So, I've been watching Steven Universe recently, and I'm kind of obsessed. Steven Universe is a cartoon following the lovable adventures of Steven and the Crystal Gems, who are essentially space aliens protecting the earth. Steven, a half human, half gem spends his time navigating life as a kid, as well as saving the world, helping out with offical gem business and controlling his magical powers. Steven Universe is great, lovable and one of the best kids cartoons I've ever watched, I've come to adore it, so much so that I'm writing this blog post about it. Also, note how I skillfully incorporated a chunk of amethyst and a shooting star in the above photo, because Steven Universe is all about space gems. Nerd level intensifies.

Steven the 'Magical Boy' You've seen magical girls, now get ready for a magical boy! Steven is not the typical 'boy' character you'd usually find in cartoons. He's sensitive and naive but emotionally intelligent and kind. He possesses a lot of traits which are typically 'feminine' and which are often absent in the portrayal of male characters in cartoons. Steven's character is kick ass and magical in a new and different way, a way which disrupts gender conventions.

In fact the entire show scrambles and disregards plenty of gender conventions. Steven's father, the only other main male character on the show, is gentle, kind, and always has time for Steven. The Crystal Gems, are genderless but also very 'feminine' and use she/her pronouns. Steven lives with three gems, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, who are his mentors, teaching him how to use his gem power and have a close family bond. It's a break from the traditional cereal packet family and offers not just an alternative, but an alternative that is positive and shows how alternative family structures can work wonderfully. Steven Univere is also super inclusive, and one of the most open minded shows, normalising queer relationships, which is super important in a hetro-normative society! (especially through Garnet and Pearl, without spoiling anything!)

Well developed female characters
Pretty much all the main characters, with the exception of Steven and his Dad, are female or presented as female. This is super important for representation, especially for kids! Similarly, the characters are all different shapes, sizes and colours. All the characters have their own strengths and are amazing in their own ways, showing that no matter what you look like, you are awesome and can kick ass. The Gem's bodies are all different, but celebrated and accepted as great because they are what feels best for each gem. An important lesson we can all learn from.

Voice acting 
The voice acting is amazing and the cast features plenty of women of colour!! This show has my support 110% ALSO the music. Sometimes the characters burst into song and there are some really amazing songs. Stronger Than You was the first song that hit me in the heart, it's pretty damn amazing, just give it a listen. My other favourites include, Strong in the Real Way, Do It For Her, It's Over Isn't It?, Something Entirely New, and Tower of Mistakes. LISTEN and be amazed!

The story and overarching plot is clever and gets pretty intense! It reminds me a bit of a slice of life anime, showing the everyday life of Steven as a kid but also glimpses of Gem life and Gem adventures! It's upbeat and optimistic whilst dealing with serious topics. Steven never gives up and always sees the best in people (even when they're threatening to kill him.) It's so refreshing to see and watching an Steven Universe just makes me feel all warm and fluffy inside.

The Artwork is AMAZING 
Steven Universe is set in a little beach town with magical goings on, and the artwork is super pretty. There are a lot of pinks, purples and blues and all the settings are so magical and visually pleasing!!

Peridot. 
If none of the other reasons speak to you, give Steven Universe a watch just for Peridot. She's such a precious and hilarious character. She's a little gem from the gem homeland who gets stuck on earth, and has to adapt to life on earth. She's awkward, strange, and hilarious as she learns about humans and humanity. Also this gif:

1)

I adore this book because it’s literally a book about books, and more importantly about how books can bring people together. It’s heart-warming and definitely a great summer read! This quote, is a bookish metaphor for life and there’s nothing I love more. I think it speaks for itself really, about how each chapter of our life can be so different, but collectively they are the things that make us who we are.

2) 

Cath, the protagonist in Fangirl, was the first character I truly felt I could relate to. And this quote solidified my love for Fangirl, and Rainbow Rowell. It’s one of those unspoken things that I think a lot of ‘quiet’ people, and over thinkers will understand.

3)

This quote from Game of Thrones is one I’ve thought about a lot. I appreciate the idea tremendously; the idea of turning what is seen as a weakness into a strength. There are some things we can’t change about ourselves and the only way to deal, is to accept and embrace it.

4) 

George Orwell does a good job of depicting manipulative and deceptive leaders in Animal Farm, and this quote feels pretty apt at the moment. From an intersectional feminist standpoint, this seems to be an unspoken rule in politics and social issues. Whilst England has more equality than some other countries, it doesn’t mean everyone experiences that equality, especially when everyone is patting themselves on the back, under the delusion that systematic oppression and inequality don’t exist. Rant over, but seriously this quote makes me think about all the inequalities that are dusted under the carpet.

5)

I have to admit, this is from a book I haven’t actually read. But I stumbled upon it on goodreads and it’s a quote I think about a lot. Like a lot. It’s such a beautiful quote about letting go of ‘what could have been. It keeps me from overthinking and getting sad about all the lives I didn’t, and will never lead. Instead of dwelling, we salute to the paths we didn’t choose, and move forward.

6) 

BONUS:

That's all the quotes I'm sharing today! I have about ten million stashed away but I manged to whittle it down to these! I hope you enjoyed this post, I had so much fun picking out these quotes. Thanks for reading and have a great day! 

What are some of your favourite quotes!? I'd love to hear them! 

G O O D R E A D S // T W I T T E R // I N ST A G R A M // B L O G L O V I N'

My first love

This is the blush I fell in love with. Love at First Blush by Soap & Glory. It’s quite lightly pigmented but you can build it up. But my absolute favourite thing about this blush, is its highlighting qualities. It’s like blush that doubles up as a highlight and makes my cheeks look all glowy and radiant. It’s quite glittery, but I’m firmly in camp ‘wear glitter all day everyday’ to the extent that my everyday eyeliner is of the glittery metallic kind, needless to say, I adore the glitter. There’s just something about a super pink, glittery, and glowing cheek that makes me want to check myself out in every reflective surface available. It makes me feel all girly and lovely inside. 

An old friend

After realising my mistake in so hastily casting blush aside, I dug out the only other blush I owned - that pretty little polka dotted one, which shares it's case with a bronzer. I’m aware that using old makeup is very questionable (very bad and never encouraged) but the pigmentation on this thing is amazing. What this blush can do in one stroke, it takes the soap and glory blush five strokes to achieve. I love it so much and pretty much use it every day. And to think that I once cast it aside...

I also purchased a blush from The Body Shop, hoping the pigmentation could rival my much adored polka dot blush, but sadly that was not the case (still a nice blush though, just have to build the colour up!) If you have any recommendations for any strongly pigmented blushes, I implore you to leave a comment! Thus, my journey into the world of blush continues.

I've had a lot of fun writing this post, especially as it’s a topic I’ve never really delved into before. I feel like I’ve gained a little insight into the charm of beauty blogging! Who knows. maybe I’ll write about my infatuation with winged eyeliner next!?