Summer Favourites

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Hello Everyone,
I feel like so much has happened this year, especially in the last month or so. My sister got married, my town endured a Category 3 Cyclone and I met some new people. What 2017 has shown me so far is that life really is a roller coaster. I have had a lot of fun so far this year and I hope the fun can continue...

My Sister's wedding happened the day before we got told to evacuate our house for the cyclone (our house is in the red zone for tidal surge). It had been raining earlier in the week, but luckily the wedding venue was just far enough  out of town that it didn't get any rain and the weather on the day was perfect. I was the Maid of Honour and the hairdresser managed to pin my hair up  even though it is still so short. It was a long day and it was heaps of fun to get up and dance at the reception.

We actually stayed at my sister's place which is a bit further inland for the duration of the cyclone (and the crazy thunderstorm that followed) due to being told to evacuate. Luckily when we got home to assess the damage we learnt that there wasn't much of a surge due to the direction of the wind. Our house was fine, but my dad had damage to his shed and a lot of trees were down in our street. Some older buildings and shopfronts in town had a bit of damage and a lot of farm sheds and crops were wrecked.

We spent a few days without power and only had low pressure water in our taps, but the conditions were still livable and I was so grateful at how lucky we were. One of the first things I did when we regained power was plug in my electric guitar and have a play. While I did slum it for a couple of days without any fancy hair or make-up (or being able to iron my clothes!), I think the whole event has shown me how important it is to take advantage of every chance I get to dress up and go out and have fun.

I have finally started going out a bit more again. It is so great to catch up with some people that I haven't seen in a long time and to make new friends. While a lot of the people I have met seem to be passing through town, I think I will stay in contact with them a while and I will definitely remember the short time I spent with them.

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BEAUTY:

- I bought some Max Factor lipsticks on CatchOfTheDay.com and I really like them. They seem to stay really well without drying out your lips. I have two of the Marilyn Monroe ones ('Cabernet' and 'Sunset Red') and another in 'Scarlet Ghost'

- Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in 'Cozy' is a nice orangey red that doesn't look too bright.

- Avon Big and Daring Glimmersticks eye liner in 'Deep Plum' blends nicely with black pencil for a subtle fade.

- Loreal True Match Blush in 'Rosewood' is a nice everyday blush colour.

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HAIR:
- I have been experimenting with my hair a bit and I am very inspired by the 1940s. Here is a 1940s hair Facebook Album with some nice styles that I hope to achieve when my hair gets longer.

-  I have been using the Schwarzkopf Extra Care Dry Oil Mist as an alternative to Shine spray. It makes my hair look very shiny without losing the curl, but I have to watch it doesn't get on the floor or on my skin because it is very greasy.

- I have been loving the Lady Jayne contoured hair pins which have a matte finish to them. These are the best thing ever for holding tricky curls in place. I really like their fringe pins for holding my sponge rollers in place (to avoid getting the horrid sponge roller dent.

- I made my own setting lotion using Linseed Grain (flax seed) and water. I use 1 tablespoon of seed per cup of water and boil it on the stove until the water starts to colour and get that gelatinous look. I strain the seeds out and store it in the fridge for up to two weeks. You only need the tiniest bit to set your hair and it doesn't irritate my scalp like some other hair products do.

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STYLE:
- I am a little bit obsessed with the 1940s and this Pinterest Board proves it.

-  I also really like some of the old ballet/tap class photos (like the above one of Audrey Hepburn) because of the shorter fashions worn in that era.

- I am loving a pearl bracelet I bought from Ozsale that has bronze coloured freshwater pearls on it. It seems to go with everything.

- The weather is starting to cool down so I am loving wearing cardigans again. I tie them at the waist or belt them instead of buttoning them all the way down.

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MUSIC:

- 'Ultraviolet', 'The Real Thing' and 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' by U2

- 'How High The Moon' and 'Mr Sandman' by Les Paul and Mary Ford

- 'Crystalized' and 'On Hold' by The XX

- 'Can't Deny My Love', 'Only The Young' and 'The Way It's Always Been' by Brandon Flowers

- 'Love' by Lana Del Rey

- '60 Feet Tall' and 'So Far From Your Weapon' by The Dead Weather

I bought and discovered so much music over the holidays, so I won't put it all here. These ones are the most important songs though. 

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GUITAR:

My new guitar arrived after new years and I have been spending a lot of time playing it. I wouldn't say I'm even mediocre, but I enjoy strumming along so thats something. I have bought a couple of pedals that I am really impressed with. I love my Earthquaker Devices The Dunes overdrive, TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 Delay Pedal and Boss T2 Tremolo the most. I have learnt to play a couple of riffs, but I am still more of a rhythm player at this point. I also love my Ernie Ball guitar strap which is a Navy Colour. They make guitar straps in so many different colours and they are good quality.

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MOVIES:

- 'Top Hat' and 'Shall We Dance' starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.
- 'The Choice' based on a Nicholas Sparks Book.
- I finally saw 'Joy' and thought it was pretty good.
- I watched a documentary about guitar called 'It Might Get Loud' which features Jimmy Paige, The Edge (from U2) and Jack White. I'm obsessed with this doccumentary and I highly recommend it to anyone who is into music or a fan of any of those three musicians.

