For the past couple of months, whenever I've popped into a book store, this red and white cover has been everywhere. Elizabeth Is Missing, by Emma Healey. Seeing as it appeared to be so popular and was a Sunday Times best-seller, I decided to sneakily nab it off my Mum when I saw it on her bookshelf. Instead of reading the blurb or reviews of it online, I just dived right into it. One of the most intriguing and compelling books I've read recently, I felt an eagerness to continue to read right from the word go. Don't worry, there's no major spoilers below if you haven't read it!
Last week was Sleep Awareness Week, but the guys over at Casper, the brains behind a new, mattress brand that's rivaling some of the biggest names in America, have decided that seven days was simply not enough time to fully appreciate the power of getting sufficient zzz's. Instead, they've devoted a whole month to the cause, seeing as the average person spends 26 years of their life in dreamland! To celebrate, they've created a fun graphic to help you decipher which type of sleeper you are, from the cover-collecting 'bed-hogger', to the tech-obsessed 'iSleeper'.
I like to think I have a modest bag collection, but different occasions call for different colours, sizes and styles. Forever changing them up on a daily basis, I spend a few precious minutes in the morning making transfers between my bags. For years, I would abuse my shoulders and back by lugging around a bag almost the same size as me, filled to the brim with practically anything I could fit into it, you know, just in case. Older and wiser, or now that my back lets me know when it's overloaded, I try to only take the important things out with me.
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Sai Nuan Beach, Koh Tao |
For the second half of our Thailand trip, we headed to the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao. As we were there at the start of the rainy season, we stuck to islands on the East Coast to avoid any miserable weather and non-stop downpours. With the white sands, clear waters and lush, green trees, both islands felt like paradise. After the chaos of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, the idyllic beaches and scenes straight from a postcard were just what we needed.
After Bangkok, Chiang Mai was the next stop on our Thailand travels. Situated in the North of the country, this city has a much more relaxed vibe to it. Remnants of the old city walls and the surrounding moat separate the old city from the new. Surrounded by imposing mountains, you have to venture into the hills to really make the most of your experience there.

At the end of June, I did the Thailand travelling 'thing'. Two friends, my boyfriend and I spent a few weeks making our way through the chaotic streets of Bangkok, the leafy hillsides of Chiang Mai, the white sands of Koh Samui and the clear waters of Koh Tao. I know - a cliched, predictable trip. Yes, and we loved it.
Yes, your eyes haven't deceived you; for once I've managed to give you a favourites post at the end of the same month, instead of at the beginning of the next! Although, I thought I'd mix up this months favourites and show you the non-beauty bits I've been loving. After a couple of months of shopping and trying out new products being my last priority, I've well and truly made up for that in August, so watch out for plenty more reviews and exciting Autumn/Winter posts coming soon!