style is more a mix of country/pop. His songs are perfect for road-trips, stormy weather and romantics like me. My favourite is Young and in Love which I included in My Ultimate Wanderlust Playlist! I also really like Yesterday’s Song, Tattoo and Invisible. Check him out if you haven’t already. Apparently he can play over 30 musical instruments. Wow!
4.) Clothing – Pink Pinafore Dress from SheIn
I am LOVING pink this year! In particular, pastel soft pinks. One of my favourite clothing items in my wardrobe at the moment is my pinafore corduroy dress from SheIn. As it’s quite cold in Melbourne at the moment, I love pairing it with black tights/stockings, boots and my black bell-sleeve top. It’s such a nice bright colour to project on dreary, rainy days. I love the adorable pocket in the front and the thick material. I cannot wait to wear it in spring with a t-shirt and sneakers.
5.) Event – Big Vegan Market
On May 13th, Melbourne hosted its first ever Big Vegan Market at the Royal Exhibition Building. Francis and I went along with one of our friends and it was absolutely packed! I was so happy to see such an amazing turnout. We ate the most delicious food (vegan gnocchi omg) and looked at all the incredible cruelty-free products. I didn’t buy anything as the prices were a tad high but it was good to know all of these goodies existed. It was such a lovely autumn day in Melbourne and so nice not to have to wait until October/November for World Vegan Day. I hope they do it every year from now on!
6.) Season/Nature – Autumn Trees
I know this may seem a strange thing to add to my monthly favourites but this May, I really noticed and loved the beautiful autumn trees everywhere I went. I was in absolute awe of the warm reds, oranges, pinks and yellows. Every morning as I walked to work, I would get to marvel at the gorgeous russet leaves on campus. They filled me with so much happiness. I cannot get over how perfect and incredible nature is. I’m going to miss these colours and the crunch of leaves under my feet as autumn comes to a close. It’s such an aesthetically pleasing season if I do say so myself…
7.) Subscription Box – The YA Chronicles
In January, I posted a review of The Kawaii Box! which I liked but cancelled after March as the products were virtually the same every time. Not long afterwards, I discovered the YA Chronicles Box which is honestly the perfect sub-box for me. It’s an Australian based company that provides subscribers with the latest YA release for that month along with 4-5 bookish gifts all centered around a theme. I have received 4 boxes now and loved every single thing I’ve been given. I use a discount code on all my orders provided by Little Book Owl (check out her YouTube Channel for the code). They sell 1, 3 and 6 month subscriptions along with special edition boxes throughout the year. The books are so beautiful and a lot of them are written by Aussie authors. It feels good to support them as I am one myself. I’m looking forward to reading them all.
This month’s theme for May was I SEE FIRE and I received the following as per the image above:
– Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh. How gorgeous is this cover? I’m so excited to read this dark Mulan retelling.
– The Fireheart Candle based on the Throne of Glass Series (you must read these books!). It smells of honeysuckle, peony and sandalwood. It’s also a 100% soy vegan candle.
– A YA Chronicles Bookmark (you get these in every box but always a different colour)
– A YA Chronicles Card explaining what is inside the box.
– A Catching Fire Blind Bag from the Hunger Games Trilogy. I either got Peeta or Gale. It’s really hard to tell!
– My favourite item in the box…Sailor Mars socks!! I already have Sailor Mercury (which I’ve worn to death) and now I have Rei! So cute, I love them…
– A Fire Nation Bracelet inspired by Avatar and the The Legend of Korra.
– Dragon Sticky Tabs for marking my favourite parts in the books I read (I have so many packets but hey, can you ever have enough?)
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– A pamphlet that demonstrates how to create an Aelin Book Silhouette from the Throne of Glass Series.
I could not love this subscription service more! Thank you YA Chronicles for another incredible box!
8.) Memory – Best Moment of May 2017
Even though it hasn’t technically happened yet – the best moment of May would have to be finally leaving the country for Europe. The weekend just gone was spent packing and being super excited about something we’ve been looking forward to for so long. It still doesn’t feel real and it probably won’t even once we arrive. I believe the best things happen on the 30th. Francis and I were married that day, I met Anne Rice that day in New Orleans and now we leave for Europe that day. If either of our kids are born on the 30th, I won’t be able to deny magic exists! By the way, how cute is this owl mask my auntie bought me for my birthday? Perfect for the flight!
TOTAL BOOKS I READ IN MAY 2017: 4
– Caraval by Stephanie Garber – 4/5 STARS
– Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas (Book #5 of the Throne of Glass Series) – 4/5 STARS
– Landline by Rainbow Rowell – 4/5 STARS
– Thanks for the Trouble by Tommy Wallach – 5/5 STARS
I hope you enjoyed my May Favourites! I am off on a trip of a lifetime – see you when I return!
Peace & Love xoxo
Disclaimer: This post contains links to my Book Depository Affiliate which helps fund my blog, I am not being paid or sponsored for this post/products – all my thoughts/opinions are my own
As usual lovely to see you read a book that you like, Bec! Also it sounded like a wonderful month for you and I hope this year will be amazing for you 😀 I also went to the Big Vegan Market. Didn’t get to try the food because there were long lines but I got a stuffed monkey – thank you so much for telling me and you will get to meet him at some point 😀 Haha, I believe in magic, all day, every day. Anything and everything happens for a reason.
Hope you are having a great Europe trip and are seeing the sights, family and eating great food too! It is winter here in Melbourne, but I am actually enjoying it a lot this year! See you when you get back my friend 🙂 x
Thank you my friend! Europe is so nice and warm and summery. Glad I’m away from the cold haha. Cannot wait to meet your new monkey! Love always xx