April Lockdown Favourites

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Ok, so this month’s favourites are a little different this time around but then isn’t everything different right now? My April favourites are a reflection of what my new routine looks a lot like. I do have a bit of my usual array of mentions to keep things balanced.

But what strange times we find ourselves in. Some days I can leap out of bed and get my morning routine off to a flying start. Others are spent battling to get out of bed and start my day. You’ve got to take the rough with the smooth and there’s a lot of ups and downs more now than ever. There is something about this new life I am adjusting to that really throws my sleeping pattern off, way off! I lie in bed at night taking what feels like a lifetime to drop off, once I have I wake often and face the same battle to get back to sleep. Then some days I boss my to-do list while others I wander the house like a lost puppy with no sense of purpose.

Some of the favourites I’m about to mention are ways I’ve found to help to deal with my lack of routine and structure, something I struggle without. So without further ado, let me share with you my April favourites.

Yoga With Adriene

I used to practice yoga years ago and I always enjoyed it but somehow, it sort of fell by the wayside. Ever since I had always intended on getting back into it. Finding myself newly furloughed there had never been a better time to start. I began my first day of furlough by starting on Adriene’s Home 30-day yoga journey and I can only wonder why it took me so long. Never mind, the point is that I am here now. Adriene has a vast amount of videos on her YouTube channel including 5 separate 30-day yoga journeys to follow. She also has a lot of specific videos, for example, yoga for backache, runners, anxiety, wind down, morning routines to name but a few. On top of yoga, she also has some meditation videos that I’ve tried and also loved.

The practices are for all abilities and all poses and moves can be adapted to suit the individual. The 30-day journeys make for a great starting point as they start out at a more basic level and gradually work up to more intermediate levels. That said there has been nothing I’ve found myself unable to do. Granted my flexibility leaves a lot to be desired but even in the short time I’ve been doing yoga, I have found my flexibility and strength improve.

I do this every morning as my first port of call and it’s a really great way to start my days and offer up some sort of routine.

Lululemon Yoga Mat

After throwing myself into yoga I soon discovered my current mat was less than ideal. I did a little research on well-reviewed yoga mats and it wasn’t long until I happened upon Lululemon mats. The rave reviews had my ears pricked up and the colour selection sealed the deal for me. They come in both 3mm and 5mm mats and many are reversible for a 2-in-1 added bonus. I opted for the 5mm mauve reversible mat and I’m so pleased with it. It’s so much wider and thicker than my current mat. I no longer get sore knees and wrists from too little padding and grip. The colour selections are so cute too.

My mat is quickly becoming my happy place, I love to wake up and step onto it, setting myself up for the day ahead.

Disney Plus

I wasn’t too sure whether or not I’d subscribe to Disney Plus. On the face of it, the channel was ideal for me, it was home to all of my favourites, Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars. It didn’t make a whole lot of sense for me not to subscribe really. Like a lot of us, I found myself at home most of the time due to being recently furloughed. As soon as I was home I downloaded the app and subscribed. I’ve never looked back, there is such a vast amount of content available. I adore the exclusive shows, especially The Imagineering Story and The Mandalorian. For a mere £5.99 a month it is great value for money and a real godsend at the moment. It is definitely helping to keep me sane.

Loungewear – Topshop, The White Company & Boohoo

Aside from pyjamas and fitness clothing, all I wear these days is loungewear. I decided it was time to add in some key pieces to my small collection. The first thing I knew I wanted was a comfy pair of joggers, petite joggers so they wouldn’t be excessively long on my short legs. Fortunately, Topshop had me covered with a pair of grey marl joggers. They fit me perfectly and they’re oh so comfy! My new go-to in my loungewear wardrobe. Next was the cutest pair of short pyjamas from The White Company purely because of how much Beth Sandland raved about them. Not to mention they were in the sale so how could I not? My final item is, of course, Disney, seemingly I’m having a real Disney moment. Boohoo have such a great range of Disney clothing and I couldn’t help myself, my new Minnie Mouse Tee is ideal for chilled days.

H&M Home

I’ve decided to spend some of my new-found wealth of time to switch up some home decor. H&M is one of my go-to places to grab some new pieces. They never fail me and this time was no exception. I may have fallen into a rattan shaped rabbit hole on this particular shop, but you like what you like. I bought a gorgeous rattan tray, rattan mirror and a ceramic candle jar with print motif. I’m loving the set up I have created with these pieces. I am definitely here for rattan home pieces.

Elizabeth Scarlett Makeup Bag & Eye Mask

I only recently discovered Elizabeth Scarlett. Shocking I know. It wasn’t long before I was well and truly smitten with all of the beautiful products and equally beautiful designs. I knew almost instantly I would be placing an order but of what I wasn’t sure. Like a child in a sweet shop, I didn’t know where to look first. I settled on a modest two items, the African Palmier Makeup Bag and Pink Velvet Zebra Eye Mask. They are both gorgeous and I can’t wait to order more pieces from the brand. I definitely plan to add one of the larger everyday pouches to my collection but what design? It’s so difficult to choose between them.

Beauty Pie

Ok, so Beauty Pie is my current obsession. I love the membership scheme they offer and the value for money is insane!! The products are all created to a luxury standard for such an affordable factory price point. They have such a vast range of products that include skincare, cosmetics, hair care, body care, and even candles. I’ve only tried skincare myself but some of my standout products are Japanfusion Pure Transforming Cleanser, both Pure Double Vitamin C and Vitamin E Serum Superactive Capsules, Super Retinol Night Renewal Moisturiser and the Plantastic Micropeeling Drops. I’m working my way through more of their skincare so my list of favourites is growing.

I have a full post on how Beauty Pie works and a review on some skincare which I’ve been trying here.

Too Faced Born This Way Eyeshadow Palette

Finally, some makeup getting an honourable mention! I’ve found myself rarely wearing makeup lately but if there’s one thing sure to tempt me back, it’s an eyeshadow palette. The second I laid eyes on the first images of this palette online it was a done deal. The only thing I needed to see were the reviews and to my delight, they were all rave. I patiently waited for the launch in the UK which seemed to take forever.

I finally snapped her up. What an absolute beauty she is too. Neutrals are my jam so of course, this palette is right up my street. The shades and arrangement are so aesthetically pleasing to my palette loving heart. I just wish I had reason to wear it at the moment. The great thing is that this is an all year round palette so I can get a lot of use of it.

So there we have it. My list of loves for the month of April.

If like me you enjoy a monthly favourites post, I’ll leave my March Favourites here.

How has April been for you? Do you have any monthly favourites?