January + February Favourites

Monday, February 26, 2018
Today's post is a little different but it's also very overdue as I haven't published any monthly favourites posts for so long and I'm starting with a round up of beauty favourites, food favourites and general lifestyle favourites of the year so far as well as a few recommendations of places to visit in/near Manchester.

*Lyons Coffee (£2.60)
I'm definitely a coffee drinker, I drink at least one cup of coffee a day otherwise I won't feel as though I can be productive. I usually drink lattes but recently I've been drinking the Lyons Coffee No.3 which is basically fresh ground coffee in a giant teabag...I haven't come across anything like it before and it's so convenient, quick and delicious.

There are 18 within each box and they would be perfect for work! All you have to do is pour water over the gigantic coffee bag, steep and and enjoy - I usually add in a little gingerbread syrup. Every time you purchase a box, they will make a donation to Project Waterfall which is committed to providing sustainable and safe water supplies for coffee growing communities around the world which is fantastic!
*Light Bites Chocolate Cookie Caramel Flavour Bar (£1.25)
Snack bars are some of my favourite sweeter snacks, I used to eat so many cereal bars growing up but now I'm looking for a healthier alternative as some cereal or snack bars can be full of sugar. This chocolate cookie caramel flavour is so delicious, it's almost a healthier Mars bar. It's suitable for vegetarians, the bars are high in fibre and a good source of protein.

*Earthwater - Fulhum 
Now onto something a little unusual in it's packaging and appearance - it's black water. I personally like the unique packaging and I have been trying to drink more water this year and these have definitely been helping this month, even though it is a little disconcerting drinking black coloured water!

The water contains over 70 trace minerals which can help to lower blood pressure, maintain nutrient levels in the body's cells, remove toxins, enable a more restful sleep and enable a better hormone and electrolyte balance. There are a couple of variations available but I have the Fulhum version which contains fulvic/humic mineral complexes. Don't be put off by the black colour, it just tastes like mineral water and it's been helping me reach the recommend water intake each day!
*Light Bites Popped Crisps (99p each)
When it comes to snacking, the main snack I am always drawn towards are savoury snacks, especially popcorn and crisps. The Light Bites popped crisps are a healthier alternative to other crisps as they are only 95 calories per bag, they are high in protein because they contains soya and chickpeas and they are low in saturated fat.

I was kindly sent three of the flavours including: sweet and smoky chipotle, pesto and sun-dried tomato and roasted shallot and cider vinegar, the latter was definitely my favourite as they were so moreish. All three flavour options are so unique, they're a great healthier snack and they are very inexpensive.
Perricone MD No Makeup Concealer 
Next up, I wanted to mention a couple of beauty favourites that I've been loving over the past two months including my current favourite concealer - Perricone MD No Makeup Concealer. I have very dry skin especially during the winter but this concealer (and the matching foundation) is perfect for the colder weather as it doesn't emphasise dryness at all but it still provides coverage!

Beauty Blender 
Another makeup favourite has to be my new Beauty Blender which I was very kindly sent a few weeks ago and I've been using it constantly since then. I've tried numerous beauty blender dupes as well as the real thing a few years ago and I loved it so I'm glad to have another. It's been my go-to beauty tool especially with the Perricone MD foundation and concealer - I cannot recommend the original Beauty Blender enough.
Chetham's Library 
One of my goals for 2018 was to visit more historic places, parks and interesting sites within my own city and I've started really well with this goal as in January and February I've visited Ordsall Hall, Chetham's Library, Manchester Cathedral, Tandle Hill and John Rylands Library, most of which I've wanted to visit for a while but haven't got round to until now.

Chetham's Library is very close to Manchester Cathedral so we visited both in the same day and I cannot recommend a visit to Chetham's Library enough if you live in or near Manchester as it's an incredible historic gem in the city that I don't think many people know about.

Chetham's Library is the oldest public library in the English speaking world and it's based in my home city! The building itself dates from 1421 and it was used as a library since 1655. As it is part of the Chetham's School of Music, you can't go in without a guide as it is a working school, just as you can't just walk into any high school!

