09/11/2012

HOTD - Fishtail Braids

Fishtail braids are the in thing this spring / summer. They are a great alternative to a plait, especially if you feel plaits make you look younger!. I find they are a great way to wear my hair to work as the fishtail braid looks very sophisicated.



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These braids are very easy! The picture below shows how to achieve them.

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Image sourced from Pinterest

You split your hair into 2 sections, and take a small piece from the outside of each section to cross over each other.

This braid encyclopedia video from Letsmakeitup1 on YouTube is also very helpful for all types of braids! (Skip to 4:36 to see the fishtail braid tutorial)

  

- J x




01/10/2012

Crafternoon Delight!

Last week, a couple of friends and I decided to have a bit of a "crafternoon" around at my house, and we were actually quite productive!
 
One of the major "crafty" (more like DIY) things we did was repaint my chest of drawers. I have been wanting to do this for ages as it was a completely different colour to the rest of my bedroom furniture! And for the cost of the paint, it was a lot cheaper to paint it rather then get another one.
 

What you will need:

 
- A sander, just to get the old varnish off (I picked one up from Bunnings for $34)
- Paint (I chose Gloss Paint and it made all the difference!)
- A paint brush. Now the man at Bunnings did say to use a roller, but the paint went on so much nicer with the paint brush.
 

Step 1.

Remove the handles from the drawers.
 
(NB: For the next few steps, you need to be somewhere well ventilated!)
 

Step 2.

Sand the varnish off of the drawers with the sander.


Step 3.

Find a container that will allow you to drill holes in it and drill enough holes so that all of the handles have something to dry on (if they are circle!)
 
This is what I did and it made painting the handles so much easier!! Placed the screws from the handles through the holes and then screwed the handles back onto them!
 
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Step 4.

Paint the handles and the drawers.
 
These will need to dry overnight and then you can put it all back together!
 
This is what my chest of drawers looked like before:
 
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And this is the finished result!
 
 
So much nicer!!
 
 
The other project that we completed was flower pots - with a twist! These are so so cute and easy, and would be a great gift for somebody.
 
What you will need:
 
- A tray for the pots to sit on
- 3 x pots (or however many will fit on your chosen tray)
- Soil
- Plants (these could be flowers, herbs etc)
...and the twist....
- Chalkboard paint!
 

Step 1.

Paint the pots with the chalkboard paint, making sure all of your brush strokes are in the same direction. Also, ensure you paint at least half of the pot inside so that you cannot see the original colour once the plants are in.
 

Step 2.

Once they are dry, place the plants into the pots
 

Step 3.

Fill the pots with soil

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Step 4.

Place on the tray, write whatever you like on them, and you are done!!

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I have a few other projects to do this week, but I won't be able to put them up until after my sister's birthday as they are for her! (he he he)
 
- J x
 
 
 

25/09/2012

Last "Lust Have It!" Beauty Box - September

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This is the last beauty box I will be receiving (if you would like to know why, please see my "Lust Have It!" - August post.
 
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Dermalogica PreClense
This PreClenser get rid of any oils etc in your skin before you begin cleansing. I have used dermalogica products before and did like them - but they are so expensive! I will probably try and work this into my usual skin care routine and see if it does anything for my skin!
 
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Dermalogica Active Toner
This Toner is actually a spray bottle - you spray it on your face and follow with moisturizer after.
 
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The Dermalogica products also came with a promotion card - free dermalogica facial treatment valued at $90 (catch - youhave to spend $50 on their products first which, considering the price of them, would be equivalent to 1 product!)
 
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Davroe Ultimatum Non Aerosol Hairspray
This product actually caught my attention. It supposedly has a long lasting hold and gives the hair extra shine - I will definitely be trying this one out!
 
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The Davroe Hairsoray also comes with 2 promotional cards - Claim a free davroe styling product - I will be looking further into this!
 
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Mirenesse "Protect Me" - Tinted or Regular
Holy moly - $69 for 18g of this product! This is an anti-ageing balm with mineral sunscreens infused into it (they protect against UVA and UVB) I will give it a try to see if it is truly worth the money - but to be honest I'm only 21 - so I'm not looking for an anti-ageing cream just yet!
 
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Say it With Scent - Green Tea or Vanilla or Frangipani
I received the Green Tea hand or body lotion. Another lotion! My bathroom cupboard is full of these lotion samples...one day I might get around to trying them all!
 
Overall - a pretty expensive box this month! But as few products I am looking forward to trying.
 
- J x
 
 

16/09/2012

Skin Care Routine

I have never been one to look after my skin or get into a proper skin care routine. I would stick with a "routine" for about a week and then I would get over that and forget about it!