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OTHER:
- Somersby Pear Cider is my new favourite drink.
- Pressman's Apple Cider is also pretty good.
- The Sunsets are starting to get prettier as the weather cools down.
- I am stoked to hear that some of my favourite musos will be releasing new music this year!

I hope you have all had a lovely Summer (or maybe where you live it was winter). What have been some of your favourites?

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Spring Beauty Favourites

Hello Everyone,

Can you believe that it is 18 days into summer already and I have only just started to write my 'Spring Beauty Favourites' post just now? Christmas isn't too far away and I have most of the gifts lined up, but haven't wrapped any of them yet. I know I'm not the only one who puts off wrapping presents till the last minute... Nothing too exciting has happened lately. I'm still waiting for my new guitar too arrive. I haven't gone out as much as I would have liked to (except for karaoke). I finally figured out a bit  of a setting pattern for my hair (which is forever stuck in the "growing out stage"). And, I am finally trying a new alcoholic drink that isn't wine...

I've actually got quite a few new favourites this time around, which is a bit of a change.

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BEAUTY:
- After my local supermarket stopped selling my favourite facewash, my mum managed to find it on 'Catch of the Day' website. Garnier Pure Deep Clean Cream wash is one of those face washes that I didn't really take a whole lot of notice of, until I ran out and had to use something else. My skin was starting to get really bad again and I am so glad this face wash is back in my life.

-I tried the Palmolive Oil Infusions Body Lotion (the Avocado oil and jasmine one) and I really like it. It smells really good, is really nourishing and doesn't cause any bad reactions with my skin. It would be awesome if they made a body wash in this line too...

- I started using my Marc Jacobs Daisy Perfume (from the miniature set) again and I can't get enough of it.

- I love my new Besame Lipsticks in 'Blood Red' and 'Victory Red'. 'Victory Red' really stains your lips, so I highly recommend it if you are looking for a red that will last.

- I got a bunch of new things from Colourpop again. At the moment I really like 2 of the highlighters ('Flexitarian' and 'Might Be'), the brow pomade in 'Red Head' and the Ultra Satin Lip in 'Calypso'.

-I bought a Morphe Liner Brush on Ozsale and its the best liner brush I've tried so far. I highly recommend it.

HAIR:
- My favourite leave in conditioner is the Toni & Guy Prep Leave in Conditioner. It's not too greasy and it actually works. I own a few different leave in products and I always come back to this one.

-I always put Tresemme Wave Creating Sea Foam in my hair before curling it (wet set curls or with using hot tools). It doesn't irritate my scalp like some styling products do and it doesn't make my hair too wild.

- I usually use the pink 'Volume' one of these, but I've decided I really like the purple 'Satin' version of the Loreal Elnett Hairspray. Mostly because you can brush it out.

-I really like my Conair Sponge Rollers, Diane Pin Curl Clips and my Breville Curling Iron which have all been getting a work out now that my hair is getting a little longer. My hair naturally has a bit of a wave to it, but in my current hair style it tends to stick out a bit and look a bit fluffy so I like to curl my hair downwards and style it a bit like Scarlett Johanson in This Picture. My hair isn't as long as hers and it doesn't look quite the same.

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STYLE:
- I have been trying to keep it simple, because it is hot and I'm usually strapped for time. I have a couple of basic outfits that I just wore over and over.

- I also made a Pintrest Board...

MUSIC:
-The Album 'The Getaway' by Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I really like 'The Getaway', 'Go Robot', 'The Longest Wave' and 'Goodbye Angel'.

- 'Burn the Witch', 'There There', 'The Let Down' and 'My Iron Lung' by Radiohead

-'Follow the Boys' by Connie Francis

-'Running to Stand Still', 'If God Will Send His Angels', 'Staring at the Sun', 'Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out of' and 'Desire' by U2

-'Stay' by Rihanna

-'Dancing on My Own' Cover by Calum Scott

-'Road To Nowhere'  and 'Psycho Killer' by Talking Heads

-'Lovely To Look At' by Eddy Duchin

-'Love is a Blindness' and 'Love Interruption' by Jack White

-'The Breaks' and 'Run Me Down' by The Black Keys

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MOVIES:

-I rewatched 'Aloha' which I think is an awesome movie.
-I really enjoyed 'Hello My Name is Doris'
-I thought 'Roberta' was a lovely movie.

OTHER:
- I started going walking again which has been really nice. I got stopped by the rain for a while, but I will start going again as soon as I get a chance.

-I bought 'The Fashion File' by Janie Bryant on Ozsale for a ridiculously cheap price and I love it. The illustrations are so cool and the book has a lot of classic style advice. This is also a great read for 'Mad Men' fans.

DISLIKES:
-My only real dislikes  were these Freestyle Bendy Rollers I tried which don't really stay put in your hair and can snag on your hair.

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I hope you are having a wonderful summer/winter and that you are as excited about the holidays as I am. I am especially looking forward to new years. I am hoping to get a few more blog posts in before the year is over. So no this isn't the last you will hear from me in 2016.

What are your current beauty favourites?

