OOTD: Casual Sundays

Bought this lightweight jumper from Supre of all places a few months ago. It's so perfect for wearing on those cooler spring/summer days. Here I'm wearing it over a plain black singlet and with black Lee skinny's. My pole lesson has changed this term from Tuesday nights to Sunday afternoons. 

I need to wear outfits that are easy to change out of for pole - this one's great because I dance in the singlet and just take my jeans off and throw my shorts on. 

Although this is really long at the front and back (which I love because there's ntohing I hate more than having a cold back), the sleeves are quite short on my long arms, so I just roll them up.

It's not super great at blocking out wind, but I love the colour. 

Unfortunately as I was leaving to meet J after, I spilled blue Powerade all over the left arm. 

What a dork. 

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My Week in Pictures #13

 

 

 

It's been a busy week. Found a copy of Metal Hammer in the Unishop for $3.01. I'm always one for a bargain so picked it up. Enjoying some iced coffees in the warmer weather with Cailin. I've been so busy with uni I'm eating dinner at my desk again which is something I try to avoid. J and I spend most of our time doing our own thing so almost every night (usually regardless of how busy I am) we eat dinner together. Unfortunately not this week. Also finished off my find-a-word puzzle book I bought for the long train rides to/from uni. Great timing, as the semester ends.
And chilling with my study buddy. Rommy is really adorable - we've trained him to sit on our shoulders, like a parrot. HAHA.

Do you like find-a-words? Or are you a Sudoku fiend? What crazy things have you trained your pets to do?



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Collective Haul: Lush, Priceline and Candles!

So when I ran my giveaway last month, quite a few people said that they wanted to see more hauls. Now, I can't promise that these will be super regular...unfortunately student budgets are not super conducive to spending....but I will post more!

This was basically just a bunch of stuff I've bought over the last few weeks. 

Just as I ran out of bleach, Priceline conveniently held a sale for me, so I stocked up on that. I also bought some purple toning shampoo - and a new Australis nail colour (see below).

I ducked into Target, noticed they were having an underwear sale so picked up two new bras! Only one is pictured here because I was wearing the other when I snapped these photos. But check out the video below to see the other one! 

I bought some new candles from City of Light candles and Luz by Nadia. 

I picked up orange creamiscle, hazelnut cappucino and gingerbread latte from the first store, and a lemon sherbet one from the second store. 

These seriously all smell incredible!

I also stopped into Lush and picked up a 'You snap the whip' body butter. This body butter smells like lollies and is super nourishing. It also has charcoal in it though so it's also really clarifying. 

My Stila 'In the Light' pallette finally arrived in the mail! You can definitely expect to see a full review on this one soon, and some tutorials.
The Australis nail colour I bought is called 'Rose Tattoo' and is a really pretty bronze shimmer. I definitely have to get back into store soon though and stock up on brighter colours to match the warmer weather.

Check out the video below for a more detailed description of everything I bought




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The Hair-Care Series Part Three: Silicones - Good or Bad?

NB: This post is going to be quite text-heavy, but hopefully it should also be really informative. 

There's been a bit of controversy lately about the use of silicones in haircare products - namely in conditioner. Some people (mostly people with curly hair) have sworn off them with claims that they weigh your hair down, cause buildup and overall damage your hair. This post is going to be about what silicones are, how they work, and rather than tell you whether to avoid them or not just present you with the information so you can make your own minds up.

What are silicones and how do I identify whether my products contain them?
Like many ingredients in skin/beauty/haircare, the different types of silicones can have names that are quite long and hard to remember. The easiest way to check if a product contains silicones is to look for any ingredient than ends in "cone", "xane" or "conol".

Basically, silicones are a chemical ingredient included in haircare products to coat the hair. Due to their chemical structure, they bond to the damaged parts of the hair shaft. This makes the hair shinier, provides a great thermal protectant, reduces moisture loss from the inner hair shaft and lubricates the surface making it easier to detangle.

