Holiday Gifts

For my post-Christmas post I thought I would keep things fairly casual as I’m honestly in a true lazy, holiday faze. Although my holidays began over a moth ago, I feel that now is the acceptable time to sit on the couch, play video games and finish off an entire packet of Lindt chocolate (I am guilty of all the above). I thought up of doing a type of ‘What I got for Christmas’ blogpost as I recalled some YouTubers last year filming them. I have to disclaim that I am in no way trying to brag about my presents, I am very grateful indeed to have received them. I thought it might be interesting to see what gifts I was given, and perhaps inspire a wish list of things to buy for yourselves in the new year. On with the gifts; it feels like Christmas morning all over again...

As the school year has officially finished, I now finally have the time to read again. And not books off the booklist, ones of my own choice! I have been wanting to watch One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as I thought it would be interesting, given the psychological themes. It was a pleasant surprise when I opened this from my sister; a book I can’t wait to get into. The Penguin classic cover isn’t too bad either. Cat’s Eye is a book that was only recently added to my ‘to read’ list, so I happened to receive this by complete mental telepathy. One that was actually on the VCAA English booklist this year; I guess it must a worthwhile read. Eucalyptus is a book that I have never seen before, but I have always wanted to read a novel that I have no prior knowledge of. One that I have heard of, however, is Rookie Yearbook Three. Though I don’t own the first two I know this will be coffee table book of sartorial gorgeousness. 

From the top to bottom: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood, Eucalyptus by Murray Bail, Rookie Yearbook Three by Tavi Gevinson

These beautiful notebooks not only fill the insatiable stationary hunger that is present in all of us, but serve a practical purpose. It seems that I have completely bored those around me in my pursuits of a journalism career, but thankfully they have been thoughtful enough to buy me journals. Blogposts will most definitely be planned out and drafted in one, and perhaps my future freelance work in the other. Their positive covers will, no doubt, inspire great work (one hopes!). 

Left to Right: Kikki-k, unknown

These two beauty related gifts both come from TheBodyShop, but were gifted to me by my sister. I requested these when we were in store one day; I couldn’t contain my excitement when I discovered they included a vanilla scent in their Christmas collection. It’s so sweet yet deep, and almost spicy. Absolutely delicious. There’s nothing wrong with smelling like cake, is there? The eau de toilette is completely perfect, though I find the shimmer lotion a little too shimmery. Maybe one to save for a night out, and use sparingly! 

Left to Right: Vanilla Brûlée Eau De Toilette, Vanilla Brûlé Shimmer Lotion

This seems like a random purchase, but one thoughtfully gifted! I had mentioned to my mum that I had wanted a glass nail file (much to her bemusement) as I had seen many YouTubers with them. I’m fairly certain that Australia does not stock any glass nail files, but I do think this is the next best thing. This is a step above the usual nail buffers I use; the cheap ones with the sandpaper-like file glued onto cardboard. My nails will thank me for the upgrade! 

Sally Hansen Ahead Of The Curve Sapphire Nail File

This handbag was a stunning gift from my bestfriend, one that was really too much! I mean, it’s absolutely gorgeous! I love the white and black detail, where the white is perfect for summer and the black trim makes it Instagram worthy with its monochromatic style. I love the quilting and even more, the embossed damask print. The gold hardware really completes the bag and adds a touch of glamour. The round shape is unique, and one that has a retro feel. I have a vision of holding this while drinking a glass of champagne with the ladies, having just finished a tennis match. Not that I really drink nor do I play tennis, but it’s all about the feeling an accessory or item of clothing gives you. 

Forever New Annie-Rose Quilted Bag

The last gift is truly the best one. Before anything, I have to apologise for the lighting in this photo. It appears my camera did not respond well to the light from the screen. I got a 13 inch Macbook Pro! This was a very unexpected gift as I had originally planned to buy myself a new laptop, but it’s one that I am so grateful for. It was intended as a gift to congratulate my graduation from high school, and I could not be happier with it. I have been a Mac fan ever since I was a little girl, as we have always had Apple products in the house. Though I loved my Macbook air as it was so light and I adored the flat keyboard, I needed something a little bigger with all the functions for my time at university next year. Just typing out the word ‘university’ is a little confronting; do I have to become an adult yet? Anyway, what I love about my new laptop is it’s size; 13 inches is definitely the fit for me. Eleven is a little too small and I can imagine the back issues I would acquire by carrying around the 15 inch. The screen makes anything look absolutely amazing, even Youtube videos look more professional. I have only had it for a few days but it appears the battery lasts fairly well, and I like that I has a slot for my SD card. Overall, I’m one very happy, extremely lucky girl!

