January 2018 Beauty Favourites

One: Bourjois Delice Bronzing Powder

Of the plethora of bronzers that I have in my stash, this is the one that I've been reaching for almost every time lately. The colour is perfect for lighter complexions and the texture of the powder is soft - I love it for everyday wear. I usually detest bronzers with shimmer in them, but I think that the subtle gold flecks are actually what I like most about this one in particular. They're not big ol' chunky, glittery pieces in the slightest, they just add a lovely sun-kissed luminosity to the face. I would have preferred if it were in a proper pan rather than the chocolate bar themed (and scented) flippy cardboard box, but that's neither here nor there.

Two: M.A.C. Chili

This dang shade has been on every birthday and Christmas wishlist I ever created for years, I don't know why or how it took me this long to get my hands on it. I think it's safe to assume that most people have tried a M.A.C. lipstick at least once in their life, so I won't go on about the formula. It's pretty standard throughout (pigmented, long wear-time, mattes can be a little drying).. It's more about the shade itself today. Chili is a beautiful matte orangey terracotta colour, perfect for Autumn. I can't get enough of it, especially when paired with a warm smokey eye.

Three: AESOP Fabulous Face Cleanser*
I was on the search for something with a little more oomph that my regular daily cleanser and I think that I've found it. I usually shy away from gel cleansers as anything foaming is generally a bad idea on my dry skin but this is so low-foaming and hydrating that it works wonderfully in conjunction with my difficult skin. This cleanser is suited to sensitive skin, so it is very gentle.. I don't usually feel overly cleansed when using a gentle formula, but this still manages to leave my face feeling like it has actually been cleaned, without feeling stripped - ka-ching!

Four: Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer

I love that this has the potential to be a 2-in-1 product, covering your moisturising and priming bases in one. As I have very dry skin, I always wear a moisturiser underneath, but those with skin that is more towards the normal side can definitely get away without it. It contains Hyaluronic Acid, which we all know is great for hydrating the skin and Niacinamide, which has amazing skin-restoring properties. I actually don't know if I prefer this or my beloved Hangover primer. The fact that this even compares to Hangover in my books means that it's good. It's super light-weight, fast-absorbing and non-greasy, leaving my skin feeling soft, plump and prepped for foundation.

Five: Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Palette

I recently asked you guys in my Collective Beauty Haul post whether this palette was worth it after umm-ing and ahh-ing for quite some time. Jesse ended up getting it for me for Christmas and I've used it exclusively since. First off, the shade range is amazing! There are so many different shades: bright purples, warm shades, metallics, duochromes, glitters, neutrals.. It has been so fun experimenting with new colours, combos and looks all from the one palette! It's so versatile! Formula-wise, the quality of these shadows is great. Almost all shades have very good pigmentation and are highly saturated, you only need a light hand. They also blend out like a dream and the wear-time is fantastic. There are a few complaints around the ol' interwebz about the amount of fallout.. Yes, there is a bit of fallout but the more pigmented a shadow, the more fallout there is and I personally don't think that there is a horrendous amount of fallout.


What products have you been loving lately?

As always, this post has not been sponsored in any way, meaning that none of the items mentioned have been sent to me, endorsed or paid for by anyone other than me, myself and I. This post does, however, contain affiliate links. I will always disclose such information with an asterisk (*) for full disclosure to my readers.

Feel free to find and purchase these products elsewhere if you don't get down like that. :)

Friday Finds

Here are a few of my favourite internet finds (and loves) from over the past week:

\\  The smell of these DIY rosemary mint bath salts would be amazing!  //
\\  These heart shaped pop tarts are giving me all of the feels.  //
\\  This DIY pom pom scarf seems so simple to make, yet looks so chic.  //

\\  How cool would a (faux for me) DIY lucky butterfly cloche display look in your house?!  //

\\  Baked cinnamon crème brulee French toast with raspberry preserves. Need I say more?  //
\\  Where have champagne caramel rice krispie treats been all my life?  //

Happy Friday!

December 2017 Look Back and January 2018 Goals

Not to be confused with New Year's resolutions (you can see those here). I like to set myself small, attainable goals each month in addition to big honking resolutions. I feel that this process is far more effective in helping me to get shit done and maximising my year overall.

ALSO! New year, new graphic. Hooray!

A look back at December's goals:

Spend less money

"I've spent a lot of money that I shouldn't have over the past couple of months. Oops. With my Christmas shopping finished (I KNOW! I've never been so organized!), I have every intention of reining in my spending, even though there are SO MANY things that I want to buy for myself. #TreatYoself."

Cross: In hindsight, this probably wasn't the best goal to have over the festive season. This was a fail x1,000.