Types of Silicones
Silicones mainly come in two types: water soluble and non-water soluble.
If any silicone ingredient has "PEG" or "PPG" in front of it, this is indicative of water solubility. Basically, it dissolves with water and won't cause any buildup.

These are the most common silicones used in hair care:

• Cyclomethicone is one of the most commonly used silicones in hair care. It's a volatile silicone, which means it evaporates and won't build up on your hair. It gives a silky, smooth feel and leaves the hair with incredible slip when wet and is found in both leave-on and rinse-off products.

• Dimethicone Copolyol is a water-soluble, lightweight silicone that provides very little buildup. It is often used in conditioning shampoos.

• Amodimethicone (or silicones that have "amo", "amine" or "amino" in their name) is a different kind of silicone that is chemically modified to stick to your hair better. That means it conditions well but it can also be more challenging to remove. Amodimethicone is commonly used in leave-in conditioners.

• Dimethicone is sometimes referred to as a silicone oil. Dimethicone coats hair, providing great shine and conditioning to the hair. However, because it's so water insoluble, it can be difficult to remove.  Additionally, this heavy coating is more likely to attract dirt and pollutants from the air, making the hair feel weighed down.  Dimethicone is often found in serums and other leave-on products.

Source. 

So what's the problem?
As you may notice from above, there are some silicones which are harder to remove from your hair. So over time they may build up and weigh your hair down.
To get rid of this buildup, you'll need to use a clarifying shampoo that contains sulphates in it.
Most shampoos that you get from the supermarket will have either Sodium-Laureth Sulfate or Sodium-Laurel Sulfate already, so you're probably already using this shampoo. If you have however, switched to a non-sulphate cleaner then you might need to switch back once a week to get rid of the buildup.

It's intersting to note...
Your hair has no 'memory'. It can't 'get used to' products. So if you find that you've been using the same shampoo and conditioner for an extended period of time and not getting the results you once were, this may be because of silicone buildup. Switch to a clarifying shampoo and you'll be back to normal!
Our skin sheds cells daily, so buildup on the skin is far less likely to happen.

Ultimately...
The decision is yours as to whether to use silicones or not.
They are a great ingredient for conditioning your hair, making it smooth, shiny and resistant to heat damage. If you have curly or thick hair however, you may notice your hair being 'weighed down' by silicones. Rather than avoiding them completely, maybe switch to a silicone that is water soluble or that evaporates (such as cyclomethicone or dimethicone copolypl).



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Wordless Wednesday: Doubles

All credit for these photos goes to Studio Verve.
These were taken in our last lesson of Term 5 for 2012. We played around with a bit of doubles work.

 

Sorry I've been a bit quiet this week - am right in the middle of exam / assessment overload. Will return to normal blogging soon.

xx




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My Week in Pictures #12

God these weeks are just FLYING past. I seriously can't believe it's already Sunday and here I am writing up ANOTHER post.
I feel I hardly blog about anything else!

Anyway...this is what I got up to this week:

 

 

1. Had lunch with J in the city on Tuesday - also did my very first job as a "mystery shopper". Exciting stuff!
2. Studying and drinking coffee at Rush 2. Standard.
3. Nailed my handstand, WITHOUT the pole holding me on for support! This is so massive for me, you guys have no idea. It's taken me about 4 months to get it!
4. Some snaps from Marrickville Festival.
Lots of stalls and cool stuff to see. J won an apple, I ate some dumplings and we both saw our very first "pig on a spit". I love the vibe at community festivals - one of my favourite things about S/S is that all the suburbs start having their festivals! Yay!
5. Bought some new shower stuff from Lush! Will feature in a haul very soon so keep your eyes peeled!

What did you get up to this week? Have you ever seen a pig on a spit? Can you do handstands? Or the splits? Or any other cool circus tricks?



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October Bellabox!

