Best Bits of 2017

Oh hey there 2018, when did you get here? It seems like I blinked and 2017 had come and gone. I guess what they say is true: times flies when you're having fun. And 2017 was a mental, exciting, complicated, stressful, thrilling, wild ride. So much happened in those 364 days and I loved so much of it. So without further ado, lets have a chit-chat about all the bits and bobs that really stood out for me in 2017 in the world of beauty, fashion, music, film and tv, and my top moment of the year to round things off. Let's get started.

beauty. 

I've experimented and fallen more in love with beauty and makeup in 2017 than I ever had before. Yes, admittedly I'm still not great at it, and yes, I have a pretty basic makeup look, especially for everyday wear, but I genuinely look forward to covering my face in the stuff every morning and trying out different products. I spent far too much money on beauty products this year, and I couldn't narrow it down to one favourite, so we have a drugstore and slightly higher end pick. From Boots, we have the NYX Warm Neutrals Eye Shadow Palette. Absolute shocker. I picked this palette up late summer time, and for 90% of the times I've wanted a bit more of an extravagant eye look, this is what I have turned to. The colour selection is b-e-a-u-tiful, and you can create a whole range of diverse, gorgeous looks. The shadows themselves are fantastic quality, and for just £16, you can't really go wrong. And I couldn't not talk about MAC Velvet Teddy. I bought this very early 2017, and have worn it pretty much everyday since. It's the perfect nude shade for me, based in brown but blended with a dusty rose-pink. It's a matte lipstick, but MAC's matte formula is on point - they are buttery and creamy and so so lovely to put on, and do. not. budge. So if you're looking to splash your Christmas cash on any new beauty products, these two should be very strong contenders. 

fashion. 

So while I did splurge a lot on makeup in 2017, much like every other year, most of my money was given to the fashion industry. What can I say? I love clothes. Although I bought a lot this year, I have one stand-out piece that I can't see myself living without for a very long time. My Topshop Denim Jacket. I wear this jacket every season, with every kind of outfit. It's just the perfect thing to throw on and casualises anything. My go-to everyday outfit is a simple tee or jumper, black jeans, white converse and this jacket. Kind of on the pricier side of the high street, but 100% worth it.

music. 

2017 was an incredible year for music. I've discovered a fair few amazing artists, seen some fabulous live acts, and loads of my favourite bands released brilliant new material. Lorde's second album, Melodrama, was a definite highlight, as was Harry Styles' self-titled debut (never thought I'd be saying that), but I think my top album of the year goes to Broken Machine by Nothing But Thieves*.  From the moment I heard Amsterdam I knew this album was going to be something incredibly special. It's full of experimental rock brilliance, from dipping into rap in Live Like Animals, to the slow and beautiful Soda. Every song on that track list is so great and so different; I would highly recommend. And they're even better performed live: Conor Mason's vocals are arguably the strongest male vocals on the rock/alt-rock scene at the moment. I had shivers down my spine, and that gig is one I'll remember for such a long time. 

film/tv. 

Once again, thanks to good old Netflix, a lot of my downtime this year has been spent in front of my laptop or TV screen binging numerous series. 2017 bought me Brooklyn 99, Peep Show, Mock the Week and American Crime Story, for which I am forever grateful, and one of my all-time favourite guilty-pleasure shows, Pretty Little Liars, ended with a bang. Without a doubt though, my top show continues to be How to Get Away With Murder. I'm pretty sure I watched season 2 this year, and season 3 was uploaded to Netflix just a couple of days ago and I'm just so in love with it. It's suspenseful, clever, funny at times...just the perfect show. In terms of film we switch to a completely different gear, and with no surprises at all my favourite movie of the year was the Beauty and the Beast re-make. I must've seen it about five or six times now, can quote much of it and know the lyrics to all the songs, yet it still manages to make me cry every time. Words cannot describe how much I love that film, it's just such a feel-good, wonderfully crafted work of art. 

the best moment of 2017. 

2017 was filled with so many moments I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life. Where do I begin? Finishing my A-Levels, turning 18, discovering Purple Rain pitchers at Spoons, going to Rome with my bestest friends, travelling to America with my fam, buying my very own Chip mug, moving to Southampton and starting my first year at uni. Despite some massive life-changing things happening this past year, 2017 will always be summed up in one moment: watching the Happily Ever After fireworks display at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. It was one of the most breath-taking things I've ever seen, and as a massive Disney fan, it was pretty darn emotional. I know that my trip to the Disney and Universal Parks will be something I'll remember forever, and the fireworks encapsulate such an amazing trip to the States. 

So let's be 'avin you 2018. I'm super excited to see what you have in store. Have a happy and healthy new year, you lovely lot!

From, 

Eleanor

*I do feel like I should mention I'm aware that a number of misconduct allegations have come up against Nothing But Thieves. These claims were the reason I decided not to a live review back in November when I saw them. Obviously I in no way condone what they may have done, but since I haven't seen any concrete evidence, nor have they been convicted of anything, I feel comfortable saying their album is my favourite of the year. Besides, this is about their music, not the lives of the people in the band.