Christmas makeup

This is actually a look that I wore to my work Christmas party. Today I bring you a non-obnoxious, not overly festive Christmas face. If you haven’t decided three weeks in advance the makeup you’re wearing on the birth day of Jesus, grab a pen and paper and be ready to take note. Something else to note; no glitter was used and there is no red lip in sight. 

Let’s be completely honest, it takes an effort to compile a semi-appropriate Christmas ensemble. On a day I would love to spend in my pyjamas (Peter Alexander of course!) drinking eggnog and admiring my presents, putting on makeup comes around 10-20 minutes before I have to physically leave the house. This is a very easy look to recreate, one I did by topping up my day makeup. 

If you’re starting from scratch, the first thing is the base. Using a primer like Benefit’s the Porefessional will ensure your makeup lasts the entire day. L’oreal’s Eau de teint foundation gives a very natural, light coverage that is perfect for a summer Christmas in Australia. If you need concealer for blemishes, go right ahead, but chances are you won’t need any for the under-eye area, the excitement of opening presents would have masked any signs of fatigue. Maintaining the warm weather appropriate look, sweep NARS’ Laguna bronzer across the hairline, cheekbones, temples and jawline. Add a little of Rimmel’s Stay Matte powder to the T-zone to reduce shine. In a nod to Christmas, apply TheBalm’s Mary-Lou Manizer across the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose and the inner corner of the eye. Now onto the eyes: pack on Maybelline’s Colour Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze with the ring finger to create a complete eye look with one product. Curl the lashes and apply your favourite mascara. Fill in the brows in any which way you are comfortable with. To avoid doing the typical Christmas red lip, I suggest going for a shade of pink instead. This one is MAC’s Faux Pas lipstick, a part of their holiday collection, who’s glittering packaging makes reapplying lipstick on Christmas day a pleasure rather than a chore. 

Christmas makeup done. Now to buy presents... 

The Kimono

In the same weekend that I had a shopping spree, seen in this Instagram post, it was a given that I also had purchases from H&M. Personally, H&M is like the upper class cousin of Kmart, where I can buy items at full retail price, not have to wait for sales and not be embarrassed to shop there (though let me be honest, I’m not ashamed in the slightest to shop at Kmart!). I spotted this kimono on the rack and immediately tried it on (I normally just try things on then and there rather than waiting in line for the change rooms, if the item requires little effort or removal of clothes). I had been searching for a kimono that was longer in length, and priced at $29.95 it was a great find. Its shape also did not look strange on my shoulders, which sometimes can happen with pieces like kimonos, and its length did not highlight my shorter height. 

That day, though mid spring, had a heat very much like summer temperatures which meant that air conditioning was in full force in the shops. I decided to wear my kimono on its day of purchase, a sign that it truly was a good buy, protecting me from the slight chill of the air conditioning. As a cool change swept (quite literally, it was extremely windy) through Melbourne, my kimono served another purpose. Wrapping the kimono across my chest I protected the wind from hitting me, and in the car it served as an almost dressing gown as I wrapped the long, soft fabric around myself as I waited for my mother to return from the supermarket. On returning home and placing the kimono on a hanger, I had a revelation. A quick search on the laptop and I discovered that this kimono was the one I had been coveting for months from Lily Pebbles’ blog post here. She had uploaded that post in May, and I now bought this in November. I could not believe the time that it took clothing to come into stores in Australia. It does make clear sense that a kimono would not be appropriate attire for May in Australia as the temperature drops, but it was crazy that it was six months ago that I had first spotted this online. H&M had just opened in Melbourne; it feels like it was years ago. This year has been drawn out, though it has passed so quickly, at least fashion can act as a reminder of the year that has been. 