 

So on Monday my Bellabox arrived! I'm still going through my the products in my September box, but that didn't stop me from getting excited when I saw it in my mailbox!
(okay, technically it was behind my bin...but we don't have a mailbox!)

This box celebrated their first birthday, and tbh I thought it was better than LHI's birthday box. 
Not only were the products better, but they also donated $1 from each box to the "Look Good...Feel Better Foundation". 
I wasn't too sure what that was because I hadn't heard of them, but I looked them up and I'm happy that part of my money went there. 
From their website: "Look Good…Feel Better is a free community service program dedicated to helping Australians cope with the appearance related side-effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy such as hair loss and changes to the skin."
I think that's a really fitting charity for a beauty box to give to. 

So like I said, I was pretty happy with what I received! Let's take a look:

1. Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Instant Action Lift Treatment

30mL = $100

Instantly lift and firm your skin wherever, whenever you need it! Over time, it even boosts collagen production and elastin retention in the skin. 

I received a 5mL sample. Hollllllyyyy moly is this an expensive product! This isnt' really a product that appeals to me, simply because I'm 20 and although I use preventative anti-ageing treatments, this appears to be for older people? I'm not too sure, so don't take my word on that. I will probably still try it though, or give it to my mum. 

2. Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Extra Radiance Renewer

30mL = $74 / 50mL = $102

This exfoliating serum contains plenty of ingredients to promote cell maturation, turnover and removal without causing the slightest irritation to your skin! 

I received a 7mL sample. I am so thankful for the little card that comes with these boxes that tell me what these products are. I would not think "exfoliating serum" from what Clinique have called this. 

I have used it a few times, and am yet to notice any major difference. I have however, had a bit of a breakout over the past week. That could be stress-related though, so I'm not ruling out this product yet. 

3. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Colour

9.17mL = $13.95

On our long list of nail polish loves, Sally Hansen is right up the top. Their 60-second manicure nail colour is no exception! Sweep this pretty pink shade over nails for a fast colour fix! 

I received a full size of this product. I love receiving nail polish in these boxes - you can't really go wrong with it. This is a really pretty, almost nude pink that adds a nice shine to my nails. I didn't time it, so I don't know if the 60 second claim is accurate, but it did dry fast! I received colour 150 - Petal Pusher. 

4. Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm - Sheer Pink Tint*

2g = $8.99

* Not available for sale just yet.

This ultra hydrating gloss is perfect for throwing in your bag, for hydrated lips on the go. 

I received a full size of this product. In the tube this looks seriously pink, however applies quite sheer. I was going to swatch it for you, but honestly there's not really a point because you can't see. I will probably continue to use this product - it's a great size to chuck in my pencil case. I don't know if I'd repurchase though, just because I love my trust Blistex soooo much. 

5. DKNY Fresh Blosson Eau So Intense

100mL = $135

Just in time for spring, the cult classic DKNY Be Delicious French Blossom scent gets an intense makeover! Delicate florals, citrus, and a crisp apple blossom accord combine for a feminine and sensual scent. 

I received a 1.5mL sample size of this product. A lot of people complain about perfume samples, but personally I love them! These sample sizes give you enough for a couple of days of wear, and they're easy to chuck in your handbag. This perfume is really florally when you first spray it, but then you can pick up the apple blossom-y. (I suck at describing perfumes!) I actually really, really like this scent. 

6. Klorane Shampoo with Oat Milk

200mL = $9.95

Perfect for delicate hair, this shampoo is gentle and kind to tresses, providing moisture and protection that over time helps deter breakages and split ends with post-cleansing combing. 

I received a 25mL sample size. I am on the lookout for a new shampoo so this sample could not have arrived at a better time! Although I don't have delicate hair, it is damaged and very dry. I just hope it's not too moisturising and actually does some cleansing!

7. Klorane Conditioning Cream with Pomegranate

150mL = $9.95

This conditioning cream does everything you want it to - working deep down inside the shaft of your hair, to penetrate every strand for nourishment from root to tip! Hair is left soft, luxurious and full of body. Use as a weekly treatment. 

