Sunday 30 September 2018

Thoughts of the week

1. After reading the My Health Records Act 2012 I've opted myself and the children out. The reason I made this decision is mainly due to Part 4, Subdivison B, 65 (1). 
Subject to section 69, a participant in the My Health Record system is authorised to collect, use and disclose health information included in a healthcare recipient’s My Health Record if the collection, use or disclosure is required or authorised by Commonwealth, State or Territory law.
There are so many different Commonwealth and State laws that could potentially allow access to our records, it's just not something I'm willing to risk.


2. Today is the last time I get to see one of my very good friends. She's moving overseas so I won't see here again for a few years. After seeing her almost every day for the last seven months, her presence will be sorely missed. She's been my sanity when Tiger is at work. Without her I'll probably only speak to other adults once a week.

3. The Christmas collections will be out soon and I'm so here for it. Can't wait to see all the limited edition goodies. They get me every time. 

4. I have the strong urge to transform out house into a colourful, boho, plant filled hippie home.

5. We have new neighbours behind us. Despite my best snooping efforts I still haven't managed to see them. I might get desperate and go over to introduce myself.

Friday 28 September 2018

FFS Friday - Hovering

Oh how embarrassment. It's Friday and I haven't prepared a rant/whinge/lecture etc. Oops. It's not that I don't have things to say, it's just that my brain is empty. I have no words.

I've realised lately just how alone I am a lot of the time. At the moment I've got a friend who I see every day. I've seen her nearly every day for the last seven months. Next week she's moving overseas and it's made me realise that when she's gone I'll be alone again. When Tiger is away I rarely spend time with anyone other than the kids.

We go to the home schooling group every week, but the majority of my time there is spent supervising the boys and having half conversations whilst I race after them. I miss the days of having friends who I could see whenever. I miss being able to call a friend and see if they want to come over. I miss having company.

My BFF has a lot of awful things going on for her at the moment, so I don't get to see her as often as I'd like. 

I'm hovering between being perfectly contented with my life and feeling like I'm going crazy. I blame the lack of coffee. Yes, you guessed it, my coffee machine is still not fixed! It's been over two weeks now. I may not survive. 

I've also been having trouble with my stomach, which never helps. As usual, the blood tests show that everything is fine, which they clearly aren't because my stomach is really sore. It's times like these I miss my amazing naturopath. I have no idea where he is now, last I heard he was living in the Philippines. 

So that's my strange, rambling rant for the week. 

Have a beautiful weekend lovelies :)

Monday 24 September 2018

Loving lately

It's been a while since I chatted about the products I've been loving lately. I tend to use the same things over and over now, it makes my morning routine a lot easier. Despite that, I have been using a few products that I haven't mentioned before, so here they are.


Danearth Organic Lavender Balm
I'm convinced my calm mood lately has been thanks to my liberal use of this gorgeous lavender balm. I've been applying it daily to my elbows and behind my ears. It also helps to calm irritated skin, sooth mozzie bites etc.
Mainly, I love it for the calming effect.  

Subtle Energies Facial Blend Oil
When I need to relax before bed, I turn to my beloved Facial Blend Oil. The scent is heavenly, I wish they made a perfume with the same scent.
I rub the oil between my palms then hold it over my face and inhale deeply for a few minutes. That's all it takes to relax me. Easy.
The oil is light enough that I can use it in the mornings under make up too, however I prefer to use it at night due to the scent.

Designer Brands Certified Organic Rosehip Oil
Some nights (way too many lately) I've been feeling too tired for my night time skin care routine. Instead I've been rolling on my rosehip oil, patting it in and I'm done. I have the bottle on my bedside table, so even when I'm laying in bed I can still do my evening skin care. It's perfect for my all too frequent lazy nights.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Body Fragrance Spray
If you haven't already guessed, I'm obsessed with this gorgeous fragrance. I spray it in my hair, on my clothes and use it as a perfume. It's surprisingly long lasting for a body fragrance, I apply in the morning and can still smell it at lunchtime. 

Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid Foundation
When I received this to trial for Beauty Crew, I wasn't sure what to expect as it's been ages since I used a Maybelline foundation. To my surprise, it's a gorgeous product. They say that it's hydrating, which I didn't find to be the case, however my skin is extremely dry at the moment. Despite being a full coverage foundation, it looks very natural, feels undetectable once on and lasts all day, even through my constant nose blowing (thanks chronic hayfever). 
I've worn Dream Satin daily since I received it and will happily repurchase.   

What have you been loving lately?

Sunday 23 September 2018

Thoughts of the week

1. We made melting moments this week, they're so good!

2. Dr Lipp has released their wonderful Nipple Balm in a tinted version. There are three shades available, I need to get my hands on some of them.

3. This week I was introduced to the Library Thing app. If you like to keep track of the books you read, you'll love this app.

4. I really miss the old beauty forums. I used to belong to a few that were great. The only ones I'm aware of now seem really cliquey, it's the same group of people chatting to each other and ignoring everyone else.

5. I've been trying the new Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid foundation for Beauty Crew and I really like it. The coverage is natural looking, long lasting and even with me constantly blowing my nose the foundation doesn't come off!

Friday 21 September 2018

FFS Friday - The bird

Hello Friday!

It's been over a week without a coffee machine. The situation is dire. How did I survive before I had a coffee machine? Now I have to leave the house every day just to get coffee, it's not ideal. I'm home schooling, I'm supposed to be able to stay home in my pj's all day, not go out every single day. It's just not right.