(Similar kimono from H&M here)

Lush haul

I must admit that I rarely have baths. Showers are my preferred method of cleansing, where I could literally spend an hour in the shower. But what do I do in there besides wash myself? Well, I think about the day, what I will do tomorrow and next week and then, after a while where perhaps the scent of my shampoo has metaphorically gone to my head, I will generally just have an overall contemplation of my life. But for some reason, baths just bore me. A few weeks ago during stressful end of assessment time I decided to have a bath to calm my ever buzzing mind. I even lighted a candle and used a Lush bath bomb. Perhaps it’s the running water in a shower that calms me in an ironic way, but the still water of a bath and the gradual decrease in water temperature does not excite me. Nevertheless, when Christmas time rolls around (not really Christmas time as stores like to start early) my sister and I like to take a trip into Lush. There is something so festive about Lush during this time, where favourites like cinnamon and glitter are mixed to create a handful of pure joy.  Last year I made the mistake of going into Lush either just before Christmas or a little after, where half of the Christmas products had sold out. Much to my disappointment of the Star Light Star Bright Bath Melt having been completely sold out, this year I was determined to get in early. Late October we took a trip into Lush, had free rein over the Christmas stock and spent a little too much money (or so my mother thinks). Today I will share with you my purchases and give you a quick description of my first impressions of the scents. If you want a more detailed and precise description of each product I will link each one to the Lush website. On with the haul…

Wizard Bubble Bar

This is actually for Halloween, but I decided to include it anyway. I have to comment that this bubble bar is encrusted in purple glitter; utter decadence! The scent is very deep and musky, one that I would not normally be drawn to, but whose sweetness adds a warming element. 

Star Light Star Bright Bath Melt

I will not begin a long winded rant but I was very disappointed last year when this sold out. Hence, this year I bought two, as I am an absolute glitter fiend. This scent, as described by my sister, apparently smells like uncooked noodles. For a more reliable description I would say that the scent is very summery, different from the warm, comforting winter scents, with a citrusy, zesty blend of ginger. 

Yog Nog Soap

As the name suggests this soap has a scent reminiscent of egg nog; a very warm, sweet, spicy mix of cinnamon and nutmeg. One of the most classic Christmas scents that is almost quite expensive smelling, as it’s not overly sweet. I do have to comment that the soaps are quite expensive for the amount your receive, so something to consider when buying, as I did not realise the price until I got home!

Cinders Bath Bomb

My sister’s personal favourite, this bath bomb is a simple, warm, cinnamon-like scent perfect for Christmas time baths.

Golden Wonder Bath Bomb

This absolutely gorgeous present shaped, gold glitter dipped bath bomb is my favourite. It does have a scent that is very hard to describe; I remember from last year that is has champagne in it, so quite a crisp fragrance. It has an expensive scent that is slightly citrusy. 

Butterbear Bath Bomb

A very cute one in the shape of a bear, this has a creamy scent (if that exists), with notes of vanilla and spice. Also, the fragrance is not too overpowering, and can perhaps be used in conjugation with another Lush product. Unfortunately I dropped him, hence his broken ear!

Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb

One that I remember using last year, this has a scent very similar to the Golden Wonder Bath Bomb, but is a little more strong and floral. 

The Christmas Penguin Bubble Bar

Apparently this has the same fragrance to the Olive branch line at Lush, so it has a very natural, unisex, pure smelling odour. One for those who shy away from the extremely sweet scents. This one is actually from last year, which explains his deformed face. 

Magic Wand Bubble Bar

This is a reusable wand that you swirl in the bath, which hopefully creates beautiful, pink bubbles! I’m not completely in love with the scent; it’s a little artificial and strong for my personal taste. 

So White Bath Bomb

This was quite an unexpected scent for me, one that took me a little while to acurately decipher. It has an apple fragrance, one that is light, fresh and a little floral. One just perfect for summertime in Australia. 

Snowcake Soap

This soap is quite different from the Yog Nog, it has a very creamy fragrance. It is almost quite artificial smelling, and one that I find difficult to describe.

So that concludes my Lush haul. The Holly Go Lightly Bubble Bar has been on my mind though. Perhaps this calls for another Lush trip...

