Friday 31 March 2017

FFS Friday - On Saturday

I'm late, I'm late, for a very important FFS Friday date. A day late in fact, so happy FFS Saturday to you all. 

You know how I said it felt nice being a one car family? It didn't last long. 

Friday Tiger bought a new car. He'd done a lot of research so bought the first car he looked at. Despite that we were at the car yard for three and a half hours. Not fun. Not fun at all.

I'd planned on getting him to do a whole pile of things around the house that I can't do myself, but it didn't work out like that.

We had something on every day that he was home and spent most days out of the house running errands.

Oh well. I'll get the stuff done around the house sometime in the next ten years. Or maybe I won't and it'll all get done in a rush when we are getting ready to sell the house.


This week I just haven't wanted to adult. Wouldn't it be great if on days like that you could get a substitute to stand in for you? 
"Sorry everyone, Glossy doesn't want to adult today so I'm standing in for her."
Nice. I could get used to that. 

Thursday I had my gym appraisal. I'm not sure I can muster up the energy to drag myself to the gym. My motivation has run away.  

Our last visit to the psych revealed that Chai may have sensory issues. I've been reading up on them and it sounds very accurate. I met with the school and they also agreed that he appears to have sensory issues. They've given me a referral to an OT and now I wait. 

Meanwhile Chai's issues are escalating and I'm seriously wondering how I am going to cope. His behaviour is getting worse and worse and no-one can tell me how to deal with it. I'm just quietly going crazy.

Not only are his anxiety signs escalating, he's also started randomly hitting us. He'll just walk past and whack us for no reason at all, without realising he's done it. I'm really hoping that he doesn't do this at school. 

Tiger doesn't cope with it, he gets angry so I have to manage him as well as manage myself and the kids. I feel like I'm the only one dealing with it and I'm exhausted. I just want everything to be better but I doubt that there will be an instant cure. 

Tiger thinks that the solution to Chai's issues is to be firm and discipline him. His idea of discipline is smacking. Being firm when Chai's having a meltdown doesn't work. Smacking him for something he can't help doing also doesn't work.     

I understand why Tiger is angry, I'm angry and frustrated too but it's not Chai's fault. He didn't choose to have anxiety or sensory issues, it's not something he has control over. Punishing him for things he can't control is just not right.

I've mentioned before that Tiger has the amazing ability to whinge about absolutely everything. If whinging was an Olympic sport he'd win the gold medal. Yesterday was family day at Chai's school. Tiger whinged so much that I got a beautiful message of support from one of the school Mums because he'd lead her to believe that our marriage is in trouble. It's not. 

We communicate well and discuss our issues regularly, we're just going through a tough time with Chai. We've talked about it, we agree it's tough, we agree that we're doing the best that we can and we acknowledge that it'll get better in time. Easy. But still he whinges.   

But you know what? It's all first world issues. Once again it's shown me that I have a beautiful group of supportive women around me and I love that so much. I found out that another school Mum is having the same sensory issues with her boy so we're getting together for a coffee this week. My friends and I had a good laugh about Tiger's whinging and I am so appreciative of the beautiful, non judgemental friends I have. Life is good. 

Tuesday 28 March 2017

Top Three Tuesday - Products that give instant results

Skin care is all about the long term, it takes a while to see results. I'm an impatient person, I like to see results straight away. Today I'm showing you three products that give instant gratification.

The Wrinkles Schminkles products are amazing. I use their chest pad overnight and wake up in the morning with a smooth, line free chest, it's amazing. I was expecting it to take a few weeks to show results but it doesn't, it works overnight and the results last for a few days. To prolong the life of my chest pad I use it every second night and I now have a permanently line free chest. 

The forehead and eye kit isn't quite as amazing, probably because the lines I have in these areas have been there longer and are more entrenched, but still, when I use the pads overnight my forehead and eyes look noticeably better. I use the eye patches every night and am steadily seeing a reduction in the depth of my smile lines. I purchase my Wrinkles Schminkles products from Adore Beauty. Both kits cost $39.95 each.