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Winter Beauty Favourites

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Hi Everyone, 

Well winter is over already. I can't believe how quickly it went. Winter didn't get very cold at all and I managed to get through it without buying any new knitwear or jeans. I feel like this was the most eventful part of 2016 yet. It rained a little bit (which is not the usual weather for this season) and I went out a fair few times. I also turned 23, which is something that wouldn't be included in this post if I had of written it on time...

I had a pretty good birthday and I celebrated a few other peoples birthdays too. 

 I feel like I've changed a bit this year and my attitude towards going out has changed (the kind of time you have really depends on where you are and what kind of people you are with). I've had a lot of fun nights and I've made some new friends that I otherwise might not have met. I went to Karaoke at one of the local pubs whenever it was on and it is the most fun I've ever had.

I also decided to spend a little bit more time on some of my hobbies such as guitar. I ordered a new guitar and promised myself I would make more of an effort to learn guitar if I spent more money on it. My guitar hasn't arrived yet, but all the other bits and pieces (pedals, amp, case etc) are here.

I hope you have all enjoyed your winter (or summer if you are from the Northern Hemisphere) and that there is something in this list of favourites that is helpful or entertaining to you in any way. I have decided to include some favourite links to cool videos etc as well. Please note, because this post is late, some of the favourites are very recent early spring discoveries rather than favourites.

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BEAUTY:

- I bought two new lipsticks this winter and I have been wearing them a lot. Revlon Superloustrous in 'Ravish Me Red' is an orangey red, and Loreal Color Riche in 'Carmin St Germain' is a pinky red. They are both very creamy and perfect for this sort of weather.

- I really like the Australis Eyeshadow Primer it isn't completely crease proof, but I think it does an alright job.

- I am in love with the NYX Pin-up Tease Mascara. At first I thought the name was a bit gimmicky, but it really is the nicest mascara I have ever tried. And it is water proof too. 

- I recently got a bottle of the Taylor Swift 'Incredible Things' Perfume and I have been wearing it every day.

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STYLE:

- Since I am trying to grow my hair, I have started wearing hair flowers more often. I managed to get some nice ones on sale from ASOS.

- I have really gotten into wearing short shirt-dresses (button up dresses with collars). I really like the way they look with a cardigan and ballet flats. I think they are fun and comfortable, but they are also respectable enough to wear to work.

-I didn't manage to buy any new pairs of jeans  this winter, so I spent most of the colder days (luckily it doesn't get too cold here) with stockings or footless tights on under my dress/skirt. 

-I have been getting a lot of wear out of a black round neck cardigan I bought from Target. I love the 1960s look you get from buttoning the first button on a round neck cardigan.

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MUSIC:

- 'DNA' by The Kills

- 'Impossible Tracks' by The Kills

- 'Dark Necessities' by Red Hot Chilli Peppers

- 'There Goes That Song Again' by Roy Orbison

- 'One' by U2

- 'Only One' by Sarah Blasko

- 'Nothings Gonna Hurt You Baby' by Cigarettes After Sex

MOVIES:

- Pal Joey

- An Affair To Remember

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YOUTUBE FAVOURITES:

- Premier Guitar Rig Rundown with Jamie Hince from The Kills

The Kills is one of my favourite bands, so I was pretty stoked to find this video of Jamie Hince talking about his guitar collection. 

- 'Blue Monday' New Order cover by Orkestra Obsolete

Some musicians cover 'Blue Monday' using musical instruments that would have been available in the 1930s, plus a few "alternative" musical instruments (such as wine glasses or playing a saw) I think it is the most inventive cover I have ever seen.

- The Pinup Companion - Pin Curl Tutorial

One of the most honestly done Pin Curl tutorials I have seen. 

- Marilyn Monroe Iconic Make-up Look with Lisa Eldridge

I think this video was intended for people who want to dress up as Marilyn for a costume party, however I think some aspects of this make-up look could be used everyday if you wanted. I have adopted the under-eye line that she does to fake a "shadow" from the eyelashes.

- 'Cheap Thrills' Sia (Lyric Video) 

It says "Lyric Video" but this is actually like a second music video. I think the concept for this clip is awesome.

- 'Don't Know Why' Norah Jones Guitar Cover By Hooni Jeon 

This is a really lovely cover.

- The Edge and echo from 'The Story of Guitar' part 3 

This is a short video of the famous Guitarist The Edge (from the Band U2) playing the intro to 'Where The Streets Have No Name' and talking about the use of a delay pedal in the song.

OTHER:

- I really love the sound of the "Slap" setting on my new TC Electronics Flashback Delay Pedal. (guitar effects pedal)

- I am in love with my new Joyo Ironman 'Space Verb' Reverb Pedal. (guitar effects pedal).

- My parents bought me some Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers movies which I am really looking forward to watching.

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I'm looking forward to the warmer spring weather and getting to wear some of my patterned skirts again. I'm also looking forward to getting my new guitar (hopefully it is suitable for what I want) and some other online purchases. My travelling friends might be coming back this way in a month or so and it should be good to catch up with them. 

What are your beauty favourites this season?

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Autumn Favourites

Hi Everyone,
I can't believe it is June already! We didn't really have much of an Autumn in this town. The skies started to get prettier in the afternoons than usual and the sun took longer to come out in the morning, but other than that, it has been pretty summery through most of the season. I would say that the season has been very up and down for me personally. I had some pretty low moments, but I also had a couple of really good moments. I feel like I don't want to jinx anything, but maybe things are getting a lot better.