Online Shopping Revisited

My second ever post was one in which I rambled about online shopping. Today I thought I would revisit the realms of online shopping, providing some hints on how to tackle the possibly dangerous world of virtual retail. Now, I will not address any actual threat to your life (though keeping personal details online safe is very important), rather I will protect the balance of your bank account, and your guilty conscious from “treating” yourself. Pen and paper at the ready (or Word document open), here are my tips that I have learnt by engaging in a little too much online shopping:

1. Where possible, look at the pictures online of the garment in other colours. Often the piece that you want may be in black, which can be hard to see the detail in on a screen. If you look at the same item in blue, however, you are able to see the detail in the fabric and the design. It is amazing how many times I have thought a black dress had a solid design, but when looking at another colour there are all kinds of seams and textures that were not visible in black. This tip is perhaps mostly applicable to websites such as Missguided and even Asos’ own brand, where one style of clothing is repeated in various colours. 

2. Always look at any customer reviews. Often similar comments are repeated, which can truly tell you the overall appraisal of an item of clothing. For example, if various customers commented that something took three weeks to ship, it is a warning that shipping may be long. On some websites, however, customers can earn reward points for commenting on an item, so try and avoid any comments that appear as if the person has never actually purchased the piece of clothing. You can usually also find a rating scale which customers can rate the fabric quality, the fit, the colour and many other important characteristics. 

3. Sign up to the mailing list for online shopping websites. There is no reason to pay full price as there are always codes for 20% off, an extra 10% off sale and so on. Many people complain about the amount of websites they have signed up to (I know firsthand as I work in retail myself!), but I once read a tip somewhere to create a mail account dedicated only to emails from websites. For example, you can have your personal account or work email, and then an email account that you use when signing up to mailing lists. Checking in a couple times a week will ensure you never miss out on the closing date of a coupon code.

4. Don’t buy an item based solely on the colour. I know how hard this is to do when the colour on screen just looks so beautiful, but more often than not the colour does not translate in reality. I have been disappointed more than once lusting over the colour of a certain top or skirt, only for it to arrive and look much different to what it did on screen. Instead, focusing on the tailoring and the expected fit of an item will ensure you will actually wear it, rather than merely liking the way it looks in your wardrobe.

5. Don’t obsess and impatiently wait for the mail to arrive. If you attempt to consciously forget about the pending mail, you will be pleasantly surprised when it arrives. Sometimes I even stop myself from looking at the postage information slip, just to enjoy opening the package, not knowing what is inside. Think of it as a mind game with yourself!

6. Try and avoid returning items as much as possible. I have actually never returned an item (except for one that was faulty and therefore had free shipping). Return fees are usually quite high, and override the savings you made to buy it initially. I was at the post office recently and a lady wanted to return an item to Germany, and the postal worker asked her if it was really worth it. I had to smile slyly to myself as I don’t see the point in returning items, especially overseas. Conversely, if the item you purchased was very expensive and the only option left is to return it, then sure. Otherwise, see if your mother or grandmother can sew it in for you, or get a quote from a tailor. Sisters and friends will be more than willing to accept a failed online shopping purchase if they appreciate your taste in fashion!

7. Look at the size the model is wearing. On most websites the size of the item the model is wearing is listed in the description box, and sometimes even their measurements. It’s probably quite frowned upon to compare yourself to the model but I advise you to! If you judge that you may be about the same size, a little bit bigger in the bust or smaller in the hips then this can assist you in choosing a size. Even just looking at all the pictures available can tell you if a dress may be too short, or if you might have to go a size up in a top for extra length. 

8. Check the online sizing chart, which is a feature of majority of websites. Get someone to measure you around the bust, waist and hips and make sure to write it down somewhere. The amount of times I have had to get my mother to measure me is ridiculous, because I fail to take my own advice and just write it down! After a while you will know what size you are at a particular online store, if you shop there often enough (an alarming reminder you are engaging in too much online shopping!).

So there are my eight tips to online shopping. There is no doubt that future purchases will teach me even more lessons. There it is, the justification to shopping online; it’s an outlet to learn. I guess it’s the deluded fashion world I live in. Comment your online shopping tips below, they would be much appreciated!

