December 2014 Favourites!!!

Hi everyone! (long time, no speak)

I hope 2015 is treating you well. I know it's customary to post your "favourites of the month" blog at the start of the next month, but here's mine anyway!

This is my first "monthly favourites" post, and my lists will consist of literally anything I have enjoyed in the previous month.

Here is a list of some of my favourite things from December 2014!


Links to where I purchased any products mentioned can be found at the bottom of the page.

• Interlude Man by Amouage

Interlude Man by Amouage

Amouage is undoubtedly one of my favourite fragrance houses. Although their scents are most definitely on the pricier side, you're sure to get the absolute best quality. Luxurious and complex fragrances, incredible projection, longevity that could (probably) go on for days and immaculate presentation. 

Interlude Man is an incredibly rich, dark, smokey oriental revolving around notes of incense, oppopanax, amber and oud, along with some other notes. I've heard that (with Interlude), Amouage wanted to create a scent that is symbolic of chaos resolving to an interlude moment of peace. I think that is a perfect description. It opens with an incredibly bold blast of smokey incense and spices which gradually becomes smoother and creamier. 

My sister (Poppy's Constellations) once described the dry down as smelling like white chocolate. 

I could talk for hours about this scent (perhaps I'll review it?)
I purchased this in January last year and I've loved wearing it over the winter. It is VERY strong, so be careful when/where you wear it. The warming smokiness of this scent seems to fit the cold weather perfectly.

It is my second favourite Amouage though. My favourite is Lyric Man, which I also own and tend to wear as my 'special occasion' scent.

• Brooklyn Boot by Vegetarian Shoes

Brooklyn Boot (Brown) by Vegetarian Shoes

These are easily my most worn pair of shoes and I love them! They go with pretty much anything and I can never go wrong with them. 

I discovered Vegetarian Shoes during my last year of college (when I decided to start a vegetarian diet) and since then I try to avoid materials like leather and suede wherever possible.
Anyone who is the same may know that it's incredibly tough to find 'leather-look' shoes that are good quality, if you're still searching then Vegetarian Shoes is the place for you. 

I believe that the majority of (if not all) Vegetarian Shoes' products are also vegan friendly and use no animal products whatsoever!

This pair of shoes is made out of a breathable microfibre known as 'Vegetan Bucky'. The shoes are padded to make wearing comfortable and they're very resistant against water. I've had them for about eighteen months now and you can see from my pictures that they still look new!

• 'Little Devil' Fragrance Lamp and 'Midnight Oud' fragrance by Ashleigh & Burwood

Ashleigh & Burwood 'Little Devil' Fragrance Lamp

As you've probably guessed by now, I like things that smell nice. I do collect scents that I can wear on my skin, but I also think that the perfect home scents are very important.

This is my first fragrance lamp and it was a little Christmas present to myself (don't judge me).
Purchasing a fragrance lamp is something I'd been considering for quite a while, but was put off just by the fact I didn't know very much about them.
Now I'm kicking myself for not buying one sooner, because they can save you so much money compared to what you may spend on things like scented candles!

The scent I purchased for my lamp is 'Midnight Oud'. It was a blind buy but considering I have an interest in perfumery I've found that oud is a note I'm often drawn to. The scent is really stunning! 

It smelt so luxurious and quickly filled up the whole house (let alone the room I was in) 

What I like most about fragrance lamps is that they only need to be on for approximately twenty minutes to fill up a room, and the scent lingers for at least an hour afterwards. Another great thing is the lamps themselves look absolutely beautiful. 

You can also switch the scent whenever you like. I purchased 'Antique Amber' the other day and now I can't decide which scent I like more!

• Racine Carrée by Stromae

Racine Carrée by Stromae

I know that this album came out in 2013 and I'm a little late discovering Stromae. 

Sadly, non-english language music tends to go unnoticed here in the UK. Stromae was first brought to my attention after I saw him being interviewed for CBC Radio Q. I thought he seemed like a cool, interesting guy so I decided to check out his music. 

I instantly fell in love with this album. His combination of highly-conceptualised songs with incredibly catchy dance beats is impossible to dislike!
This album makes me wish I spoke french. I've read numerous translations of his songs and I can see how clever his lyrics and ideas are.
His wit and intense performance style reminds me a lot of Jacques Brel. 

Favourite Tracks: Tous les mêmes, Bâtard, Humain à l'eau

• Yves Saint Laurent (2014) directed by Jalil Lespert

Yves Saint Laurent (2014)

This is a film I'd definitely recommend to anyone who loves fashion and/or biographical films. Reviews of this film have been generally quite negative but I thought it was excellent. Yves Saint Laurent is someone I admire for how innovative he was. The film primarily focuses on his relationship with his partner, Pierre Bergé, but it does document his life from his beginnings at Dior right up until his last years. 

I must admit, I can't say how true the storyline stays to Yves Saint Laurent's life, but the performances and cinematography are great and the storyline is captivating nonetheless.

It is a film I really enjoyed and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has an interest in fashion.

• RuPaul's Drag Race

Need I say more?
If you aren't watching this show then what are you doing with your life?!

I started watching Drag Race in July last year and since then I've developed an unhealthy obsession with it! So far, I've watched season 4, 5 and 6 and I'm approximately half way through season 2. 

Some of my favourite queens that I've come across so far include Bianca Del Rio, Willam, Alaska and many more!

I'm gagging for Season 7!
From first impressions, I'm really excited to see what Max and Katya have to offer. 

And that's it! 
Thank you so much for reading this. I want to update this blog more often. I have a post on my music blog coming very soon, so please be sure to check that out. 

Josh :-)


Where I purchased these products...

1. Interlude Man (100ml) by Amouage - Purchased from my local perfumery, The Royal Perfumery, Wigan (UK)
2. Brooklyn Boot by Vegetarian Shoes from vegetarian-shoes.co.uk
3. Ashleigh & Burwood 'Little Devil' Fragrance Lamp from ashleigh-burwood.co.uk
4. Ashleigh & Burwood 'Midnight Oud' Lamp Fragrance from ashleigh-burwood.co.uk
5. Racine Carrée by Stromae
6. Yves Saint Laurent (2014)
7. RuPaul's Drag Race is available to view on LogoTV and Netflix

Disclaimer - Images of Interlude Man, Brooklyn Boots and Fragrance Lamp were taken by me. All other images and videos are not owned by me. All images and videos have been used solely for the purpose of review. No copyright infringement intended. 

- There are many other retailers from which all of these products can be purchased from. None of these are sponsored.