Ahhh. Spring... the time of year where one starts panicking because Summer is only 3 months away and you just ate an entire packet of biscuits...

Spring is a time of year we tend to imagine as the bringer of new life - lambs and ducklings, daffodils and cherry blossoms...

In reality in Wellington it's a cold snap strong enough to dump snow on the Tararua Ranges, causing us to bring out our woolly winter clothes again. Not so romantic. So - you may be wondering why I've been so late in writing up my monthly favourites this month. After all, we are well into September right!?

I've gotta be honest with you, my Residents of Welly. I've been hibernating.

After a huge month in August, the thought of putting together a list of my monthly favourites left me feeling a bit like this ...

Yes - after all the fun of the New Zealand Film Festival and Wellington on a Plate, I was knackered. Those of you who follow me on Snapchat will have been able to see it was off to a different film or eating a meal nearly every second night. With no time to exercise and still more projects in the pipeline, it was seriously fun but a little bit go-go-go. In fact, I could barely remember August it was such a whirl, let alone work out what I liked and didn't like.

Some time has now passed and I finally feel ready to do my monthly favourites again. I wanted to keep things fresh so I've gone for three things you won't have heard about on the blog already. So, without further ado, here are my picks on August.

1. Shut up and Dance - Classes in Wellington and Auckland

Are the kind of person who was traumatised by learning dance routines at school? Do your memories of dance revolve around trying to work out which way to grapevine? Do you dance in private like Beyonce but refuse to go to any formal dance class for fear of being mocked? Me too.

Incredibly, my PTSD from school Musicals has been cured (I'll never forget crying hysterically after being told I didn't get a part in the musical Gypsy Rose because I couldn't get my footwork sorted). And it's thanks to the amazing girls from a new, fun dance group - Shut Up and Dance.

Three friends came together and wanted to create a dance class that made you feel like Aaron Carter from the Backstreet Boys.

Together, Abby, Clair, and Lesa dreamt up 'Shut Up and Dance', where you can dance away the stress of the day, learning fun routines to 70's, 80's, 90's, and 2000's tunes. The results are in and this dance class is like no other. It is seriously fun and I'm addicted.

This is an experience that will get you powered up and pumping, burning calories and not even realising you're doing exercise - it's that fun.

You can check out http://www.shutupanddance.co.nz for openings and classes in your area.

2. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge

At the start of this month, my trusty old powder blush gave up the ghost. So I set out in hunt of a good high street blush. Dear Resident readers, I couldn't find one I liked anywhere - everything was a bit weak and quite pricey (ie I couldn't see it on my face when I put it on) for what I felt I was getting. So I decided I might as well get something half decent - after all, I would have probably been suckered in by a 'buy one get the other half price' offer and just end up buying more things I didn't need - spending the same as a more expensive one anyway! Anyone else?

I remembered with good fortune that a Resident of Welly interviewee Natalee Fisher, Makeup Artist, recommended the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge from Bobbie Brown Cosmetics months and months ago. I decided to head down to David Jones Wellington to try one for myself. I really like Bobbi Brown's philosophy, but actually haven't got much of their products. Now was clearly the time to open my wallet.

The Bobbi Brown team suggested I try shade 02, Raspberry. This blush has more colour than you can shake a stick at. I've used my top for contrast. It looks amazing with my favourite MAC Ruby Woo lipstick, pictured. I like mixing pink and red (the top is a twentysevennames one) - it gives an "Oh I just threw this on" yet fashion forward jolt up to your look.

The Pot Rouge Range are quite creamy, but not at all greasy in texture. I simply dab my finger in the pot and pat onto the apples of my cheeks. It gives you that lovely 'just been a bit cheeky' look. You need to actively control how much you're applying because it can go on and look too much quite fast. However, it is perfect for the somewhat wild Spring weather, just to pop your Winter pale skin and act like you own it until that Summer sunkissed glow arrives.

Pot Rouge cost me $54 at David Jones Wellington. Open 9am - 6pm, The Old Kirks Building, Lambton Quay.

3. Whittaker's Chocolate Limited Edition K-Bar Chocolate Range

In August, Wellington went K Bar Chocolate mad. In case you've been living in a Hobbit Hole, much-loved Wellington family owned chocolatiers Whittaker's released a new range of chocolate playing on the classic fruit flavoured toffee that they themselves made. These are limited edition so you'd better hoard these babies for Summertime.

The Whittaker's folk even went so far as to open a pop-up sweet shop at the top of Cuba Street. What a fun way to celebrate the launch of some purely delicious chocolate!

My favourite was the Raspberry which was well paired with dark ghana choc. It was gooey and perfectly balanced. Sweet and a little bitter. Mmmm.

I think the least strong was the pineapple block - and I seriously love pineapple. It was just all a bit confusing. I would have preferred they paired it with a white chocolate.

The lime flavour was pretty gorgeous as well but even more so when put in the freezer overnight - def my top tip!

You can buy K Bar Chocolate anywhere Whittaker's Chocolate is sold currently.