My last instant result product is Thalgo's Hyaluronic Eye-Patch Masks. These are super easy to use, I only need to have them on for ten minutes to see a noticeable improvement in my fine lines and dark circles. I like to use these in the mornings before I put on my makeup. I put them on whilst I'm doing my teeth and hair, then remove them, put on my skincare and makeup. On days that I use the masks my concealer goes on better and doesn't crease as much. 
You can purchase the Eye-Patch Masks from Facial Co for $48.38 with free shipping. 

Have you tried any of these products? What are your instant result products? 

Note: The Thalgo eye masks were provided for review.

Sunday 26 March 2017

Thoughts of the week

1. I've started micro journaling. I'm not sure if that's a thing or not, if it isn't then I just made it a thing. What I'm doing is writing down one sentence thoughts. I started doing it as a way to release the daily silly little things that were annoying me then I decided to also add in the things that please me. It's fun, quick and easy.

2. Strangely enough it seems to be working. I'm calmer and not as irritated as I usually am. Winning.

3. Wednesday we sold Tiger's car. It's quite freeing being a one car family. It won't be for long, he's looking for another car now, but it'll be a cheaper car and if we don't own it outright the loan will be small. Slowly but surely we're getting our finances sorted.

4. The more I read about minimalism the more I realise it's the way that I want to live my life. Possessions weigh me down and I don't like it. 

5. Having said that, I haven't decluttered much the last few weeks, that shall be remedied this week. 

Friday 24 March 2017

FFS Friday - Alone

I don't have much to whinge about this week and that's a wonderful thing. Life is so much easier when Tiger is home. We're going away this weekend and I'm so excited. By the time this post goes live we should be on the road. It's been about six months since we went away, I'd love to get away more often.

Poor Shelby has been on heat for the last few weeks. We're going to get her fixed and I thought we'd have until she was one, but she's on heat already and she's only 10 months. 

The poor little thing hates being outside on her own so I put a nappy on her. Hahaha, it was so funny, she looked really cute wearing a nappy.   



Finally I feel like we're getting somewhere with Chai. 

We saw the psych again on Wednesday and she said that she doesn't think he has ADHD or Autism, but she does think he has anxiety and sensory issues. I researched sensory issues and if that's what Chai has got it explains a lot. Finally I feel like we are making progress.

I need to make an appointment with an OT to get him diagnosed and then see where we go from there. 

Both the naturopath and the psych also spoke to me about finding time for myself. Hah. Like it's that easy. But when I think about it, it is. Tiger is home for two weeks every month so I can take time for myself, I just don't do it. But as they both pointed out, I can't be a good Mum when I'm exhausted all the time. So that's my next priority, finding time for me.


The trouble with being an introvert is that when I have time for myself I want to be alone at home. If I wanted to go out then time to myself would be easy, but I don't want to go out, I want to stay home on my own. I love the freedom of a quiet, peaceful house when no-one is home. I switch off my phone, don't answer the door and just revel in the silence, it's bliss.

Tiger is more than willing to go out with the boys, but whenever he does he spends money, which is why I don't ask him to take the boys out very often. Maybe I need to set him a spending budget so that I'm not worried about him wasting money.

I have started to do little things that make a difference. I do a face mask at least twice a week, I got a massage last time Tiger was home and I went out on my own for a few hours whilst my beautiful SIL looked after the boys. Small things that I really should have been doing for the last six years. 

If you're a new parent learn from my mistake. Always make some time for yourself away from your beautiful babies. You need it and you deserve it.  

Thursday 23 March 2017

Things to Try Thursday - Serums

Face serums are an essential part of my skin care routine and in my opinion they are an important part of any skin care routine. Today I'm showing you the serums I'm currently using and loving. Some of them I've been using a few months and others I've been using and repurchasing for years.

Thalgo Smoothing Brightening Fluid - For years I've been using and loving Thalgo products, they are truly beautiful. I'm terrible and often forget to exfoliate my face. My Smoothing Brightening Fluid makes up for that, it helps to keep my skin feeling smooth and looking healthy. I use it once a day for a noticeable difference in my skin condition.

