2016 has been a pretty crappy year for a lot of people, and to tell the truth, I'm kind of looking forward to it ending (while simultaneously being terrified of what 2017 will bring). As it's the end of the year, I have decided to focus on the little things that have made 2016 somewhat bearable. Below are all my favourites of 2016; there's some bookish stuff, some beauty/skin stuff and some film/TV/music and food things that I couldn't include in a photo which I have just shoved on at the end. Enjoy!
Bookish:
1) Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase #2) by Rick Riordan - I loved this book! I mean, I love anything Rick Riordan, so this should come as no surprise, but this book in particular, wow. It was hilarious (I loved Magnus's sense of humour), it was insightful, it was a great follow up to the first book and the ending. The ENDING. Rick is king of cliffhangers. And Otis is my favourite character. Just saying.
2) The Creeping Shadow (Lockwood & Co #4) by Jonathan Stroud - are these books getting creepier? I think they are. Plus, this book was very interesting because it started off with Lucy on her own, doing freelance work. And...dare I say it? Progress? Between Lucy and Lockwood? It's been four books and we're at the stage where they held hands ONCE. And this is progress. The Skull is pretty much the only one who has a clue right now.
3) Trouble Makes a Comeback (Trouble #2) by Stephanie Tromly - not pictured because I also have this on Kindle and couldn't show two things at once...plus I already did a whole review on it (see here). It was so good though that it has to be mentioned in my favourites. You've got to love Zoe and Digby.
4) Sword of Gryffindor Necklace - so my friend bought this for me for Christmas last year, but I have worn it so much this year that I have to include it. She got it from a Christmas market in Cambridge but I'm pretty sure the one I've linked to on Etsy is exactly the same, if you're interested. It's so pretty! You can see it clearer in the image below. I just wear it with everything (and I'm not even a Gryffindor).
5) Harry Potter Card Wallet - so my lovely work colleagues bought this (and a bunch of other Harry Potter goodies) for me as a leaving gift on my last day. I love it! My old Oyster card holder was dying, so it's nice to have a nice new one with a Harry Potter theme.
Beauty/Skincare:
6) Bioré Charcoal Cleanser - so I have really problem skin in the sense that most of my face is very dry, but my forehead is oily, and is where I get the most spots (literally, constantly, all the time, it drives me mad). This cleanser really helps control my oil levels, as well as prevent those horrible painful spots from appearing on my forehead all the time. Unfortunately I don't think a product exists that will prevent any spots from appearing ever, but this cleanser does the best I could expect a product to do (you can see from how empty it is in the pic below that I use it all the time).
7) Superdrug Tea Tree Spot Stick - if you want another skincare product that actually works, and is cheap, this is for you. This stick has worked wonders for my forehead spots. It honestly gets rid of them in about two days (three if it's the horrible ones). And while it doesn't really prevent them from reappearing, I'm really impressed with just how quickly it does help control blemishes. Highly recommended!
8) Garnier Pure Active 3-in-1 Wash, Scrub, Mask - I really like this because you can use it three ways. I mostly use it as a scrub, but when I have a lot of blemishes, I use it as a mask, and find that it has a really nice cooling and soothing effect. It smells terrible, but it's worth putting up with for the actual effect of the product.
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| No, my photos have not gotten any better, and yes, I am still blaming my terrible phone camera, even though I know that's only half the problem... |
Bookish:
1) Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase #2) by Rick Riordan - I loved this book! I mean, I love anything Rick Riordan, so this should come as no surprise, but this book in particular, wow. It was hilarious (I loved Magnus's sense of humour), it was insightful, it was a great follow up to the first book and the ending. The ENDING. Rick is king of cliffhangers. And Otis is my favourite character. Just saying.
2) The Creeping Shadow (Lockwood & Co #4) by Jonathan Stroud - are these books getting creepier? I think they are. Plus, this book was very interesting because it started off with Lucy on her own, doing freelance work. And...dare I say it? Progress? Between Lucy and Lockwood? It's been four books and we're at the stage where they held hands ONCE. And this is progress. The Skull is pretty much the only one who has a clue right now.
3) Trouble Makes a Comeback (Trouble #2) by Stephanie Tromly - not pictured because I also have this on Kindle and couldn't show two things at once...plus I already did a whole review on it (see here). It was so good though that it has to be mentioned in my favourites. You've got to love Zoe and Digby.
4) Sword of Gryffindor Necklace - so my friend bought this for me for Christmas last year, but I have worn it so much this year that I have to include it. She got it from a Christmas market in Cambridge but I'm pretty sure the one I've linked to on Etsy is exactly the same, if you're interested. It's so pretty! You can see it clearer in the image below. I just wear it with everything (and I'm not even a Gryffindor).
5) Harry Potter Card Wallet - so my lovely work colleagues bought this (and a bunch of other Harry Potter goodies) for me as a leaving gift on my last day. I love it! My old Oyster card holder was dying, so it's nice to have a nice new one with a Harry Potter theme.
Beauty/Skincare:
6) Bioré Charcoal Cleanser - so I have really problem skin in the sense that most of my face is very dry, but my forehead is oily, and is where I get the most spots (literally, constantly, all the time, it drives me mad). This cleanser really helps control my oil levels, as well as prevent those horrible painful spots from appearing on my forehead all the time. Unfortunately I don't think a product exists that will prevent any spots from appearing ever, but this cleanser does the best I could expect a product to do (you can see from how empty it is in the pic below that I use it all the time).