MAC's No Faux Pas

On the ordinary perusal of Anna’s blog, I came across the post titled ‘If You Get One Thing from MAC’s Christmas Collection…’ Immediately entranced by the word ‘MAC’ and the glittering packaging, just like a magpie to a piece of tin foil, my cursor clicked onto the post. What followed was an instantaneous Google search of MAC’s Heirloom Mix holiday collection, complete with swatches on Temptalia. What engrossed me, I am slightly hesitant to admit, was the packaging. As I have written on the blog before I am a massive fan of MAC lipsticks, but they have taken the packaging to a whole new level of coveting with the silver glitter, and even the click of the lid seems better made than the original. What I shamelessly did was chose a colour of lipstick that I liked amongst those housed in the limited edition packaging. Definitely not the right way to choose a product, but I was lucky enough to find the collection still available in store, where I could swatch the lipsticks in person. I was even luckier that they had a hot pink shade, one that I would actually wear and was different to their Relentlessly Red lipstick, with more of a blue undertone that appeared slightly purple on my heavily pigmented lips. I tried on the shade, told the assistant I wanted to see what it looked like in daylight and continued shopping, knowing all the time that its purchase was inevitable. And so my Myer gift card was spent and I came home with a beautiful lipstick. A very early Christmas gift to myself. Regrets? Never. I won’t be committing a faux pas with this lipstick on. 

Hats Off

(**Warning, I repeat the word ‘hat’ a few too many times in this post)

A hat? Is that what that item is balanced atop my head? You’d be right if you guessed it was a hat. I don’t think I have worn a hat on the blog since I started this year. I am not the biggest hat person (that created a mental image of me as a giant, scooping up an enormous pile of hats; I need sleep). I’ve always loved the power of a hat, transforming an outfit from ordinary to blogger-worthy. However, I’ve never quite understood the saying “bad hair day” hat. If I’m having a bad hair day the last thing I want to do is put a hat on to attract attention to my head, highlighting my oily locks, or even think of putting my hair into the hat to make it look as if I have no hair at all. Okay, so now that I have completely ruined the image of a hat for you let me explain my recent purchase. As I was browsing Sportsgirl a few weeks ago I spotted this pink hat. Not only was it pink (can I just say OMG), it was very reasonably priced as it was on sale. Wanting to experiment a little I decided to buy it. Now, buying a felt hat as we approach summer may not have been the greatest sartorial decision ever made, but it was one of impulsivity. This hat was purchased at just the right time, which now explains my aptly titled post, as I have just recently graduated from high school. ‘Hats off’ is my little ode to graduating, where we never actually had the chance to throw any hat into the air. Though my exams are not yet over and the celebrations have not begun, I shall live my life through fashion and remember the defining moments in my life through pieces. So hats off to everyone who completed high school this year, a great achievement that must not be forgotten amongst exams and ATAR scores. 

Bare Necessities

This post was inspired by one of my favourite Disney songs; Bear Necessities from The Jungle Book. If I had put the word ‘bear’ in the title, however, it may have conjured up rather questionable images of body hair and who knows what else. Today I bring you three bathroom essentials that will make you skip makeup in the morning, being comfortable to bare your naked skin. Okay, that may have been wishful thinking, but I guarantee you will want to stroke your face for the entire day. These products tackle hydration, blemishes and blackheads; cue a good skin day. 

THEFACESHOP Hyaluronic acid sheet mask

The ‘acid’ in the title seems a little scary, but it’s nothing like you think. Hyaluronic acid is an enzyme (students of chemistry could correct me here) that provides extreme hydration to the skin. It’s in the form of a sheet mask, one of those that covers the entire face leaving space for the eyes in a horror film like way, definitely worthy of Snapchat (I’ve saved you the heart attack inducing photo of me with it on). Put this mask on and leave it for about 15 to 20 minutes and let that acid work its hydration magic. This is an Asian product but thankfully there are instruction in English on the back. Upon removing the mask, your face will look and feel more plump and dry patches will have disappeared. Let the residue sink into the skin, and when you wake up in the morning you won’t find any flaky skin disturbing your good skin day. These masks are usually on offer and you can pick three up for ten dollars. One to add to the shopping list. 