Skinstitut Even Blend Serum - This is a miracle worker. It's the only product I've tried for dark patches that actually works. Over the years I've tried lots of different lightening products, this one is my holy grail. After eight weeks use I noticed a significant difference in my dark patches. One had gone all together and one was a lot lighter. I'm now on to my second tube and will never be without Even Blend Serum. If you have dark patches you need this.

Thalgo Silicium Extracts - Finally an anti-aging serum that I can use on my neck! For some reason the skin on my neck is extra sensitive, until I found Silicium Extracts I hadn't been able to use any anti-aging products on it. This is designed to use on the jaw and neck to prevent skin sagging. I may be imagining it but I'm sure that my jaw is looking firmer than it used to.

The Jojoba Company Absolute Serum - Absolute Serum is a quiet achiever. It's one of those products that I think is ineffective until I stop using it and my skin condition deteriorates. With once daily use makes my skin feel very soft and smooth.

Skin Again Youth - I love the philosophy of Skin Again. They're all about celebrating natural beauty and being positive. Their products come with an affirmation to tell yourself as you're applying the product. Whilst I don't always do that, it's nice to remember to be positive. I use my Youth serum once or twice a day, it plumps out my fine lines and makes my skin look healthier. 

I purchase my Thalgo products from the Facial Co, The Jojoba Company products from my local pharmacy, Skinstitut products from Adore Beauty and Skin Again products from their website

What's your favourite serum?

Note: The Thalgo and Skin Again products were provided for review. The links above are not affiliate links they are just for reference.

Tuesday 21 March 2017

Top Three Tuesday - Hydrating Face Masks


Lately I haven't wanted to adult. It's been one of those weeks where I just want to stay in bed all day and hide away from the world. Unfortunately that isn't an option, so I've had to get up, show up and get things done. To make myself feel better I've been using a face mask in the morning. 

I love a good face mask. They make such a big difference to my skin condition and they're easy to do, I pop one on in the morning after breakfast, wash it off in the shower and I'm done. 

Frank Body Glow Mask - This is the newest addition to my collection. I added it to my last Mecca order so that I could get free shipping and I'm very glad I did. Glow Mask is great for rushed mornings as it only needs to be left on for five minutes. How good is that! Five minutes to hydrated, plumped and glowing skin, perfect! You can purchase the Frank mask from their website for $21.95.

Thalgo Moisture Quenching Mask - When my skin is dry as the Sahara I turn to my Thalgo mask. After ten minutes I wash off the remains and my parched skin has been replaced with soft, happy skin. It also works really well as an overnight mask, I apply a thick layer before bed and wake up with a beautifully hydrated face. The Moisture Quenching mask can be purchased from the Facial Co for $51.66.

Clinique Turnaround Revitalizing Instant Facial - Instant Facial is a clever little product, it's an exfoliant and mask in one. I like to use this when my skin is looking dull and feeling rough. I leave the mask on for ten minutes then gently scrub it off to reveal smooth skin. On days when my skin is really bad I'll follow up with the Thalgo mask and I'm good to go. Instant Facial can be purchased from Clinique for $68.00.

Note: The Thalgo mask was provided for review.

Monday 20 March 2017

Weleda Skin Food

Weleda Skin Food is one of the unsung hero's in my beauty routine. I use it all the time and yet never give it a second thought.

Skin Food is one of those awesome products that can be used for a multitude of different purposes. I use it as a lip balm, face and body moisturiser, hydrating face mask, highlighter, lip gloss, hand cream, cuticle treatment, skin soother, nappy rash treatment and eczema cream. 

Lately my favourite way to use skin food is as a natural highlighter. Highlighting can get a bit tricky when you're over forty, so using a product that gives a clear shine is perfect as it doesn't sink into fine lines, it glides over the top of them and looks like a natural glow. 

If you are yet to try Weleda Skin Food, I highly recommend it!
A 30ml tube costs $14.95. The small size makes it ideal for a handbag or nappy bag.  