Get to the gym at least three times a week

"I keep setting fitness goals and I keep falling short. December is always the month that I fall off of the fitness train hard, with all the festivities and all. I want this month to be as healthy as it can be, giving me a head start on the new year. Hitting the gym three times a week isn't as often as the four times that I used to commit to, but I think three is realistic over the holiday season."

Cross: I did so well at the beginning of the month.. then along came the lead up to Christmas and it all fell apart.

Visit the city at night

"Perth city is quite magical on a December night; they've put up big, beautiful Christmas light installations, organize free entertainment and events, and of course, the night markets. It's so easy to get in to the Christmas spirit after a stroll through the city on a warm night."

Cross: We never got around (or could be bothered) to heading in to the city for the festivities. Sigh. Maybe this year.

Decorate!
"I never was one to really get in to the Christmas spirit. I like Christmas and all, but I've never bought in to the pre-Christmas hype. This year, being the first Christmas living out of home, I think that it's time we made out our little traditions. It might be fun to make a night of putting up the tree, decorating the house, wrapping presents and drinking eggnog. Throw a post-decorating Christmas movie (The Grinch, obviously) and you're set."

Tick: We put up a tree, I made eggnog, I wrapped presents, we watched The Grinch. It was the most Christmas-y that I have ever been.

Bake something sweet

"I have been craving baked apple for weeks now and in the name of cozy Christmas spirit, I think I'd like to make a baked apple-something myself. I'm thinking something like this, or this. Or I could get fancy with this one. I love the way the house smells when I bake, and it would be perfect to snack on as we're doing our Christmas decorating!"

Tick: This one was fun! I made an apple pie/tart/thing and Jesse and I gobbled it all up in about 3 minutes flat.

Goals for January:

Book a holiday

One of my New Year's resolutions was to travel so I'd like to get the ball rolling and ensure that it happens by booking flights and accommodation this month. Jesse and I didn't get a holiday last year, or the year before come to think of it, and I've been craving a holiday for so long now. The Plan is to visit The Whitsundays, which is actually an item (as is seeing The Great Barrier Reef) on my lifetime bucket list - ka-ching times three.

Use MyFitnessPal for all food input

Rewind a year-or-so ago, I was using MyFitnessPal religiously and guess what?! I saw results. Shocker. I eventually grew tired of the tedious process of entering every single thing I ate and lapsed in to not using it. Queue the weight gain... Re-gain? I'd definitely like to get back in to the habit of inputting my meals and snacks in to MyFitnessPal. It's annoying, but it works.

Get back to the gym

Another of my resolutions is to lose 10kg before January 2019. It's a slow process so I'm starting as early as possible. Easing back in to the gym after a week or two off is probably the best way to go. Aiming for my regular 4 times a week may be asking too much this month so if I can get there at least twice a week, three times ideally, I'll be happy.

Meet the neighbours

I'm one of those super awkward, super shy neighbours who will pretend that they don't see you until you call out "hi" to me (hello, social anxiety), and apparently, so is the rest of the street. We've been in our house close to 5 months now and I've not communicated with any of the people who live around me other than the nice old man across the road. Rather than keeping my head down and pretending that they don't exist when the neighbours just so happen to be outside when I am, I'm aiming to say hello every time. Shudder.


What are you hoping to achieve this month (or year)?

December 2017 Beauty Favourites

One: Too Faced Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer & Setting Spray

I've had time to play around with this and although it's marketed as being able to be used as a setting spray, I probably wouldn't recommend using it as such. It leaves behind a tacky feel to the skin which isn't really what you want on top of your make-up. It is because of this tacky finish that this makes an awesome primer. A couple of spritzes and my dry skin feels smooth, soft and hydrated and my make-up glides over this base wonderfully. Because it is full of skin loving and repairing ingredients, I also enjoy a light misting as a mid-day pick-me-up on no, or barely any, make-up days. Plus, the smell! Light, coconut-ty goodness.

Two: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in 'Dim Infusion'

The quality of Hourglass blushes are amazing! The powder is very finely milled - I love how smooth and silky it feels, while still remaining incredibly pigmented. I already had 'Diffused Heat' (a more pink hue) in my collection but I was after something a little more subtle, so I picked up 'Dim Infusion' in a recent haul. It is a lovely muted coral colour that compliments my blue eyes beautifully. It also has a luminescent finish, giving off a beautifully soft, gentle glow without being glittery.

Three: Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows

I loved using these over the holiday season! Their sparkly goodness were perfect for festive eye looks. I have 'Kitten Karma' (a warm champagne with silver copper sparkle) and 'Molten Midnight' (black with gold and silver sparkle)  and I've put a handful of other colours in my cart for my next MECCA shop. It's so easy to create beautiful glittery eye looks with these babies - the formula glides on with minimal effort, blends and spreads easily and does not transfer or have any fallout when dry. The colour payoff and overall effect is absolutely stunning.