I received a 10mL sachet. Haven't tried this one yet, but I will probably be giving it a whirl later this week, after I bleach my roots. 

8. Bourjois Smoky Pencil in 72 Dark Purple

0.89g = $20

The soft, easy-to-blend tip of this pop coloured liner glides along the lash line for an intense outline in one stroke. Plus, the ultra-soft brush perfectly smudges the formula. 

I received a full size of this product. I've swatched it on my hand, and it's okay. It's pretty shimmery, and does apply smoothly. It doesn't really smudge well at all though, and the brush (at the end of the pencil) doesn't really do much, but wipe the product away.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with this month's box, and will use up everything in there. There was also a pink chocolate heart, which of course I ate already.

What did you receive in your bella box?
Have you used any of these products before? Ever tried purple eyeliner? It kind of daunts me...



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GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED!

Just a quick post to thank you all for entering my 50 follower giveaway.
I was kind of overwhelmed at the response - there was a total of 3465 entries!

Congratulations to ....

SARAH-LOUISE BAILEY !

who won this great gift prize:

I noticed her tweeting almost every day, so the prize was well-deserved!
I have posted off the prize today, so you should be getting it in the mail within 10 working days! (According to Australia Post...)

Congratulations Sarah-Louise and thanks again to everyone who entered. If you didn't win - don't despair! Keep your eyes peeled for future giveaways, and next time you might win! In the meantime, check out Sarah-Louise's blog "Life in a Break Down" by clicking the image below:

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It's a Mystery!

So, if you know anything about me, it would be that I love reading.
Which is why my 'favicon' (that little picture in the tab next to my blog name) is a stack of books. I love reading mysteries. They make me think, and I'm hopeless at guessing "whodunnit" ... actually I'm pretty hopeless at that whether I'm watching a mystery or reading it. Honestly, I just get so caught up in the story I don't think that far ahead.

And now I've stumbled across a real-life mystery that has me completely baffled. I'm going to let you in on all the facts and maybe you can help me solve it, because this one has really got me and J scratching our noggins.

So I mentioned that last Thursday I had a job interview. In my rush to get ready in the morning, I had tried on a couple of outfits. The first one was a black skirt / stockings and this red shirt:

Pretty, feminine, and my favourite colour. The only reason I didn't wear it is because it's slightly shorter than I'd like and doesn't tuck in nicely. This has the effect of making me look a bit scruffy, which isn't a look you go for in a job interview. 

Anyway, so I tried it on, took it off and left it on the lounge. 

Went to my job interview in a black shirt, in case you were wondering. 

Didn't think anything else of it. 

Maybe if you're super attentive to detail you may have noticed where this is leading... 

on Friday afternoon I went to go sit on the lounge, moved my pile of clothes off the cushions and noticed this:

HORRIBLE BLACK INK STAINS ALL OVER MY BEAUTIFUL BLOUSE!

OHMYGOD. 

I know what you're thinking. "A pen obviously has leaked". And that was my first thought too. and J's when I yelled and carried on and brought this to his attention. 

Except there was no pen anywhere on the lounge. 

No other item of clothing had ink stains. 

Those spots were 100% not there on Thursday morning when I tried that shirt on. 

So somehow, in between Thursday morning and Friday afternoon, black ink splodges have gotten all over my shirt. Maybe I could understand this if it was in one spot. But no. The entire left side of the shirt is covered in these mysterious spots.

My second thought was "ROMMY!"
But then I realised that's silly. He doesn't have opposable thumbs. How would he be able to manipulate a pen to spill ink all over my shirt?

So that my dear readers is the mystery.
Help me solve it, because I'm pissed as hell that not only is my shirt destroyed, but I don't know how it came to be that way.




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Nails of the Week #4

This week on my nails I'm sporting a bit of a twist from your classic 'French Manicure'. Take a look:

Excuse the slight messiness on some of the nails. I'll explain below why it didn't turn out perfect, how you can create the look yourself, and what not to do (so yours turn out better than mine!)

