Filling My Cup

With Joy

Hey gang,

Firstly… sorry I’ve been a bit quiet on here lately. Work has been CRAZY busy, and honestly, I just haven’t had the time to properly sit down and get my head into writing.

One thing I’ve always wanted this platform to be is an extension of me, not just somewhere I post for the sake of posting. I never want to fill it with unnecessary drivel or force content just to hit a schedule. So I’ve decided I’m not going to pressure myself into posting every single week anymore. I don’t want this newsletter to become a repeat of what I share elsewhere and feared it was becoming that. By taking the pressure off, it can become more personal, a little peek into what I’ve been loving, watching, wearing, how I’ve been feeling and what I’ve been doing lately in life, both professionally and personally. I’d like it to be something useful for you guys and somewhere you get a little more of me too 😊.

Sometimes I struggle to separate those two parts of me. There’s the MUA part, where discretion is everything, it’s never about me, it’s about the person in my chair. It’s such an intimate and private environment. When I’m working I naturally switch off my ‘social media’ brain. Then there is the social media part, which is constantly creating ideas for content, filming, editing, working with brands and it never stops. Both parts I love, I find it hard switching between the two, and then find the transition to sitting down and writing about myself & the things I love surprisingly difficult and more time consuming than people may realise. So I would like to thank you for being patient with me - I appreciate it hugely.

That being said, I have really enjoyed thinking about all the things that have been filling my cup recently! So let’s get into it!

Books:

I recently read ‘Her Husband’s Wife’ by Alice Feeney and WOW.

For me, a book has to hook me in the first chapter or I’m done, and this absolutely did that. The premise alone is enough to pull you in: a woman goes for a run, comes home, and her key no longer works. Another woman answers the door and tells her she’s mistaken… because this is her house, her family, and her husband!

It’s twisty, fast-paced, gripping and exactly what you want from a thriller. I’ve always loved Alice Feeney books, ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ is still one of my favourites, but this one genuinely kept me guessing right until the end. If you’re looking for a thriller that pulls you straight in, definitely give it a go.

TV:

Can we PLEASE talk about The Pitt?

If, like me, you were obsessed with ER back in the day and also loved Grey’s Anatomy (although I admittedly checked out around season 8 because honestly… how many dramatic life events can one person survive?!) Then this is absolutely for you.

The whole series is set up in hourly slots during one hospital shift in the emergency room, which makes it feel so intense. Noah Wylie is brilliant in it, and the whole thing feels incredibly realistic & gritty, and at times gory but while still being very entertaining.

I LOVE it.

My only complaint? Waiting a whole week for the next episode. Torture!

Films:

I went into ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ fully prepared to be disappointed… and I was pleasantly surprised.

I adore the first film, but lately I’ve found so many movies feel overly cheesy, with product placement so obvious it becomes distracting. It gives me major Sex and the City movie flashbacks, and listen, I’m a SATC girl forever, but the films felt like every designer brand in the world had exploded onto the screen.

So, I worried Devil Wears Prada 2 might feel similar, but thankfully it didn’t. I found it sophisticated, funny, surprisingly relatable, and I really loved seeing how the characters had grown. I even dragged my partner along, who absolutely wasn’t interested and even he enjoyed it in the end.

I’ve also been fully back in my 90s thriller era recently. Things like The Firm, The Pelican Brief and Double Jeopardy (which I’ve probably watched 20 times at this point).

There’s just something about those action-packed “whodunnit” thrillers where the goodie wins in the end. Elite cinema if you ask me.

Clothes:

I’ve been on the hunt for some holiday bits recently because I’m going away with my mum and half the family soon. We genuinely have no idea what the weather’s going to do, so I’ve been looking for pieces that work in sunshine but can also be layered with trousers and jumpers if needed.

And honestly? Next has been my go-to lately. They’ve had SO many lovely bits in. I’ll tag a few favourites soon, but definitely check out my Instagram too because I’ve been doing lots of try-ons over there.

Makeup:

I’m still loving the Tropic CC Satin Skin Tint in Medium. Such a gorgeous light weight everyday base. And it’s a SPF 50 so it’s perfect for the warmer months.

And can we talk cream blushes? There are SO many amazing ones out there right now, but the ones from MUA Makeup Academy are incredible for the price. Beautiful pigment, lovely finish on the skin, loads of shades… I truly believe MUA is such an underrated brand. Affordable products that perform just as well as some high-end makeup!

Skincare:

FINALLY… my perioral dermatitis has calmed down!! Woooo!

My skin is still super sensitive though, so I’m being really careful with what I use. One product I always come back to is the Hada Labo Tokyo Intense Hydrating Lotion. My skin drinks it up every single time. It leaves everything feeling thoroughly hydrated, bouncy and glowy without ever causing irritation.

I’ve also been loving the colour correctors from Isamaya Beauty. The formulas are beautiful, creamy, hydrating and lightweight, especially if you struggle with dry under-eyes and dark circles. The packaging/application can be a tiny bit messy, but the actual finish on the skin makes up for it. I would also advise going lighter than you think, I wear a light to medium and the medium was very dark. Definitely worth swatching if you’re in Space NK anytime soon.

You guys also know I’ve been obsessed with the Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum lately, for calming redness and irritation. I’ve now started using their Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil too and it’s gorgeous. It melts makeup off beautifully without leaving your skin tight or stripped afterwards, perfect if you have sensitive skin like me.

The new JoJo Beauty Mitts are SO good, I already loved the JoJo Glow beauty pads, but the new mitts, so good! The microfibres are irresistibly soft and they remove makeup very quickly. You can use them with just warm water, but I personally love using them to remove cleanser. I always pack them when I travel too.

What’s making me happiest lately? FOOD. Obviously!

I’ve already started cooking from “So Good Express” by Emily English and it’s SO good. Her recipes are full of protein, nutrition and flavour without feeling complicated. If you don’t already follow her, or have any of her other books, definitely check out her Instagram because she shares loads of brilliant recipes there too.

And lastly… the most important recommendation of this entire newsletter: Portuguese Tarts. (Pastel de Nata)

A few years ago, my other half and I discovered Patisserie Lisboa near Portobello Road Market and became completely obsessed with their pastel de nata. But recently, a Portuguese friend told me I HAD to try Santa Nata.

OMG.

They are unreal! Super creamy filling, perfectly flaky pastry… genuinely melt-in-your-mouth good. My perfect Sunday consists of me and my boyfriend on the motorbike, riding around London in the sunshine, stopping for coffee and a pastel de nata somewhere along the way. It really doesn’t get any better than that!

If you ever walk past a Santa Nata in London — GO IN. Trust me. You won’t regret it.

So, there we have it gang, those are the things that have been filling my cup lately. The things that have been bringing me joy alongside a busy workload. May this be your gentle reminder to fill your cup too, with books, programmes and food that bring a smile - no matter the size - to your face. Until next time!

Love, B xx