I had a really awesome time at our local Rock n' roll dance (Sorry there won't be an outfit post this year, but I might do a 50s playlist in honor of the event instead), I became an Aunty (which was really exciting), And, I made a new friend (which is a big deal for me). I hope the weather wherever you are has been kind to you. Here are my seasonal favourites for Autumn:

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BEAUTY:

-I like both the lip colours from the Colourpop Alchemy range by Jaime King. 'Polite Society' is an awesome pink colour that is not too bright and not too pale. I adore 'JuJu Rouge' which is quite similar to the 90s Grunge collection lippiestix in 'Dazed', but a little brighter.

-I love using the Colourpop Lip pencil in 'Aquarius' as an alternative to nude lip liner.

-I tried out some new brow products and I really like them. I've been using Colourpop Brow Colour in 'Black n' Brown' or Ardell's Brow Pomade in the same shade. 

-I tried out the Nivea Mens Sensitive After Shave Balm as a make-up primer (the one that NikkieTutorials on Youtube raves about) and it is actually pretty decent.

-I have been loving Loreal Elnett hair spray (the volume one) for fixing my hair into place. I'm trying to grow it a little bit ,so its in a weird phase that requires a few miniature bobby pins and strong hair spray.

STYLE:

-I have been loving my Cotton On Shoes. If you are in Australia and you are looking for some affordable and vintage appropriate flats, Cotton On has an awesome range.

-I recently bought a pair of Metal Sunglasses (Kind of like Aviators, but with the horn rim on the top) and I'm obsessed with them. 

-I feel like I've been taking more risks with my wardrobe, by buying things that are a little more fitted and wearing things I have never worn before. 

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MUSIC:

- 'One' by Johnny Cash (U2 Cover)

- 'Life Fades Away' by Roy Orbison 

- 'Power' by Kanye West

- 'I Wanna Be Your Man' by Sarah Blasko

- 'Empty' by Garbage

MOVIES:

-Inventing the Abbots

-Beastly

-The Wedding Singer

OTHER:

-I have been trying different wines out and I think McWilliams Fruitwood Red is a favourite. It is cheap, it is not too dry and not too sweet. 

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Please Note: I do not own any of these images. If you would like to see the original image source, please click on the "*" underneath the picture.

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Summer Favourites

Hi There,

So it is technically the second month of Autumn right now, but as you already may know, a small computer break-down prevented me from writing this post sooner. I have my work holidays over most of the Summer. I spent most of the holidays at home in the air-conditioning or out walking at the park. I watched a lot of movies and I read a couple of books. I also mucked about with some new beauty purchases.

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BEAUTY FAVOURITES:

-I have really enjoyed wearing Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in the shades 'Tulle', 'Avenue' and 'Trap'

-I wore Colourpop Lippie Stix in 'Silk' and 'Nevermind' quite a bit also.

-I tried out the Colourpop Gel Creme Liners and really liked 'No Shame' and the pencil in 'Cry Baby'

-I fell in love with the Maybelline Hypersharp Wing Eyeliner pen and have actually started using it more often than I use the Master Precise Eyeliner I usually rave about. 

-I switched to the Rimmel Wonder'full Mascara (Water Proof Version) which I don't like as much as their other one, but it doesn't smudge as easily in the heat.

-I started using the Designer Brands Finishing Illuminator which is okay. 

HAIR FAVOURITES:

-I started pinning my hair when it gets longer around the sides and front. So I have been using Loreal Elnett hair-spray again.

-I have been dying my hair a Violet colour and letting it fade out to more of a red colour. 

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BODYCARE/SKINCARE:

-I switched to Palmolive Honey and Milk Bodywash, because it seems to be the only thing that doesn't really irritate my skin, when it is playing up.

-Another sensitive skin find was a Amele Shave Gel which doesn't make me want to scratch off my legs after I shave them.

-I have mostly been using a Revlon Perfume called Charlie Red. I don't know why I love it so much...

FASHION FAVOURITES:

-I've been wearing lots of simple outfits with a t-shirt top and high waisted bottoms. 

-I bought some strappy sun-dresses and have been wearing them a lot.

-Wearing a lot of Black because it goes with everything.

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MUSIC FAVOURITES:

- 'Get Lucky' by Daft Punk 

- 'Short Skirt Long Jacket' by Cake

- 'Telephone' by Lady Gaga

- 'Ain't that a Shame' by Fats Domino

- 'Blackest Day' by Lana Del Rey

- 'What I'm Looking For' by U2

- 'Fade Into You' by Mazzy Star

- 'Ask Me Anything' by The Strokes

- 'Tenth Avenue Freeze Out' by Bruce Springsteen

MOVIES:

I watched so many! 

My favourite was probably 'Miss Meadows' which I have seen three times already.

BOOKS:

I have got a couple of book reviews coming soon. 

As I keep saying I've got a lot of posts to catch up on. It probably won't be long and I will be sharing my Autumn Favourites!