We went on a guided tour and it was amazing, the guide was so knowledgeable and the library itself is straight out of Hogwarts! There are chained books, furniture dating from the 1600's and a table where Karl Marx sat. If you are visiting Manchester then you need to visit Chetham's Library - check out their website for times to visit.
John Rylands Library 
Another library we visited this year is John Rylands which is definitely more well known and visited than Chetham's Library but it only dates from the late 1800's. They hold guided tours every Wednesday and Friday so we went on a tour and it was well worth it as the guided gave us the backstory of the building, it's history and more. Both the tours for Chetham's Library and John Rylands Library were free.

As well as Chetham's Library, John Rylands Library is an incredible building with impressive Hogwarts-like architecture! The historic reading room is almost part Hogwarts, part cathedral. It's another historic site in Manchester that we hadn't been in before and I'd definitely recommend visiting. If you follow me on instagram you will have seen all of the historic places and parks I've visited already.
Those were just some of my favourites for the year so far, there are more including the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation (which I was wearing constantly last week), my amazing Black + Blum Eau Good Filter Water Bottle and the Follow Your Heart Vegan Ranch (a very random trio of products, I know). I've also been loving the BookBeat app for my audiobooks which I'll have a post on very soon so stay tuned.

What have been your stand out products from this year so far? Have you visited Chetham's Library or John Rylands Library? 

23 comments

  1. I've never been to Chetham's Library or John Ryland's Library before babe but I want to now! They look like such beautiful places. I also cannot live without my Beauty Blender! Great blog post babe, thank you for sharing 🌸✨

    With love, Alisha Valerie x | www.alishavalerie.com

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  2. I love library's they are all so stunning, happily spend all day in them! I love the look of the black water, its so odd, yet so cool! :)

    Erin || MakeErinOver

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  3. The library looks so lovely.
    I keep meaning to go to my local one.

    http://littlemissmelanie.com

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  4. Goodness me, black water seems a bit unnerving haha! I drink SO much water anyway so I wouldn't need anything to help me drink more. I love the sound of those crisps, especially the sun dried tomato and pesto! Yum!

    Jenny
    http://www.jennyinneverland.com

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  5. Those photos - you make me want to both read more and travel more! x

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  6. Those libraries are pretty amazing! Easy to see why they made your favourites :)

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  7. Coffee in a bag sounds perfect!! I'm so glad you shared it. Libraries are amazing!

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  8. The libraries are stunning, I love the sound of the crisp to x

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  9. I adore those pop chips ! And I definitely need to try more from Perricone M.D. xx

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  10. I love reading favourites posts and I’ve just dug out that very concealer x

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  11. Those popped crisps look lovely. I would love to try that concealer!

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  12. The Chocolate Cookie bar sounds amazing! As do the Popped Crisps xo

    Char | www.charslittleblog.co.uk

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  13. The library looks so magical, almost like you've taken it out of the world of harry potter! Love <3

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  14. Ah you sold me on the healthy mars bar! I need to try that x

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  15. I've had a few treats from Light Bites in my Degustabox and loved them all. This flavour sounds delicious.

    Roxie | thebeautifulbluebird.com

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  16. The Light Bites bars are so delicious, I love them so much! xx
    www.imjustagirl16.co.uk

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  17. I want to see more of the local sights this year too - so many of the touristy things I've never even done!

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  18. I love light bites! Their snacks are so good x

    Gemma Louise

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  19. Bring me all the Lyons coffee please as it’s all I drink!!

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  20. Perricone MD really are such a great brand for good coverage aren't they x

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  21. That Perricone MD concealer sounds great! My skin has been so dry lately!
    Chantelle x
    The Girl In The Tartan Scarf

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  22. I love this post! I definitely can't live without my beauty blender, it makes putting on my foundation super fast! x


    Joyce Lau

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  23. I love the sound of that coffee!

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