7) Superdrug Tea Tree Spot Stick - if you want another skincare product that actually works, and is cheap, this is for you. This stick has worked wonders for my forehead spots. It honestly gets rid of them in about two days (three if it's the horrible ones). And while it doesn't really prevent them from reappearing, I'm really impressed with just how quickly it does help control blemishes. Highly recommended!
8) Garnier Pure Active 3-in-1 Wash, Scrub, Mask - I really like this because you can use it three ways. I mostly use it as a scrub, but when I have a lot of blemishes, I use it as a mask, and find that it has a really nice cooling and soothing effect. It smells terrible, but it's worth putting up with for the actual effect of the product.
9) Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream - I know I'm late to the party with these, but honestly, these are some of the best lip products I've ever owned, and they're such great value. They're matte but not drying, soft and creamy in texture, really pigmented, long-lasting and they smell amazing! The two colours I have pictures below, from left to right, are Amsterdam and Cannes.
10) Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm - another lip product and the saviour of my terrible dry, broken, cracked lips. I have the driest lips ever. They are so dry. I have tried every lip treatment I can think of. I have spent ridiculous amounts of money trying to treat them. The only thing that has ever done anything is this lip balm. It has a really weird thick, waxy consistency, but I put it on before bed, and when I wake up, my lips are actually soft. They aren't cracked. Or if they have been cracked, they're on the mend. It's the only thing I've ever found that remotely works for me, and while it's on the pricey side, I'm happy to keep repurchasing.
11) Benefit Boi-ing Concealer - I have the darkest circles under my eyes. Nothing covers them. This concealer is supposedly an "industrial" strength concealer, and while it doesn't cover my circles completely (nothing short of Dulux will), I have to admit, it's probably the best concealer I've used so far. Definitely reduces the darkness. I also have this in the lightest shade, and it's a pretty good match for my skin, and I usually struggle to find a match because I'm so pale. It's not perfect, and I struggle to justify the price...but of all the concealers out there, I think this is doing the best job for me.
11) Benefit Boi-ing Concealer - I have the darkest circles under my eyes. Nothing covers them. This concealer is supposedly an "industrial" strength concealer, and while it doesn't cover my circles completely (nothing short of Dulux will), I have to admit, it's probably the best concealer I've used so far. Definitely reduces the darkness. I also have this in the lightest shade, and it's a pretty good match for my skin, and I usually struggle to find a match because I'm so pale. It's not perfect, and I struggle to justify the price...but of all the concealers out there, I think this is doing the best job for me.
12) L'Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Feline Mascara - I have round eyes, and sparse eyelashes, so I am always looking for a mascara that is both volumising and able to push my eyelashes out an angle on the side so that my eyes don't look so round. This mascara does both of those things, and to top it off, has a shiny finish and smells really great (I have a habit of sniffing it...don't judge me).
13) The Library of Fragrance, Cherry Blossom - I love The Library of Fragrance! I love the packaging, the unique smells, the price point - everything. The cherry blossom scent is one of my favourites. It's very wearable, and can easily be your every day fragrance, and it's also not so floral that it'll make your head spin. The only downfall of this range is that the scent doesn't last very long - but at £15, who can complain, really?
Fashion:
14) ASOS Magical Loafers - so I'm not just saying this because I used to work at ASOS, but I love these shoes SO MUCH. Mostly because they actually fit me. I have the oddest shaped feet - wide at the front, very narrow at the back. Most flat shoes slip off at the back because my heels are so narrow, but I can't buy narrow shoes because then they won't fit the front of my feet. What is a girl to do? Well, these shoes are perfect because they somehow adapt to the shape of my feet. I think it's because the fabric is so flexible - but I can wear them without my feet slipping out! They truly are magical. I love them so much I bought them in the oxblood colour too. They're faux suede with metal detailing - and loafers never really go out of style.
TV/Film/Music:
15) Stranger Things - if you haven't watched Stranger Things, you're either living under a rock, or avoiding it on purpose, in which case, you should watch it anyway, even if you think it's overhyped, because how else will you ever, truly know? (It's so good, I promise you.) It has a sort of Goonies vibe, but then is also really creepy and jumpy, and is excellent. The cast is excellent, the story is excellent, the ending is excellent, it's just excellent. And there's going to be a season 2! What are your theories? [spoilers, highlight to view]What will happen to Will? Where is Eleven (she's totally alive, I know it)? Will there be justice for Barb? Will Nancy get with Jonathan?[end of spoilers]. Also, if you've seen Stranger Things, and you're a fan of Parks & Recreation, please watch this!
16) Hamilton soundtrack - not going to say anything. You've heard enough from me about how much I love Hamilton.
17) Spiderman Homecoming trailer - asdfghjk. I'm so excited for this. You don't understand. You don't understand! I know it's not out for so long, but the trailer is so good! Peter Parker in school! Tom Holland seems like he'll be a fantastic Peter Parker, and after so many bad Spiderman movies, I have hope that we're finally, finally going to get one that does it justice.
17) Spiderman Homecoming trailer - asdfghjk. I'm so excited for this. You don't understand. You don't understand! I know it's not out for so long, but the trailer is so good! Peter Parker in school! Tom Holland seems like he'll be a fantastic Peter Parker, and after so many bad Spiderman movies, I have hope that we're finally, finally going to get one that does it justice.
18) Guardians of the Galaxy 2 trailer - BABY GROOT!
Food:
19) Pulsin' Almond and Raisin Raw Chocolate Brownies - I couldn't include these in a photo...because I ate them all. Just imagine a squishy bar of chocolatey almondy raisiny goodness, but made from raw ingredients so it's actually not bad for you. Are you hungry yet? I am.
And those are my favourites of the year! What are your favourites of 2016? Do we share any of the same?