St.Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub

This is a scrub that is famous around the blogger sphere, and for good reason. Though some people like to use chemical exfoliants on their skin as they are a little more gentle, there is nothing better than manually exfoliating away those disgusting blackheads around your nose. Nice. I like to use this once a week, usually on a Sunday when I wash my hair as it’s easy to remember, even though the tube says to use it 3-4 times a week. This scrub is quite gritty and it definitely rids the skin of any unevenness, but using it more than once a week would anger my skin. It also contains salicylic acid, another acid but this one is good for acne, which means that it is a two for one. Directions are to wet your face, get a good ‘blob’ (really accurate measurements) and massage into the skin. After you use this your skin will honestly feel like your legs do when you shave them, which sounds so strange, but is the only thing I can liken it to. It also has a lovely apricot scent which makes it a pleasure to use. Actually, I think I’ve just sold it to myself again. A scrub might have just been added to my Sunday night plans. 

(Just a little close up of the exfoliating beads for you)

Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask

When I spotted this on the shelves a couple of weeks ago in Priceline I let out a little sigh of excitement. This previously UK only brand I had heard beauty bloggers yap on about for a while, choosing to tune out a little as I couldn’t purchase it here in Australia. Not only was it on the shelf, it had been discounted. It was an immediate purchase and I couldn’t wait to use it. Unlike the previous two treatments this mask aims to purify the skin and rid it of bacteria, blemishes, blackheads, and anything else starting with B. When I used this mask for the first time I recognised the texture, but I couldn’t decide what it reminded me of. Finally I remembered that this mask has a very similar texture to my almond spread! It’s quite a thick mask that can be a little hard to even onto the skin, but applied over damp skin and layered lightly it works very well. It does say that this mask will heat up in the five minutes it’s left on for, but I found it to warm up only when I applied it to my fingers. I would say that this is quite gentle mud mask, nothing that will draw blemishes to the surface or completely purge your skin. Use this as a lovely end of week treatment, so at least your skin will look good come Monday morning. 

Late Night Thrift Shopping

A few months back my sister, mother and I made a trip to the op-shop at about seven o’clock. Wild times on a Saturday night. It was definitely a strange experience, one worth blogging about. As we walked in, a slightly musky odour filled the air, a mix of dust, powder and age. An almost hazy atmosphere characterised the warehouse like store, the artificial lights inside competing with the darkened sky. We had to visit Savers for my sister to pick up some porcelain products; part of an art project, don’t ask. As we scoured the shelves, glass serving ware was placed next to melamine mugs, Gatbsy-esque glasses sat next to chipped teapots, superfluous vases were positioned with cartoon decorated plates. With the closing time of the store approaching, customers rushed about, hands full with potential purchases, taking a final look at the shelves. As we made our way to the checkout, customers seemed to follow in toe. Taking myself out of the line, I stood behind the registers, my back to the street, a full view of the store in my line of sight. As the line began to extend from one end to the next, all kinds of characters emerged from the lines of racks. Hipsters with their awkward length sports socks, shorts and backpacks scoring a “cool” vintage find, middle aged women looking for a new outfit, elderly people with their shopping baskets, parents trying to herd their children. As the wait in line stretched out, one lady occupied her time by talking to the man next to her, explaining a trip she went on overseas which was actually his native country. To the side of the line a mother went through a bowl of buttons with her daughter. Some in the line had one item, others had baskets full. As there was one checkout woman working, the store had to run overtime, catering for the late night shoppers. An older lady at the register was buying $230 worth of shoes and clothes, stacking the shoes into a bag she had brought with her. The buttons of the register harmonised with the flicking of receipts by another worker opposite. When my sister’s purchases had been paid for and wrapped in newspaper, we made our way to the door. As we left the store, through the window I noticed a woman searching the shelves for a new book. As the bright lights of the store signs glared bright in the fading distance, a much needed sanitiser session was called for. 

Dreamy products

Today I bring you some beautiful products that may not be on your ultimate ‘if I was a millionaire’ wish list, but don’t have the nightmarish price tags that most luxury items do. Think of it as dreaming within reason. Sure, dreaming with limits can sound quite dull and restrictive, but thankfully some lower end beauty brands do cater for budget conscious folk. Cue, from left to right, swoon inducing beauty...

