The Fortnightly One #7

"Apply" - The Products
As a blonde with a chronic illness that restricts the amount of time I can spend outside, you can only imagine how washed out my already fair complexion can look after a few weeks of being housebound. Along with ten minute long dozes in the sunshine every couple of days, I've been reaching for some bronzing glow-getters to take the edge off of my ghostly limbs. St Moriz Dark Instant Self Tanning Mousse (£4.99) sounds scary, but even a tanning novice like myself can pull off an even, streak-free and natural looking tan for a fiver once armed with a mitt like this one. For more control over your colour and to decrease your chances of orange elbows, I like Dove Summer Glow Nourishing Lotion (£4.99) as it's easy to apply, affordable and adds the subtlest hint of colour.

"Watch" - The Films, Series & YouTube
During my stay at Will's in Week #25 - see the post here - we went to the cinema to see Maleficent, which was visually stunning. I was so excited to see the untold story of the villain as I loved Disney's Sleeping Beauty growing up and I wasn't disappointed. Even tiny details that made me think "they should've done that differently" were rectified later on in the film, the imaginative graphics were crazy good and as if I couldn't love it any more, Lana Del Rey was singing Once Upon A Dream when the credits rolled. Not forgetting that Angelina was iconic and perfect in every way for the role of Maleficent.

A few days later, we went to see The Fault In Our Stars and boy was it emotional. Having read the book a year or so ago - if you haven't, you must - I thought I knew what I was in for, but nothing could prepare me for the sea of sobbing that the audience in the cinema turned into. You know the sort of choked up crying that makes your chest hurt? It's official, this film is physically painful. Devastating and incredibly sad, yes, but it's uplifting and funny and warm, too - and if you're also chronically ill, I think you'll see it in a different light to 'healthy' people. If there's one film you shouldn't miss this year, this is it. 

Throughout Glastonbury 2014, Will drank it all in amidst the crowds at Worthy Farm whereas I drank a cup of tea on the sofa in my pyjamas watching the BBC coverage. Whilst trying to catch a glimpse of him on the big screen, I caught some of Dolly Parton's performance and since then, I've fallen a little bit in love with the lady. I watched a documentary on her life story and it's just incredible, I never knew how down to earth and fabulously hilarious she is and I'm now a big fan in the making. Next stop: Dollywood.



"Eat" - The Food
One word: pancakes. Will and I took a trip to the Suffolk Heritage Coast where I had the most amazing buttermilk and vanilla pancakes with berries and creme fraiche, and I'm now on a mission to recreate them at home. Does one need some sort of baking machinery to create thick, fluffy, American-style pancakes? Enlighten me in the comments if you know!

Heaven on a plate courtesy of The Westleton Crown

"Read" - The Books, Blogs & Magazines
Gemma at Gem's Maquillage was one of the first beauty bloggers I ever started following. Recently I've seriously been loving her lifestyle posts, which have been helping to keep me motivated and I strongly urge you to take a look at Keep Your Chin Up - Staying Positive With Perspective and On Falling Back In Love With Blogging for a serious dose of 'keepin' it real'. She makes the blogging world a better and more content place to be - here's to bigging up Gemma and her refreshingly honest attitude.

"Wear" - The Style, Sleepwear & Loungewear
Thanks to a recommendation from Will's mum I've taken up Pilates and am finding it wonderfully therapeutic and relaxing on days where I feel well enough for a short session - cue hunting for pretty workout clothes and a brightly coloured yoga mat. You can spend so much money on sportswear these days but if you're after an affordable alternative that's just as cute as some of the pricier brands - I'm yet to receive my order, but I'll be sure to let you know what the quality is like soon - I recommend checking out H&M's Sportswear. 

"Listen" - The Music
Told you I was a little bit in love with DP...

...and for anyone who wants music made forty years after the 70s - JB. (And no, not Biebs).

"Inspire" - The Quotes
Continuing with the Gemma-loving theme, have a scroll through her Words of Wisdom board on Pinterest for more encouragement. Meg fact: 'today' is my favourite word.

What has been your favourite thing to apply, watch, eat, read, wear, listen to or be inspired by this fortnight?

Meg

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