Ingredients: water, sunflower seed oil, lanolin, sweet almond oil, beeswax, alcohol, polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, glycerin, limonene, viola tricolor extract, fragrance, hydrolyzed beeswax, sorbitan olivate, rosemary leaf extract, matricaria flower extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, arginine, zinc sulfate, linalool, geraniol, citral, coumarin.

Sunday 19 March 2017

Thoughts of the week

1. I'm constantly surprised at the amount of hate people spew out online. I don't understand why people put so much time and effort into speaking so hatefully.

2. Those same people then criticise others for being positive all the time. Stick to your own lane mate.

3. The weather here has been perfection this week.

4. A move up north is still on the cards and I really don't want to go. I've got such a beautiful support network of friends and family here.

5. My minimalism game has ground to a halt. It's been about a week since I threw anything out. I'm itching to get back into it but my motivation has run away.

Friday 17 March 2017

FFS Friday - Running away

Chai has only been to school two days this week. 

Things are getting worse. 

His anxiety signs are becoming more frequent, to the point where one of his teachers mentioned it to me. 

Last week I took him to a naturopath to see if that would help. She does Bach flowers so I was hoping to get a remedy, anything is worth a try. She didn't have her remedies with her that day so gave me her number and asked me to contact her asap to arrange a time to make a remedy for Chai. 

I contacted her on Saturday and she didn't reply. I contacted her again on Tuesday and she told me that she's too busy moving and doing workshops so will need to refer me to someone else. WTF?

Now I'm feeling like I wasted my money seeing her because she did nothing. I'm seriously considering asking for a refund.

This week I had the usual battle to get Chai to school. He starts asking and crying about it the night before. 

He gets one day off a week and I let him choose which day that is. I know he needs to go every day but dealing with a tired, upset child five days a week is more than I can cope with. Giving him one day off makes the other days a lot easier. 

This week he chose to have Tuesday off. Wednesday he really, really didn't want to go but I got him there and he didn't cry, winning.

Thursday was a huge struggle. He cried and begged the whole morning. Crying is bad enough but when he begs it breaks my heart. I finally got him to school, we looked in to the classroom and there was a relief teacher there. 

Chai took one look at her, panicked and ran away. 

The teachers assistant (who he loves) went to get him. She managed to get him outside the classroom but couldn't get him into the room.

Three of my friends also tried, one managed to calm him down but again, as soon as he got near the classroom he went into panic mode. We went home. 

This morning Eljay slept in until 7.15am. We're usually up by 6.30am. Getting up after 7am means the morning is a huge rush. I really couldn't be bothered and knew we'd be coming straight home again if there was a relief teacher there again, so Chai stayed home. 

It's looking more and more like I will have to home school him. Things are just getting worse and I have no idea what to do. I'm not going to medicate when there's nothing wrong with him and I'm not going to psychologically damage him by forcing him to go to school. He frequently tells me that school is the worst part of his life. 

Making six year olds sit still all day is crazy. Wednesday Chai ended up on the time out matt because he couldn't stop wriggling. Surely if the kids can't sit still they should be sent outside to run around for a few minutes not put on the time out matt. I'm going to have another meeting with his teacher next week.

If that doesn't work I'm taking my boys and running away. We can travel the country and I'll home school. Sounds good to me.

Thursday 16 March 2017

Things to try Thursday - Body lotions


The Body Shop Italian Summer Fig Body Cream - Oh how I love the Italian Summer Fig fragrance, it's such a beautiful fresh scent. The body cream is the perfect compliment on those days when I'm using the perfume and want the scent to last longer. I'll also use it on days when I'm not wearing perfume but still want to smell lovely. Being a body cream this isn't as thick as the body butters, so it's ideal for every day use.

Empassion Natural Body Lotion - This has been my go-to daily moisturiser. It's richer than I expected, sinks in quickly and is fragrance free. The pump top is mess free and being unfragranced it doesn't clash with my perfume.