Benefit They’re Real mascara

I confess, this tube did dry up a while ago, but having finished it and moved on to a new mascara I now realise just how amazing it is. I go into a little more detail about this in a coming empties post, but let’s just say that this mascara has holy-grail status. It may be because of it’s speculated waterproof formula, but my lashes hold their curl with this, are lengthened, volumised, separated, and look damn good. Ok, so it’s not ten dollars, nor twenty, actually nor thirty but it’s definitely not as pricey as a YSL or Dior offering. Maybe one to put on the Christmas wish list. I know, Christmas talk already, blame all the bloggers and YouTubers for their premature festive spirit.

ecoTools Powder Brush

Before I bought this brush I was using a kabuki brush that I received as a gift with purchase. Though it does remain in my makeup bag as it’s the perfect size, I like to use something a little less scratchy at home. When I’m powdering my face for a night out I prefer to use something big and fluffy, distributing the powder evenly and avoiding the “cake face” look. Actual cake on my face, yes, but caked on makeup? I’ll pass. What’s different about this brush is that it’s almost flat on either side (this may have been a result of its packaging), but surprisingly it works effectively. Rather than spreading the base makeup, it glides over the top, preventing shine and not disturbing all the hard work you did blending. You can find this at Priceline so its very affordable, but wait for a sale and you’ve made me proud.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Inked in Pink 

This is a gorgeous line; creamy, cheap and cheerful. My alliteration is on point. Blame my upcoming English exam. The colour tattoos are beautiful cream eyeshadows housed in little pots, that deliver high pigment and leave an interesting eye look in one swipe. This particular shade is one that is quite unusual as it’s not a typical neutral shade. Wear it in the inner corner of the eye to add some appeal, paired with lots of mascara. You can also wear it all over the lid, a little brown shadow blended into the crease with lashings of mascara. Don’t be scared that it’s pink. On the eye it looks like there’s a little colour, but nothing worthy of a child’s makeup bag. Have a swatch next time your shopping, its well worth the under ten dollar price tag.

TheBodyShop Madagascan Vanilla Flower Eau de Toilette

I received this as a gift from my mum and sister last Christmas. I’m always on the hunt for a perfect vanilla perfume; my favourite scent. This is much more luxurious than other body shop fragrances; it’s a much more amped up version of a body mist that lasts on the skin. As it’s described on the website it’s ‘earthy, warm, seductive, carefree.’ It does have a typical vanilla sweetness but it has a warmth and depth to it also. The layered scent makes it seem more expensive than it is, a scent that is perfect for summertime, or all year really. As it’s a mono fragrance you can layer with other perfumes, creating a bespoke scent. One that I’m almost half way through.

theBalm Mary Lou manizer 

This is an absolutely raved about product in the beauty world. It’s a powder highlighter that deposits an ethereal glow onto any point you place it. I think I recall someone describing it as angels radiating onto your face? This highlighter will emphasise cheekbones, protrude a cupid’s bow and give you and all over incandescence to your complexion. Expect to turn your head side to side in the mirror to catch the light; it’s literally head turning. If there’s one thing you think might be lacking in your beauty stash then give this highlighter a go. Not as expensive as MAC’s Soft ‘n’ Gentle and a fraction of the price of a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, Mary Lou has definitely lured me in.  

MAC Retro Matte lipstick in Relentlessly Red

Personally, a lip product does not get much better than a completely opaque matte lipstick. I have talked about this lipstick here, but thought I better remind you about it. It’s a gorgeous pink that leans a little orange, a little red. Hard to put a finger on an exact shade it’s a beautiful colour on the lips which sticks around due to the long lasting matte formula. One you can get away without a touch-up if you’re lazy like me. They’re no Tom Ford magnet close lid type, but they make up for it with the vanilla scent. A lipstick I could honestly open and sniff away at. Better than textas, right? Save this one for when you receive a Myer giftcard, my chosen means of purchase. 

Slipper Collection

This post has been a long time coming. I have no idea why I have put if off for so long though! Today I bring you my slipper collection, and before you say anything, I definitely have too many slippers. And yet I have no intention of stopping. I may hate shoe shopping, but slipper shopping is all kinds of exciting. There is just so much glitter, pink and bows! Just a little disclaimer that I work at Peter Alexander, which may explain the various Peter Alexander branded ones, but I did purchase two out of the five before I got my job there. Read on to hear my very intelligent thoughts on home footwear (it’s really just me gushing about how cute they are!).