But firstly, these were the colours I used:

 

Cutex 2-in-1 base coat, Revlon 620 "Bewitching" and O.P.I "Black Onyx". 

You can use any colours you want, but I find using two colours that really contrast against eachother work really well. 

How to do it:

1. Firstly you're going to want to make sure you have no excess nail polish on your nails, and file and shape them. Then add your base coat. I always, always, always apply a base coat every time I paint my nails. Not only does it make your nail polish last longer by creating a smooth base but it also stops discolouration of your nails. 

2. Then apply your base colour. I'm using "Bewitching" by Revlon. 

Don't worry too much about messiness at this point. You can go back and remove excess nail polish on your fingers with a cotton bud dipped in nail polish remover. 

3. Wait at least 20 minutes for that colour to dry thoroughly. Then, apply some tape at the tips of your nails. Leave enough room to create a noticeable line. 

 

I used this french tip tapes by Manicare, but honestly you could use masking tape. Just make sure you cut a nice 'half moon' shape. Whatever you do use though, the trick really is to make sure it's not too sticky. 

4. Wait again, until that colour is completely dried, and carefully peel the tape off. Voila! Clean off the excess polish, apply a top coat and you're done!

I really need to stress how important it is to wait until the nail polish is completely dry. Otherwise the tape will  lift up the colour and you'll be left with something ugly like this:

Honestly, I don't know if I would re-purchase those Manicare tapes for this type of french tip. On the packet, they advise that you paint the tip white, then go over with the light pink. Obviously that's not really going to work if you're using two bright colours, which is why I did my base coat before the tips. They are a bit too sticky and do tend to rip the polish right off. Obviously this creates an issue when you go back and repaint it. Too much polish layered on top of eachother just makes it more likely to chip, and in this case - this look didn't really last that long.

When I try it again, I'll probably stick to masking tape.

What's your best "french tip" tip? Do you go for the more subtle pink / white look, or do you prefer bold, dramatic colours?

\

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My Week in Pictures #11

So this entry is a day late.
But technically, it's still Sunday somewhere in the world, right?

Unfortunately I didn't get many snaps of the past week gone by - it honestly was all a bit of a blur and I didn't even really get up to that much!

Rommy has fallen in love with the box that came with our rice cooker. We put his kitty blanket inside for him and he loves sitting in there while we watch TV. What is it with cats and boxes?

 

My sister turned 18! I seriously can't believe how old she is, and man does it make me feel old! We celebrated with lunch at my mums and then went to dinner with dad. I am privileged in that I shared her first legal drink with her! Here we are sipping down Midori Lemonades. I went up to order it for Ally, and when I realised they had no cider decided I'd have the same. So I ordered two and the bartender was like "...Midori Lemonade. We don't sell that I don't think" while she looks in the fridge behind her. I explained "it's basically a shot of Midori with lemonade..." (while pointing to the bottle of Midori on the shelf behind her) and she gave me this really confused look. She called over her manager and was like "Uhm..what was it again? Do we sell that?" He grabbed the Midori from the shelf and said "mix that with lemonade". I mean, really, it's not rocket science. 

J was also very much a cutie and bought me a giant packet of nerds to get me through the mountain of uni work I have this week. How is everyone else feeling as the year draws to a close? Overwhelmed? Me too!

Sydney has been giving us some weird weather the past week. This was on Thursday, and today it was around the 27 Celsius mark! On the same day as this, I actually had a job interview in North Sydney. It was so cold and rainy and such a trek. But it was worth it because I got the job! Yay for employment! 

And receiving letters from my penpal in England (Siobhan - check out her blog here) always brings a smile to my face! Something about the written word on paper just gets me all happy inside.

Have you ever had a strange reaction from a bartender when ordering a drink? When was the last time you received a hand-written letter in the mail?

  

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