Soap and Glory Girligo Spray On Moisturising Lotion - When I was pregnant with Chai I was so sensitive to fragrance that I couldn't wear perfume. Girligo was the only scent that I could wear because it was so light. Whilst it isn't a perfume it is a beautifully scented body lotion that works well as a very light fragrance. Hydration wise Girligo is very, very light. So light in fact that it's a bit of a push to call it a moisturising lotion, it's more like a moisturising perfume.

Tuesday 14 March 2017

La Roche-Posay My UV Patch

Sun protection is such an important thing and something I'm very vigilant with. My boys don't appreciate it at all but they will when they're adults and don't have sun damage!

Social Soup sent me a My UV Patch to and I loved it. They have an app at you dowload, then you scan the patch every few hours and it tells you if you need to apply sunscreen. I found it really interesting to learn how often I need to reapply my sunscreen. On a really hot day (36 degrees) I needed to reapply every hour! I don't usually go in the sun when it's super hot, but if I do I certainly don't reapply my sunscreen every hour. 

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my sun exposure wasn't as bad as I expected. I do my best to stay covered up and out of the sun, I apply sunscreen every time I'm in the sun, but I assumed that I'd still have quite a lot of inadvertent sun exposure when I was driving etc. Turns out it's not nearly as bad as I though it was, which is great.


Here's how it works. You stick the patch on the back of your hand, scan it with your phone and then rescan it every time a reminder comes up. The app will tell you if the UV index is high and also tells you when you need to reapply your sunscreen. La Roche-Posay say that the patch lasts up to five days, mine lasted seven before I removed it. It was still fine and could have lasted longer but I felt I'd learned enough so took it off. 

These are for sale but I'm yet to find them. My local Priceline doesn't have them, but it's worth checking with your local stockist to see if you can get hold of one.

Sunday 12 March 2017

Thoughts of the week

1. Last week we got a book case and now I have all my books on display again. It's been five years since I had them out. Oh how I've missed them. I walk past them constantly and my heart smiles to see them all. I feel like I've been reunited with a missing part of my soul. It's a wonderful feeling. 

2. I've finished my first round of the Minimalism Game and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only did I declutter a bit, I unpacked boxes that have been sitting around for over three years, discovered thing I thought we'd lost and got my books out again. I've already started round two and it's going well.

3. A few weeks ago I bought a travelers notebook on Ebay. It arrived last week and I love it. Now I'm learning all about the world of journaling. I kept a diary for years and years so I'm looking forward to getting back into writing and recording my life.

4. My baby boy is six now! 

5. Ed Sheeran's new album is amazing. 

Friday 10 March 2017

FFS Friday - Tough

There are times when I really struggle with Chai's anxiety. Really struggle.
I know it's not his fault and that he can't control it but there are times when it just gets too much.

Last week was one of those times. It took him two hours to go to sleep.
I tried, Tiger tried but he just wasn't going to sleep. He'd lay there quietly and the second we moved he'd be up.

Instead of having a few hours to ourselves with the kids in bed we had two hours of sitting in a dark room with Chai hoping that he'd fall asleep. I cannot express how fed up I am with having to cuddle him to sleep every night. He's six years old. I'm over it.

I was so annoyed after that night but it got worse. The whole time Tiger was home he'd only let me put him to sleep and he'd take ages to get to sleep.

When Tiger is home is the only time I get to have a break and a little time to myself, but that didn't happen this swing thanks to Chai's anxiety.

We're seeing a psych so I'm hoping that will help a bit because I don't know how much longer I can cope. Actually that's not true, I will cope for as long as I have to, but I am so over it I'm starting to think I need to see a psych myself to help me cope with having to cope with Chai.

Anxiety is awful. Having to be patient and kind when I'm sick of his anxiety carry on is tough, really tough.  

His first psych visit was yesterday. She mentioned that he has signs of ADHD and that there is medication which can help. I refuse to medicate him so that he can conform to an unrealistic schooling system. I'd rather home school until he's old enough to be able to deal with school. For the time being we're going to continue as is and see how the next few visits go. 

I mentioned previously that last weekend we had Chai's birthday party. What an experience. 

The preparation was exhausting, made more so by me having to do it all myself. I spent two days cooking and preparing everything. 