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Spring Beauty Favourites

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Spring is nearly over and there is only one month till Christmas Day! I cannot believe how quickly the year has gone and I'm feeling a little guilty about the lack of blog posts that have been popping up here in the last three months. I would use the excuse that I have been trying to be more social, but even with the added outings and phone calls I still had plenty of time to write for you guys. Sorry.

The weather is warming up pretty quickly, but at the start of Spring it was still pretty chilly (well for me anyway). We had a few showers of rain too which was nice. I've been spending a lot more time outside than usual and I'm starting to get a ballet-flat-tan-line. I've been walking along the park/beach most weekends and I even wore my swimsuit once. I also went to the pub a couple of times with a friend (was a friend) which is different for me. It's not really my scene and I doubt I will be going there again in the future, though I did have fun there.

I've done a bit more thrifting than usual and I've been waking up a little earlier and getting things done on the weekends. I wouldn't say I've read many books or watched many movies though. I have been focusing so much on the upcoming holidays and organizing gifts etc. There is a possibility of me joining a local art group and maybe participating in some other things, but I'm not going to get my hopes up, because getting even the slightest bit excited about anything seems to result in extra obstacles.

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SKINCARE:

• I started using a Konjac sponge for cleansing my face and it seems to help my skin a lot. I would highly recommend one to anyone, but advise that it is used gently as it can make skin more sensitive if you "scrub" intensely with it.

• Nivea Naturals Day Cream (for Normal/Combination skin) is really good. It works well under foundation and you only have to use the smallest bit.

• Avon Royal Jelly Body Lotion is really good for calming down my skin when it is super sensitive.

MAKE-UP:

• I really like the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer and I have it in two shades. The Shade 'Fair' is super light and is great for highlighting/brightening under the eyes, and 'Light' is a good match for my skin tone. I use 'Light' to cover up blemishes. 

• I have been wearing the Colourpop Supershock Highlighter in 'Butterfly Beach' as a blush. I also really like the Sleek Blush in 'Rose Gold'. Both of these options save time because they are a bit of a blush/highlight in one.

• I have been using the Colourpop Supershock EyeShadow in 'Partridge', 'Mixed Tape' and 'I Spy' quite a bit. Two Eyeshadow Palette's that I have been using a lot are the Sleek Enchanted Forest Palette and the MUA Undressed Palette. I also used a bronze shadow from the Sleek Oh So Special Palette quite a fair bit. I think I wore that bronze shadow just about every-day for a week, which is a long time for me to commit to one shadow. 

• I tried out the Rimmel Wake Me Up Mascara and found that while it isn't waterproof (which leaves me with black smudges under my eyes thanks to the heat) it doesn't irritate my eyes as much as anything else I have tried. 

• I wore the Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in 'Beeper' and 'Tulle' quite a bit. Both shades are quite dark on me. I also really enjoyed the Colourpop Lippie Stix in 'Dazed' and I rediscovered an old favourite Limecrime Lipstick in 'Retro Futurist'

• I tried out the Maybelline Brow Drama Mascara in 'Clear' and I think it is a lot better than most I have tried because the comb is really good. 

• I really like the Real Techniques Eyeshadow Brush Set and have been using the eyeliner brush from it to apply my gel eyeliner. 

HAIR:

• I dyed my hair a purply brown colour at the start of Spring and it faded due to the shampoo I was using and the amount of sun I've been exposed to. It is now a reddy brown with ashy brown regrowth and a whole bunch of sun-streaks. I kind of like it (except the regrowth part) so I didn't dye it again. I might put a temporary colour in it soon though...

• I have been using the Schwarzkopf Extra Care BB Hair Beautifier  in conjunction with the other hair products I already use. I think it makes my hair softer. 

STYLE/FASHION:

• I've been wearing shorts a bit lately, because you don't have to worry about them blowing up in the breeze when you go outside. 

• I have also been wearing some of my cute cartoon T-shirts a bit  and I've pulled out my sundresses a couple of times. 

• I haven't really been putting too much effort in because of the heat and because I didn't want to seem like I was putting in effort, so my whole style philosophy has literally been to pair everything with cat-eye glasses, pointy ballet flats, bright/dark lipstick and my frame bag, And hope that was enough to look classy.

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MUSIC:

Here are some songs I've really been enjoying:

• 'We'll Meet Again' by She & Him (Cover of Vera Lynn)

• 'Teach Me Tonight' by She & Him (Dinah Washington cover)

• 'Happy' by Marina and The Diamonds

• 'Am I Ever Going To See Your Face Again' by The Angels

• 'First Comes The Night' by Chris Isaak

• 'What Am I To You?' by Norah Jones

• 'Dani California' by Red Hot Chili Peppers

• 'What You Need' by INXS

• 'Battle Born' by The Killers

• 'Heart's Content' by Brandi Carlile

BOOKS/MOVIES:

• I saw 'The Dressmaker' in cinema with Mum and I really enjoyed it. I wouldn't watch it again though.

• I watched 'The Best of Me' which I was really looking forward to. I was kind of disappointed by it.

• I watched 'Delicacy' which is a french movie starring Audrey Tautou and I really enjoyed it.

• I also finally saw 'Con Air' and 'Miss Congeniality' which I enjoyed. I know you all probably can't believe that I hadn't seen those movies until now...

• I read 'First Frost' by Sarah Addison Allen which I thought was amazing and I will review it at some point for you all.