But, over the last year I have been slowly working my way up to having a skin care routine in place. It started with me always putting moisturiser on under my foundation, and has now developed into a cleanse, tone, and moisturise routine.

Now, when it comes to the products I use, I am in no way an expert as to which products are better for my skin because frankly, I have not tried enough! I have in the past used Natio products which I have mentioned in other posts. I do love Natio, and would definitely repurchase their cleanser, toner and moisturizer. They are also very well priced.  But I recently ran out, so I have started using the 3 step skin routine from Clinique (I was given these as a present for my 21st birthday)

NB: I am not reviewing any of the products I have mentioned below. I am simply letting you know what products I use and my routine!
 

Step 1 - Cleanse

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap

 
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I keep this in the shower so that I remember to use it! Facial soaps are a great alternative to normal soap as the skin on your face is more sensitive than that of the rest of your body.
 


Step 2 - Tone

Clinique Clarifying Lotion

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This is used all over the face except eyes and is applied with a make up remover pad.
 
For eyes, I am currently using Avene Gentle Eye Make-up Remover to remove any left over eye make up after cleansing as it is not as harsh as toners / make up removers.
 
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Toning is actually quite an important step. I used to always skip this because it is not as easy as applying it with your hands. But you will be surprised at how much product will still come off your face even though you have already cleansed it. The photo below shows how much product I got off of my face even after having a shower and cleansing!
 
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Step 3 - Moisturize

Clinique Dramatically Different Mousturizing Lotion

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I only complete steps 1 and 2 after I have had a shower, but I moisturize morning and night and if I re-do my makeup throughout the day. This clinique moisturizer only requires you to use a small amount, like in the picture below, as it has very good coverage. 

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NB: A tip my boss was told by her skin care professional - when using moisturizer for the day time, use one with UVB in it not just UV. UVB rays are the main cause of skin cancers.


I must admit, when I am in my routine I can definitely tell the difference in my skin. Whilst we were away earlier this year, my routine got thrown out of whack and my skin became spotty and uneven. I believe that it is important to clean your skin daily especially after make up use.

- J x

02/09/2012

Pinterest Pins of the Week

I have been pinning an awful lot lately, but these are my favourite pinterest pins of the week.

Nails

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How cool are these. Glow in the dark nailpolish. I think they are awesome for something such as a NYE party or a fluro party.
 

Hair

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I love the look of waves / loose curls for summer. To me, waves and curls are typical summer / beachy hairstyles because they look more natural than straight hair. Will definitely be wearing my hair like this!
 

Things to Make

 
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Such a cool idea. This is really the first tutorial like this that has not involved glue or anything complicated. All you need to do is wrap string around a balloon, spray with fabric stiffner, let it dry and pop the balloon - soo easy!!
 
Hope you have enjoyed a little insight into what I have been loving on Pinterest this week!!
 
- J xx

27/08/2012

5 Things in 7 Days - August / September

It's been a while since I did one of these BUT I have a few things I would love to do this week I thought I would write a post about them as doing this seems to make me more motivated!!
 
PS. I realise this is 5 things in 7 days, not the usual 7 but I want to actually make these achievable!
 
These are projects / things that I would like to achieve in the next week (or at least begin)
 
1.  GIY Tote Bag
 
 
 
Miss Glamorazzi (aka Ingrid) posted this on her YouTube channel today and I fell in love instantly. They are so easy to make and look sooo cute. I will be interested to see how durable they really are considering they are only held together with duct tape and staples!
 
2. GIY Wrap Bracelets
 
 
 
Yep I am loving Ingrid's GIY tutorials so I am going to attempt two this weekend. These bracelets will be a big hit in spring/summer and I love how easy they are, yet they look like store-bought bracelets. The fact that you can customise them (including the tote bags above) really appeals to me.
 
3. TAFE
 
This seems to be appearing a lot in these lists - but I have another couple of units so I really want to get the bulk of them out the way so that I can finish my course quicker!
 
4. Start a Knitting Project
 
I know it is nearing the end of winter, but that does not mean that the knitting has to stop! I found this cute cardign pattern on Ravelry and I think it would make a cute spring / summer item.
 
Click on the pictures to be taken back to the original source.
 

 I love the idea of using knit for the rib and stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl the next) for the body- makes for an easy pattern! My only issue is going to be what colour to knit it in. I love the look of the multi-coloured wool used in the pictures above, but I really want to knit it so that I can get good use out of it.
 
5. Start Yoga Again
 
I cannot wait to start Yoga again. I find yoga helps me to forget about the stresses of everyday life and instead concentrate on me. I took a term off during winter and have really noticed the difference in my body.
 