The day of the party Chai woke up and told me we'd have to cancel the party because his stomach felt sick. Turns out he didn't want people singing happy birthday to him.

He didn't want a candle either so after me going to all the effort to make him a special cake he barely even looked at it. Oh well.

It also revealed a few things. A few people who I thought were good friends didn't bother to rsvp or show up. Nice to know where I stand with them.

Out of the thirty kids invited only 18 rsvp'd. How rude. I later found out that some people who didn't rsvp had been planning to come. How does that work? Do people expect you to cater for them even if you don't know if they'll be there? The whole world of birthday parties is very strange to me.

It also showed me which people are there for us. We have a lovely group of friends who I can rely on to be there. Most of them where there, the few who couldn't be let me know. 

All said, it was a good day and Chai had a great time which is all that matters. 

Thursday 9 March 2017

Dear Chai


My big boy, you are 6! I know I say it every year, but I can't believe my cute little baby is 6! You're such a boy now, you've lost all traces of baby and look like a handsome little boy.

You're such a special person. You are kind, considerate and full of energy. You love your friends and are very social, you can make friends with anyone and everyone. 

You had a growth spurt over the holidays and have shot up making you taller than most of your friends now. You're having a few struggles with school but I'm sure we'll get there, you don't lack intelligence you just aren't quite ready to sit still all day. Can't say I blame you there. 

Slowly but surely you're becoming more independent. Every Monday is cousin day, you scoot to school with your cousin and then after school you go home together and spend the afternoon there then come home after dinner. You love that you get to have a Big Boy Play all on your own.

One of your favourite things to do is swim. After swimming lessons at the end of the year you got so confident and now swim around like a little fish. You love swimming underwater and even dive into the deep end. You love jumping in whilst doing funny poses and constantly try to make me laugh.  
Your other favourite past times are jumping on the trampoline, playing with your toys (lego, Grossery Gang, Ninja Turtles). 
You love being around people and can chat to anyone. 

On Sunday you had your first ever birthday party. The morning of the party you asked me to cancel it because your belly was sick. When I asked why you wanted to cancel you said that you didn't want everyone to sing happy birthday to you. You said that you wanted to blow out a candle but didn't want any singing. When we got to the party you had a great time. You didn't blow out a candle and we didn't sing to you so you were happy. 

My precious boy, I love you more than I can put in to words. Thank you for  making me a Mum. You'll always be my baby.
 

Tuesday 7 March 2017

Minimalism - Large handbag vs small handbag


Often I feel weighed down by my handbag, which I suppose is also a metaphor for life, all of my possessions weighing me down. On my journey to become minimalist I started thinking about my handbag. I've always been a big handbag person. I love being prepared and having a Mary Poppins style bag that always contains what I need. Thanks to that my bag is always really heavy. I clean it out but within a few weeks it's heavy again. 

Full of what? All sorts of "just in case" stuff. But in all honest, how often do I use the "just in case" things? Not very often, maybe once or twice a year and yet I insist on carrying these things around. Want some serviettes? I have them. Want a straw? Got them. Need a lid for your water bottle? Here you go. Antibacterial hand wipes? Check. 


That leads me to the question, what do I need in my handbag?
Not much. My purse, keys, mobile phone, lipstick and lip balm, tissues, sunglasses, swiss army knife, pen and baby wipes. Everything else can go. 

In an effort to make my handbag more minimalist, I went and bought a new, smaller bag. I tossed up about it for a while because buying a new bag goes against my ideal of not buying new things unless I really need them, and I don't need a new handbag. I thought about it for a few weeks then decided to buy one on sale. In my declutter I've got rid of seven hand bags and I don't have a small bag, so I justified it to myself.

Here's what was in my large bag. Not shown is a whole pile of rubbish that I threw in the bin (receipts, a crystal I bought and forgot about, food wrappers etc).

The reason I got a smaller bag is so I'll be forced to keep it minimal, I can't fit anything else.

This is the after photo. I've actually got less in my bag now, I removed the purple coin purse and the calm spray. 