LIFE:

• I have been walking a lot at the beach/park and am spending more time enjoying my surroundings and appreciating them. 

• I have been learning more about my MBTI personality type which I think is really interesting. It makes me feel like less of a freak to know that the things I do are actually pretty normal for people with the same personality type as me.

• I faced a few small fears. Nothing major, And I still have a ridiculous amount of fears, but baby steps...

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I am looking forward to Christmas and I hope it is a lot more positive and exciting than last year! I really enjoy this time of year as I get a lengthy holiday from work and I can escape the summer heat all day by hiding out in the air-conned lounge room with a good book or movie. I am also looking forward to trying out some "out-there" make-up looks which would not be appropriate for the workplace. 

If you would like to follow the image source for the photo click on the "❀" symbol. 

Did you discover any new favourites this season?

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Winter Beauty Favourites

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I'm half way through the last month of winter and I can't see myself deciding on any more beauty favourites before September so I thought I would just share these with you now. I'm not a big fan of winter and I felt like some of these favourites made the season a little more bearable and lightened my mood a bit. Even though some of these beauty favourites are very winter oriented, some aren't specific to any season and I hope there's something useful or interesting in this Favourites post for you regardless of where you live or what season you live in. 

I spent most of my spare time on the couch during winter. I have been watching TV, online shopping, drinking copious amounts of hot chocolate and hanging out with pets. I haven't really accomplished anything else. I can't believe it's nearly September and my end-of-year goals are looking a little neglected. I have also managed to get a bit of a sniffle, not really a cold, just the effects of cold weather and allergies. Things flower here in winter. I live in North Queensland, so it doesn't get any where near as cold as a lot of other places during winter. I have never seen snow or frost, and I consider anything under 20 degrees celsius to be too cold. 

I didn't really do anything too exciting over the course of winter. I went to the Superboats again, I discovered a new make-up brand I liked. I honestly can't think of much else. I watched a lot of Youtube. I had pajama days... It would be an understatement to say that I'm looking forward to warmer weather...

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SKINCARE:

• My skin has been disgusting this winter. My hands cracked open a few times regardless of how much cream I put on them and my acne reached a whole new level. So I'm not sure if there is too much I can really recommend here. I don't know if it was so much the products I was using, as it was the change in whether, unhealthy habbits (eating/sleeping/water drinking) and stress that affected my skin. My face seemed to completely change and while I had a lot of blemishes, my skin was 100 times more sensitive and I had dry patches starting. Products that worked previously for me were too harsh, so I had to go buy gentler stuff which didn't seem to do much about the blemishes. 

• One thing that I noticed worked for me was the TheBodyShop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel which didn't affect my sensitive skin and worked wonders around the nose and on other dry partches. A trick I learned from a Make-up Video  by Shaaanxo on Youtube. 

• I ended up re-purchasing the Garnier BB Cream Sensitive in Light/Clair which is still one of my favourites after trying so many. I have noticed it's a little bit on the pink side though, which is a shame considering my skin naturally quite sallow. 

MAKE-UP:

• I have really been enjoying using the Models Prefer Argan Concealer in 'Light' for underneath my eyes. It is so creamy and brightening. 

• I got a Benefit They're Real Mascara sample with a magazine and I think it's pretty good. I don't think I will ever by the full size though. The price is a bit too high for my wallet. 

• I rediscovered the Besame Violet Powder which I have used to set my face a few times this month. The only downfall is that I think this actually makes my under eye area look ashy, so I have to use something else to set my under-eye concealer. I really want to try the Vanilla version, because even though it's recommended for 'Light-Medium' skin (and my skin is Light), it seems like it would be better for me because I've got yellow undertones. 

• When my lips haven't been super dry and gross I have really enjoyed wearing the Besame Lipsticks. I think I wore the two shades 'American Beauty' and 'Red Hot Red' the most, but I did wear all of the shades at some stage. 'Red Hot Red' is probably my absolute current favourite. It's so vibrant and flattering.

• I discovered Colourpop Highlighters this winter and I bought quite a few of them. My absolute favourites at the moment are 'Hippo', 'Teasecake' and 'Wisp'. I have another Colourpop order coming in the mail soon and I hope to do a post about all of them with mini-reviews and swatches. 

• I have been using a lot of single eyeshadows lately. The ones that get the most use are Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eye Shadow in 'Bella Ivory' (I use this for my brow-bone), 'Bella Cafe' (Transition shade) and 'Bella Taupe' (Crease Shade). I also really like the Essence I heart baked nude shadow in '05 My Favourite Tauping' as a transition shade. I have been using Colourpop Supershock Eyeshadows in 'Play' (My absolute favourite shade, which I use for lid or crease colour), 'High Tide' (Inner corner shade) and  'Bill' (A Mauve-y Mid-tone Brown which looks absolutely stunning with 'Plunge' worn over the top. My favourite combo). Finally, the Chichi Baked Eyeshadow in 'Living on a Prayer' is a great dark taupe for the crease. 