Four: Maybelline x Gigi Hadid Collection Liquid Eye Liner

The Gigi Hadid collection launched here in Australia at the start of December and although I'm not such a fan of a liquid eyeliner, it was love at first swipe. In all honesty, all liquid eyeliners basically seemed pretty much the same to me.. until I tried this one. It's so pigmented and dark. The applicator shape makes it very easy to apply and create a nice, sharp wing, especially if you're a bit of a noob like myself - it's quite thin and flexible. The rest of the collection is a bit of a "meh" if you ask me but this eye liner is a damn good one.

Five: Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in 'Flirtation'

I have a few shades in my collection but I've really been reaching for 'Flirtation' lately. It's a gorgeous coral-y pink that is super flattering on me. The formula of this "lipcolor" is more like a lip gloss in my opinion (although they don't technically say that this is a lipstick so maybe it's my bad for assuming it was). Despite the name, it definitely is not matte but it is very pigmented and smells amazing. It is also so comfortable to wear! I honestly feel as though it hydrates my lips even though it doesn't claim to. The tube is huge, too, which is always a good thing.

What products have you been loving lately?

As always, this post has not been sponsored in any way, meaning that none of the items mentioned have been sent to me, endorsed or paid for by anyone other than me, myself and I.

Friday Finds

Here are a few of my internet finds (and loves) from over the past week:

\\ I need me a red wine hot chocolate.. with homemade whipped cream, too!  //

\\  How pretty is this DIY floral gold leaf backdrop?!  //

\\  These disco ball cupcakes are so funky. Was that technically a pun? Soznotsoz.  //

\\  My weekend brunch menu is decided with this blueberry doughnut French toast bake.  //
\\  I can't get over how cute this DIY sushi roll pillow is.  //
\\  I need to fill my house with all the DIY snowy mason jar fairy lights.  //

Happy Friday!

This Time Next Year..

Happy new year, all!

I'm all for a fresh start, but I've never really been one for the New Year's resolution thing. I've always been a firm believer in setting small, attainable goals. I feel it is far more effective than setting big, honking resolutions. Nonetheless, I enjoy taking a step back at this time of year and reflecting on the months that have passed, using the quiet time between Boxing Day and New Years Eve to make plans for the year ahead.

Last year was a bit of a strange one. If I'm honest, I feel as though it was a sort of "filler" year for me. I mean, did I really even achieve anything? Sure, there was that one pretty cool thing that happened, but I guess that 2017 just didn't end up being what I thought it would be. I don't know, I guess I just feel like the year just flew by and I didn't stop to take it all in, or make it worthwhile.. I didn't find my dream job after completing my course, I sure as hell didn't lose those kilos I'd gained; I just don't think that I worked towards anything.

Perhaps the house (rightfully) took all of my focus in 2017. I do have the tendency to be far too hard on myself, which is no mindset to be in if you're looking for a "fresh start" which, I guess, I am. It's time for a positive mindset coming in to 2018:

Photo features of a handful of my favourite instagram posts last year.


This time next year.. I want to be 10kg lighter

Self control when it comes to my diet and lack of motivation to properly work out have been my two demons for as long as I can remember. I started taking my fitness seriously back in 2015 - I had a routine, I watched my food intake and I saw results.. I've more than lapsed since then. 2017 was possibly the worst year for me health and fitness wise and guess what? My body shows it (surprise, surprise). This year, I want to stick to my set gym days as best as I can. I'm determined to show better self-control when it comes to junky foods and monitor what I eat a bit more strictly. I've done it before, I can do it again.

This time next year.. I want the house to feel like home

Okay, it's not that our house doesn't feel like "home", as such, it just feels so.. impersonal. There are no kick-knacks displayed or photos on the wall or décor pieces to give it that warm touch; It's just... furniture. These things take time, especially considering we started from scratch but I'm excited slowly put more and more of a personal touch on the house throughout the year.

This time next year.. I want to be employed in an events coordination space

I'm going to make 2018 the year that I properly focus on pursing my event planning dreams. I've been stuck in this same routine for the same seven years and after obtaining my Diploma of Events, I am sooo ready for a (dream) career change. This year I want to really work towards a career in event management.

This time next year.. I want to travel
Jesse and I didn't get a holiday last year, or the year before come to think of it. This year, I'd like to make plans to get away, just the two of us. Interstate at the least. Taking the time to relax together and have the stresses of work melt away would be more than wonderful and I think it's just what we need.


I have 12 months to make something of this year. A few small steps each day is all I need to make things happen. If I just stay inspired, remember my "why" and not lose heart, there's no reason why 2018 can't be everything I want it to be.

What are you hoping for in 2018?