Alongside my minimalism efforts I'm also trying to save money, so every few days I empty most of the coins out of my purse which means I don't need a separate coin purse. I'm tossing up whether to keep the tissues, I don't use them very often and I have baby wipes, I'll see how I go over the next few weeks then make a decision. 

I've considered getting a smaller purse but hubby bought this one for me and I can't bear to part with it. Plus, it's in perfect condition so there's no need to replace it.  

Do you have a large bag or a small bag? What do you carry around with you?

Monday 6 March 2017

February outgoing and incoming

Well February certain went by in a blur didn't it? No? Just me then.

I did really well with my empties in February, lots of empties. I love it when my empties bin is full at the end of the month, even better if it's full before the end of the month!

Crop Double Sided Facial Wipes - I rarely use face wipes on my face, they're usually used for removing swatches from my hand. I did use these ones on my face a few times, they were pleasant to use and did a pretty good job of removing my makeup. The exfoliating side gives a light exfoliation, not effective enough as a stand alone exfoliant but good as an extra step. What I really liked the exfoliating side for is to remove multiple layers of sunscreen. They are really, really good at removing sunscreen.

Bondi Wash Body Wash - Whilst this was quite pleasant to use, I'm not a fan of the herbal scent. I'd be interested to try it in a different scent. 

Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint - I'm in love with this. It gave gorgeous coverage that looked like I had flawless skin and wasn't wearing any foundation. If I didn't have a whole pile of foundations to get through I'd purchase it immediately. I'm seriously considering buying it regardless.

Korres Wild Rose Brightening Serum - I got two used from this sachet so can't comment on it's effectiveness but the rose scent was lovely. 

We go through so much sunscreen. These are just the ones that I've used on my face and body. If I added in the ones that Tiger and the boys use there would be at least five more tubes to show.

Jergens BB Body - Whilst I didn't notice any perfecting happening, I did really enjoying using this lotion. The flip top is great, it smells nice and kept my skin feeling soft and hydrated.

The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Shower Gel - Green Tea is one of my all time favourite scents. Years ago MOR had a green tea line that was heavenly. The Body Shop version is just as good. I'll definitely be repurchasing the shower gel, along with a few other green tea things whilst I'm there.

L'oreal Revitalift Laser x3 - I'm not sure why I'm surprised when skincare doesn't live up to claims made by the company. Whilst this was pleasant enough to use it made no difference to my skin condition. It's a lovely moisturiser for normal to dry skin but if you are expecting it to do anything other than hydrate you'll be disappointed. 


Josie Maran Whipped Mud Mask - I loved this and will be buying it next time we go to the city. It smells gorgeous and made my skin feel very soft. It didn't dry to a tight or uncomfortable feeling and my face wasn't red when I removed it.

Perfume samples
Nars Laguna bronzer - I have the full size of this, it's lovely for pale skinned people. 

Miessence Lip Balm - After using and hating the Miessence lip balm years ago (about ten years), I repurchased it and really liked the new version. This is a smooth, ultra hydrating lip balm that's all natural and smells like jaffa's. 

Too Faced Naturally Radiant Concealer - Love, love, love. 

Skinstitut Even Blend Serum - If you have pigmentation you need Even Blend Serum in your life. It's amazing. I have another tube on the way to me. 

Ole Henriksen Eye Gel - Do eye creams really make any difference? I'm yet to find one that works miracles.  Whilst this kept my eye area hydrated it didn't do anything that a normal moisturiser can't do. 

Oval Cotton Pads.

Now for the tosses.
Most of these products are being rehomed. 
The Essence Foundation is nice but a little too heavy for me. 

I liked the Hair and Me treatment but it takes me two washes to get it all out and I make a huge mess when I'm putting it on. It's just too much effort. I prefer cream treatments that I can put on in the shower and that wash out easily. 

Technically the Audra James Nipple Treatment isn't a toss. I used it back when Eljay was a newborn (3 1/2 years ago). Not only did I use it as a nipple cream I also used it on nappy rash, my lips, scratches, dry skin etc. I lost it ages ago and rediscovered it last week hiding under the bed. There was a tiny bit left but enough that I couldn't call it empty. Truth be told I'd never toss an Audra product!