The first pair were part of a Valentine’s Day collection Peter Alexander had earlier on this year. It was a choice between this pair and a baby pink one, and if you know me then you know how indecisive I am. Either way I was going to end up with a beautiful pair of slippers, but decided to go with the red as they were just stunning. I have already worn these quite a few times and I’m always moving my foot about in the light so the diamantes can twinkle. It’s just so pretty! This is also my favourite style of slipper that Peter makes as they are just so comfortable, while holding their shape and providing minimal support. 

This pair I bought perhaps two years ago as I thought they could become my ruby slippers. Read on if you want to see my real ones! I actually haven’t worn these, hence the horrid dent as a result of being squashed on the shelf. The bow is velvety and gorgeous, while the entire shoe is covered in this sequin-like, sparkly material. Again, they are in my favourite style and I really should start to wear these as the weather gets warmer again. 

I loved these next slippers so much that I had to go back and buy another pair, as a replacement if I happened to ruin the first ones. They are from Kmart, my second favourite store to buy slippers, and I believe these were released around Easter time. They are so very cute with the ears and the embroidered little face, and the lining in the slipper is beautifully soft. When they say it’s like walking on clouds, it literally is. I had to take a close up shot of the white, fluffy material; just like a real rabbit (no rabbits were harmed in the making of these slippers). 

Yes, I have two colours in this style of slipper. Obsessed you say? These are what can be described as a cheap ‘n’ cheerful slippers as they cost only dollars, from Kmart of course. These are great when you want something on your feet, but not socks or really warm slippers. Think of these as a little barrier between your feet and the floor, providing a bit of warmth but really preventing the soles of your feet from looking black at the end of the day from too much walking around barefoot on the floorboards. Also, I don’t really worry about these getting dirty as much so if you have to walk to the letterbox (or go pat the cat outside) then these are perfect. Kmart seem to bring these in quite regularly in different colours so keep an eye out. 

This next pair is all kinds of ‘aw’ worthy. It’s a sheep in slipper form! I’m fairly sure that when these came out at Peter Alexander all of my coworkers got a pair; it’s a given. They have a very soft lining and the outer beige part is a sort of microsuede, definitely not ones to be pulling any weeds out in garden with. Save these for a night in perhaps when you watch a movie, just make sure not to drop any ice-cream on them!  

These are a pair from Target that I bought about a year ago. That day I decided to wear flats, bearing in mind I only own two pairs of flats, and my feet began to ache with blisters. Then my mum reminded me that I had just bought nine dollar slippers and could wear those in the meanwhile. Feeling a little self-conscious I donned my pink, sequin slippers as I finished shopping in the city. After about ten minutes I had no shame, reassuring myself that they looked like normal shoes, though a little embellished. As I got no strange looks that day I believe that my plan was a success. Pain free with my feet looking cute, I was one happy girl. Unfortunately walking around the city with these rendered them quite dirty looking, and many attempts to find more failed. One day, many months later, I spotted them on the shelf and bought another two pairs. I’m now comforted by the fact that I have backups for these (who except me has backups of slippers?), and I can continue to enjoy my cute, pink slippers. 

These are a pair my mum bought me about two years ago from a Peter Alexander outlet store. They were an absolute bargain at ten dollars and I have worn them excessively since then. They have become my slippers to just throw on, though I guess you can’t really “throw on” slippers, wearing them for any activity around the house. The style, pattern and lizard/crocodile detail makes me feel like a very classy woman who is lazing about the house, doing the housework in an effortlessly chic ensemble. I like to think that women like this still exist, perhaps dusting while their hair is perfectly coiffed, all whilst wearing red lipstick. The image I radiate, however, is a top-knot with a bare face, wearing my sophisticated slippers with grey Kmart trackies. Now that’s class. 

I have really saved the best until last with these pair. My official ruby slippers! I was so excited when the movie range was released at Peter Alexander this year (I believe these may still be available), and of course these were at the top of my wish list. Ruby slippers in literal slipper form? I was in slipper heaven. These are magically beautiful with the perfect shade of red, covered in sequins over the entire slipper. They also come in a cute box, which I love to display on the shelf in my room. I actually wore these while watching The Wizard of Oz about two months ago, and you can imagine just how content I was. The best thing is that I don’t need to click my heels three times; I’m already home.