• I also have some brushes favourites to share. I recently bought the Ecotools 6 Piece Essential Eye Brush Set and I am obsessed with the two larger brushes, which work great for blending the Colourpop shadows (though a finger is your best tool if you want good colour payoff). I really enjoy the Crush Cosmetics Precision Angled Brush for highlighting, setting my under eye area and for detailed contouring if I feel like it. The Crush cosmetics 217 brush is great for using darker colours in the crease. I also recently discovered the ChiChi Make-up Blending Sponge which is supposed to be a dupe for the Beauty Blender (which I have not tried. I like how affordable these sponges are. I don't really like it for foundation, but it's good for blending out concealer over blemishes. 

HAIR:

• I still haven't really found a shampoo that I really like and I'm waiting for one I ordered from Avon. I have mostly been using the Organix Coconut Water Shampoo & Conditioner. Which can feel a little bit "heavy" sometimes. I think it would suit someone with long frizzy hair better than someone with short hair. 

• I really like the TheBodyShop Brazil Nut Define & No Frizz which I put on damp hair before I comb and style it. I also use a little bit of the Toni&Guy Creative Stick it Up Gum sometimes to mess it up if I feel like it. I use these with some other products that I have mentioned in previous favourites posts.

FASHION/STYLE:

• Unfortunately I entered winter with the misconception that all my winter clothes still fit me and they didn't. I was so grateful that my Target Hot Options Cord Jeggings still did because I love them. 
• I am obsessed with a peach coloured Mix Apparel Cardigan I got. It's a bit thicker than my other cardigans and I think it looks so cute. I have it in other colours, but the peach one got the most wear. 

MUSIC:

This is a pretty random combination of songs that I have been enjoying. I bought a lot of them of itunes. 

• 'Higher' by Creed
•  'I'm Not in Love' by Fun Lovin' Criminals (Cover of 10cc)
•  'The Other Side of Love' Jack Savoretti
•  'Another Way to Die' Jack White and Alicia Keys
•  'Unchained (The Payback/Untouchable) by James Brown and 2Pac
•  '2 Hearts' Kylie Minogue
•  'We Can't Be Friends' Lorene Scarfia
•  'Run On' Moby
•  'Temptation' by New Order
•  'Blue Orchid' The White Stripes
•  'Love Never Felt So Good' Michael Jackson (Demo Version)
•  'Cinema' Benny Benassi
•  'She' She and Him (Cover of Charles Aznavour)

OTHER:

• I have been watching a lot of TV lately. So You Think You Can Dance (America) is on at the moment and I am obsessed with it. Especially the Stage Routines. I am a Team Stage girl, though I must admit JaJa is pretty damn cool too. I also recently started watching The Mysteries of Laura which features Debra Messing. Unfortunately the Australian TV channels are messing the times up on me. Do you here me TV channel people? Please don't do this to your viewers. Also if you live in America, please don't share spoilers with me. Aussie TV is always behind. I've also been indulging in a bit of The Voice AU and I've been re-watching Gilmore Girls on DVD. 

• I have really been enjoying watching Youtube. At the Moment my Favourites are LipglossLeslie, Post Modern Duke Box (especially when Sarah Reich is Tap dancing), Pixiwoo, KathleenLights, and VintageorTacky. Most of these are beauty gurus, except for the Post Modern Duke Box which does old school covers of modern-ish tunes. 

• Tomato tart. It's simple to make and it tastes good, and I've lost track of how many times I have made it over the winter. It's just a sheet of puff pastry with garlic butter, sliced tomato and grated cheese. One sheet is a "snack" for three people. Half a sheet is a meal for one. I'm also obsessed with ABE'S Bagel Bites in 'Pizza' flavour. YUM!

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I hope you are all enjoying (or at least tolerating) your Winter (or Summer) weather. What are your favourite things at the moment?

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Autumn Favourites: Beauty/Style/Music

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I thought it might be time to write a post about my seasonal favourites. It's not quite the end of Autumn yet, however I usually write these things when there are a few weeks of the season to go. A lot of these favourites are products that I've only started using recently. I went to an Agriculture Trade Show for work and I bought some beauty products to travel with, that I really enjoyed. 

I've also done a fair bit of Itunes and CD shopping. This is mostly because of getting back into dancing and experimenting with different music. I have also re-discovered some old favourites. So I have a fair few music favourites for Autumn. 

Like I said in another recent post; it has only just started to cool down, so the kinds of products I have been using have changed a lot over the last couple of weeks. This might not be the most informative favourites for that reason. I've been a little busy with different things and I'm hoping to catch up on some blogging soon, but until then I hope this is enough. Feel free to let me know your favourite things in the comments.

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SKINCARE:

• My face isn't exactly looking great at the moment. I've got a fair bit of acne and I think it's due to a combination of a few things which include not drinking enough water. I've tried a bunch of different beauty products, And, I have no idea if some of them are working because of how new they are. I will let you know the names anyway though. I started using the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel on my face. My skin is covered in blemishes, but it's also kind of sensitive and dry... And, I thought I would try out the whole theory about how your skin creates oil because it's dry... It soaks in your skin, so it actually feels like you have nothing on and it makes your skin real soft. I still like the feeling of having something on my skin though, so I use another moisturizer on top. At night that other moisturiser is the Good Things Manuka Honey Daily Moisturiser. 