Cocokind lip balm - I wanted to love this balm but it's so soft that it's unusable so out it goes. 

I was very sad to get rid of the 100% Pure lipstick but the colour just doesn't suit me. It's a gorgeous lipstick so I repurchased it in a colour that does suit me and gave this one away.

The L'Occitane peach lip balm was beautiful but it'd gone off. I found it when I was doing a clean out, pretty sure it's been sitting in a box for about three years.

The Fushi lip treatment is another product that I just don't love. I've had it sitting on my bedside table for ages now but I rarely use it because it's lumpy and smells herbally. I don't like putting herbal scented things on my lips. 

Rimmel's Lasting Finish concealer just doesn't work for me. It's too dry to use as an under eye concealer and I don't use concealer anywhere else. 

RIP to my lash brush, it died a happy death.


Incoming.
I stayed away from the shops this month and didn't buy much online either. Go me.

Technically I didn't go to the shop to purchase some new It's The Bomb products, I just went to my neighbours house. I purchased two whipped soaps and a sugar scrub. They are all amazing. If you only buy one thing this year make it one of the whipped soaps. 

Sash Cosmetics are a new Australian brand who make gorgeous lipsticks. I love every one of the shades that I got and can see more in my future. 

My local Red Dot store are selling Savoir Faire cosmetics really, really cheaply thanks to Savoir Faire going into receivership a few years ago. I've always loved the brand and couldn't miss the opportunity to purchase them at super cheap prices. The palette cost $8 and the glosses are all $3 each, even the set of minis. 

If you are in WA head to your local store and stock up! 
 

My last purchase was from Shanghai Lil and the Scarlet Fez. I took advantage of a free shipping promotion and purchased two lip balms. They both smell amazing and now I want to try all the other flavours. 

What have you finished and purchased recently?

Sunday 5 March 2017

Thoughts of the week

1. Today we're having Chai's birthday party. It's his first proper birthday party, the other years we've just had family around. It's also the first party that I've arranged and I really hope it goes well, I'm so nervous. As long as he has a great time I'll be happy. 

2. On Thursday Chai turns 6! My beautiful little baby, the boy who made me a mum is turning 6!

3. Harry's Ice Cream Co Triple Choc Brownie ice cream is awesome. 

4. It's The Bomb Energy whipped soap and candle are my new obsession.

5. I love blogging. It's been ten years and I still enjoy it as much as I used to. I don't make money from my blog, it's just a passion of mine. Whilst it'd be great if it did earn me an income it's not something I focus on (or put any effort into actually, which is why it doesn't make me any money). 

Friday 3 March 2017

FFS Friday - Let them eat cake

Once again our pool is costing us money. FFS.
Just for something different. FFS.

The creepy crawly needed a new skirt (the plastic bits around the side). Tiger ordered one, it was reasonably cheap, from memory it was under $50. It arrived and as he was trying to put it on he broke part of the creepy crawly.

Naturally it was a part that couldn't be replaced. 
So now we need a new creepy crawly. FFS.

When we had to get a new pool pump he told me we now have a brand new pool and yet here we are a few weeks later spending around $400 on a new creepy crawly. Will it ever end? I think not.

Added to that, the new coating that was put on the pool when we got it refurbished has started to peel off. Thankfully it's under warranty. But it means that I'll have people traipsing through the backyard for weeks. Nice.

We told the pool shop about it and they said they no longer deal with that company. Too bad, they did the job, they have to fix it. 

The pool saga never ends. Heed my words people, don't get a pool unless you want a money pit.

Sunday Chai is having his first ever birthday party. I'm so worried that I'll forget something. 

Logically I know that there's nothing to worry about. As long as there are food and drinks for the kids, a cake and lolly bags they'll be happy. 

I'm making the cake myself. I know getting cakes made is the done thing but I've always made Chai's cakes and I'll continue to do so. I figure if the cake goes wrong I can always pick one up from the bakery the day of the party, so we should be right. Wish me luck.