I am so excited to start these projects and will be sure to blog about them when I have finished them.
 
- J x


26/08/2012

Knitting...really?!

So far, my blog posts have been mostly beauty related and a few DIY posts every so often. Today this post is about knitting.
Really?! Knitting?! Isn't that for old people? Knitting is such a stereotyped hobby. People assume that knitting is for old nanna's and not young people! People also assume this is a hobby enjoyed only by females, but males also enjoy knitting.

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Image from Pinterest


My Grandma first taught me how to knit when I was around 8 years old. I never really made anything in particular, I just knitted long "scarves." When I was a bit older, Mum and I would knit squares for charity so that they were able to make blankets. I stopped knitting for years, and only took it up again last year when I was experiencing anxiety. It really helped me to calm down and allowed me to stop thinking about all the stresses in my life and clear my mind.

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Image from Pinterest
 
Now I love knitting. The satisfaction you get from making something yourself and other people commenting on it is very worth it!
 
I am going to have a few more posts on knitting as I start new projects - I hope that I can inspire you to take up knitting or at least make you see it in a different light!


- J x

23/08/2012

Lust Have It! - August

I received the August "Lust Have It!" beauty box today. And it was actually in a box! This is because it was their 1st birthday.

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Very cute packaging.
However, I cannot say I am as impressed with this one as I was with the July box. I have actually cancelled my subscription. I like the idea of these boxes, but until Australian beauty boxes provide products like the UK and American boxes, I am not sure I want to keep paying $15 a month for them.
Here's what's inside...

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tanGo Tanning Glove
This "glove" (more like cloth) is supposed to help remove fake tan from your skin. It also says it can be used as a makeup remover by just adding water. I am interested to see how this actually works.


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Appelles Body Booster Skin Lotion
I do not get very excited about products like this purely because I hardly ever use them! I had so many of these products at one stage it filled an entire draw! This one is apparently made of ingredients sourced from exotic locations.

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Apelles Skin Detox Shower Gel
 I may actually use this product because I need a new shower gel. This shower gel claims to cleanse and nourish your skin.

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Apelles Body Bar Vegetable Soap
A very interesting product. It is a "unisex" soap that has been designed to nourish and cleanse your skin. I am not a huge fan of soaps because they make my skin dry so not sure I will try this one.

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Tigi Rockaholic - Rock Out Shine Blaster
This is an interesting product. On the information sheet, it says that this product speeds up hair drying time and adds shine. It can also temporarily mask split ends. I will be intrigued as to what this product actually does for my hair!

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ModelCo Eyeliner - Black
I just purchased a new eyeliner so I won't be using this one for a while! I have heard good things about ModelCo though, and I love eyeliners with built in sharpeners because they are so convienient.

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Marc Jacobs: DOT Fragrance
I am pretty picky with my perfumes, but I do like this fragrance even though it is a floral scent.

So while I'm not thrilled about the contents of this box there are some products I am looking forward to trying! I would have expected something a little bit more exciting for their 1st birthday box!

- J x

12/08/2012

New Clothes Haul

As I mentioned in my last post, I have purchased a few new clothing items lately (not that I need anymore!) so I thought I would share them with you because I loves them!

First up are the clothes I bought before going away on my holiday. I wasn't having the best time at work, so I went to Marion for a little retail therapy and got these 3 tops for under $50! (that's for all of them) from Dotti.


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I wasn't totally sold on the colour of this top at first, but when I came home and tried it on with black jeans and heels I absolutely loved it (and the price! $10)


I was drawn to this top as soon as I got to the sale racks. The style and the pattern were so cute!

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This one was a little bit of a "hmm i'm not too sure what I think but it's only $20 so i'll get it anyway" kind of top. I love the pattern but the sleeves had me unsure - but I brought it home and tried it on with a few different items and loved it!


I purchased the following items while I was away.


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I love love love love love this dress. The top of it is absolutely gorgeous and fits me perfectly. The bottom is a high > low cut which I think is very flattering.


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I purchased this top from the same shop as the above dress (City Beach I think). As soon as I saw this top I knew I was going to buy it. It is such a pretty top from the way it fits up the top to the flowyness of the bottom.

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This dress is going tp be perfect for summertime! I cannot wait to wear it. I love the lace and the detailing at the end of the bow.

I also purchased a gorgeous floral skirt which I will post here once I get a photo of it!

And lastly, I purchased this jacket yesterday. I was drawn to the colour of it and when it scanned at $40 I couldn't resist.

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The sleeves do not go all the way down my arms which I think is cute and means I will be able to wear it during spring / summer!

No more shopping for me for a while!!

Promise.

- J x