• I have been using the Garnier Pure Deep Pore Wash . I don't know if it works that good, but I like that it foams up. I've tried mixing in tea-tree oil with it like I used to with my Neutrogena stuff, but it doesn't foam up as much if you do that. 

• I have also been using the St Ives Smooth + Hydrated Oatmeal Scrub. It makes my skin feel super soft afterwards and it's not really harsh on my skin like some scrubs are. 

• I have been using the Avon Naturals Blueberry and Orchid Body Wash which smells amazing and makes my skin feel clean without irritating it. 

• I have really been loving the Avon Skin So Soft Signature Silk Body Lotion which has macadamia oil in it. It is really nice especially now that the weather is cooling down. 

• Before my Avon order came I was using the Derma Sukin Body Lotion and Body Wash. I really liked these items, but I think they are probably better in summery weather.

• I recently tried the Natio Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF 50+ which I think worked pretty well. Admittedly I didn't go out in the sun heaps when I wore it, but it doesn't feel super gross on my skin and I didn't seem to be affected by the sunlight much at all. 

HAIR:

• I started using the Schwarzkopf Extra Care Ultimate Keratin Styling Mouse recently. I really like how I could brush it out or wash it out without my hair feeling damaged or gross. I have pretty dark hair and I didn't have a whole lot of build up when I brushed it out which I thought was amazing. I don't think I will use this all the time as it is a little stiffer and heavier than the kind of hair product I like to use, but it is always good to have something like this for a day out or a night out. 

• Not the last time I died my hair, but the time before that, I used a Garnier OLIA hair dye. I really like the conditioner that comes with it as it is so rich. I have only just finished using it, so it's a pretty decent size to get with a hair dye!

MAKEUP:

• I've been loving the Revlon Superlustrous Lipstick in 'Rum Raisin'. It is a beautiful warm mid-toned brown colour. I think it's very flattering and it's a nice alternative to a cool toned Kylie Jenner type colour. 

• I also really like the NYX Creamy Round Lipstick in 'Snow White' because it is the perfect maroon colour. Almost a dupe for Limecrime's 'Glamour 101'.

• I have been wearing the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in 'Pink Truffle' quite a bit. I love the nude colour and how conditioning it is.

• I am also really impressed with the Avon Totally Kissable Lipstick in 'Mauve Allure' which is a really flattering mauve colour. It has SPF in it, but it doesn't taste yuck like some lipstick with SPF do. And, it actually does feel like it protects your lips.

• I have been using the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'Bad to the Bronze' a lot lately. It's a cream base, but I still like to put a primer underneath because I have oily eyelids. It's a build-able medium bronze shade that you can wear with a lot of different looks. It's the kind of colour that can be worn by itself or used underneath darker shadows.

• I recently tried out the Maybelline Mineral Foundation which I was really surprised by. It is a little drying and possibly a little darker than I would like, but it is good for daytime if you just want to blur some imperfections and warm up your skin. 

• I re-discovered the Calvin Klein Velvet Blush in 'Flush with Desire' which I have had forever. My aunty gave my sister and I Calvin Klein gift sets one birthday or Christmas or something, And the blush in my set was a really flattering pink colour. One of those colours that suits most looks and probably most skin-tones. 

FASHION/STYLE:

• I managed to get some Target Velvet Touch 40D Footless Tights on clearance because of a change in packaging. I forgot how much I liked these kind of tights. 

• I am really liking medium-long skirts at the moment. They are perfect for this weather. 

• I recently bought three pairs of Ballet Flats from Target that have padded soles. They were super comfy and affordable.

• I also really like the Target Spa Aloe Vera Singlets they are the perfect length and they last ages. 

MUSIC:

• I have been loving this Aussie band called The Preatures at the moment. My favourite songs so far are 'Cruel', 'Take a Card', 'Somebody's Talking' and 'Is This How You Feel?'

• Red Hot Chilli Peppers 'Can't Stop', 'Dani California', 'Zephyr' and 'Factory of Faith' have been getting a lot of playtime in my car lately. 

• Yeah Yeah Yeah's 'Sacriledge' and 'Softshock

• 'Never Fade' Jack Johnson
• 'Bang Bang' by Will.i.am.
• 'Fool' Joe Brooks

• I found my old jazz cafe cd. I really like 'Take Five' by Quincy Jones and 'My Baby Just Cares For Me' by Mel Torme.

• 'Black and Gold' (Acoustic Version) by Sam Sparrow
• 'Treasure' by Bruno Mars and 'Uptown Funk' by Mark Ronson (Feat Bruno Mars)

OTHER:

• I am also really loving my retro beauty cases which came in handy for a recent trip. You might have seen these on facebook recently.

• Music videos: whoever came up with the idea to make video footage to match music is really cool. You have to admit it is a kind of random idea. I could watch music videos forever. I think they are kind of comforting. 

• I really like this nail colour I wore last week. It was 'Vacation Time' by Sinful Colors  and it was a brown/pink kind of colour. I have really been enjoying brown/grey type colours lately. I find them strangely flattering. 

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I feel like I've gone back to basics and that most of my favourites are things that are really "simple" and useful or things that I used to love a long time ago, that I just remembered. Such as the Jazz cafe CD that I got from a $2 store when I was in primary school. I think I would really like to listen to more jazz music. 

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie