Monthly Favourites - May

This month there have been a few favourites that I'd like to share with you.

The first was this lovely handcream that I've finally got around to using by L'Occitane.  I got it free with a magazine and it has sat in my stash for a good while, but it was finally it's turn to shine and shine it did.  The smell is lovely.  It's called Subtle Violet.  I'm enjoying using it.  I doubt that I'll actually re-purchase it, as I have a couple more handcreams yet to use, but most of the ingredients are natural, so it is an option.

Talking of which, I've got a couple of organic/natural beauty favourites to share.  Although I've been struggling to find a moisturiser that suits, I have found a shampoo and conditioner that I like, which are very reasonably priced, namely these from Australian Organics, which can be purchased online and in store from Holland and Barrett.

I did quite a bit of research of reviews before opting for these and I'm glad to say it paid off and they make my hair feel lovely and clean and soft. I got the option for dry, coloured and chemically treated hair, as my hair has been bleached in the recent past and tends toward dry and a bit frizzy.  There are other options in the range though. I think they were £5.65 each for 370ml, which was a pretty good price and they have also gone down well with other family members which is a bonus.

The 13th May heralded the return to E4 of one of my favourite US TV series Nashville.  I was so excited that it's back, although there seems to be less and less emphasis on the music and more and more emphasis on drama in it these days.  We've also recently started watching The Bridge on Netflix, a Scandi police drama.  I think it was on the TV a while back, but we didn't watch it then.  It is by the same producers as made Borgen, the Killing, etc.  We were looking for a new series to watch together and found this one.  There's only two seasons to watch but we've enjoyed the first five episodes, and we're hoping for good things from this over the next month or so.

Another favourite this month has been a new swimsuit, that I purchased at the end of last month. I've been looking for a flatteringly cut swimsuit for a while, in readiness for summer holidays.  I quite like the black one I already have, but it's a little plunging and it's good to have a second one to mix things up a bit whilst on holiday.  This one is a navy, spotted halterneck swimsuit that I bought from swimwear365, who also sell it in red.

I felt compelled to purchase it because they were low on stock in my size in the navy and I didn't want to miss out.  I'm glad I did, as I like the fit and true to the many good reviews on the site, it is very flattering.  It wasn't that cheap at £42, (it's gone up in price to £45 since I bought it), but definitely worth it to feel confident on the beach or by the pool.

One last favourite this month has been the purchase of Liquid Soapflakes from Wilko.  Aimed at delicate woollens, babywear and breathable fabrics, it is a soap based wash liquid and doesn't really have a scent as such.  I've been using it for general machine washing and finding it to be quite adequate, but I have added some lavender essential oil to get a bit of a scent going.  It was pretty inexpensive and I'm assuming a bit more eco friendly, although it's not advertised as such on the labeling.  It seems to work OK on more heavily soiled loads, and I'm liking it thus far.  I may move to a branded eco washing liquid next purchase though, maybe one that I can possibly buy in bulk.

These are my main favourites this month.  I'll be back next month with more.  Is there anything you've been loving this month?