Do you ever wonder what your parents think of you? This week I found out the horrifying truth about what Dad thinks of me.

Monday night I smashed my middle finger with a piece of wood and ended up with a huge bruise on my fingernail. We all know the required action when you have a huge bruise; you show it to everyone you can in order to gain as much tough cred/sympathy as possible. 

Tiger was away (of course), so I showed it to him Monday night. When I spoke to him Tuesday Dad was there. He was sitting across the table from me, without his glasses on. Tiger called, I said hello then showed him my wounded middle finger. I held it up to the screen for about 30 seconds so that he could get a good look at it and show me the required amount of sympathy.

When I got off the phone I showed Dad, who looked surprised and said that he thought I'd been giving Tiger the bird. FFS!

Dad really thought that I'd say hello to Tiger then flip him the bird! What sort of person does he think I am? WTF would I do that? I never flip the bird, let alone to my husband. And if I was flipping the bird to my husband, why would he say how awful it looked? Makes no sense at all. 

What is clear is that Dad thinks I'm the sort of person who'd flip the bird at my husband. Nice. Glad my father has such faith in me.

I'm crushed.

Wednesday 19 September 2018

Sol de Janeiro first impressions


Sol de Janeiro recently launched at Mecca and I was onto it straight away. I've been wanting to try the Brazilian Bum Bum cream for ages, it has such a cult following. 

Initially I purchased the Brazilian Bum Bum cream and the Cupuacu lip butter. When I sniffed the Bum Bum cream I immediately purchased the Brazilian Crush body fragrance mist because the scent is amazing. Both the Bum Bum cream and the Brazilian Crush body fragrance mist have a pistachio and salted caramel scent. Cupuacu lip butter has a Doce de Leite scent although to me it smells the same as the Bum Bum cream.

The Brazilian Bum Bum (pronounced boom boom) cream is said to visibly tighten the skin and provide a luminous glow. I haven't been using it long enough to see if it works, I'll report back after a few months use. 
I love the beautiful scent, the luxuriously hydrating feel and the quick absorption. At $29 for 75ml and $66 for 240ml it's not cheap, but to me the gorgeous scent makes it worth the price. 

When I layer the cream and body fragrance, the scent is strong enough to use as a perfume.
The body fragrance can also be used in the hair, when I use it in my hair I can still smell it two days later. 

It was love at first application with the Brazilian Kiss lip butter. The flavour is beautiful, it feels amazing and is very hydrating. My parched winter lips have been loving the long lasting hydration I get when I use my Brazilian Kiss. 
I'd love if it came in a smaller size that was easier to carry around, the large tube is way too big for my pocket. 

Have you tried any of the Sol de Janeiro products? What's your favourite item?


Monday 17 September 2018

Pan the Pots Update Two


Now that I've got on track, my Pan the Pots challenge is going well. Finishing a potted product is so satisfying!

I realised that my Harlotte lipstick pot was over seven years, so I tossed it and substituted in my Chantecaille Lip Potion. The Lip Potion was almost full, however thanks to both boys using it, I finished it in a week. It was an expensive balm that I didn't particularly want them using, but it performed magic on Chai's very chapped lips, so I let him use it. Emma gave it to me for my birthday a few years ago, I'll buy it again, but not until I've substantially reduced my lip balm collection.   

I finished the Chantecaille Lip Potion, Black Chicken Balm of All Ages and Salt By Hendrix Lip Glow, then started working on my last product, the Yard Lip Bloss. Despite loving the way this smells, I just couldn't motivate myself to use it properly, so it sat there unloved for weeks until I finally admitted to myself that I just don't love it, so it went in the bin. I've had it for years now and used to use it all the time, but I fell out of love. There's no point sticking with products that I don't love. 

After dithering about deciding what to use in it's place I settled on my Shanghai Lil and the Scarlet Fez Jersey Caramel lip balm. I love it and am happy to use it every day, so it shouldn't be too difficult to finish.

I've really enjoyed using up my potted products and will make sure that I'm always working on one or two of them from now on. At home I'm making the effort to only use balms in pots so they get some well deserved love.  

Have you been panning anything?

Do you follow the texturetuesday and texturethursday hashtags on Instagram? They're a great motivation to use products in pots, because they looks so amazing in photographs.

You can read my intro post here and my first update here.

Sunday 16 September 2018

Thoughts of the week

1. we've had some lovely spring weather the last few days, it's been wonderful.

2. Our coffee machine is broken. Woe is me. I'd forgotten how quickly it adds up when you buy coffee every day. I'm only buying one a day, but it's such an inconvenience. First world problems!

3. I've been following Hurricane Florence as one of my friends is very close to that area. I'm so glad we don't have weather like that here!

4. The Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm is lovely.

5. Happy birthday Glaiza, I hope you have a wonderful day xxx

Friday 14 September 2018

FFS Friday - Hopeful

Hello Friday! How are we all? I hope you've had a wonderful week. Our week has been long. Tiger had to go back to work early and Chai was really upset about it this time. Poor boy, it's awful seeing him so upset and not being able to help him.

They say that kids get used to FIFO but they really don't. Tiger has been doing FIFO for five years now, but Chai still isn't used to it. Eljay isn't fussed, Tiger's been FIFO his whole life so he doesn't know any different. 

Last week we went to see Chai's psych and I'd got to the point where I was ready to try medication for him. His behaviour has been over the top and between the Paediatrician and Psychologist I was starting to wonder if he does have ADHD (he doesn't). 

I ordered the medication and on the day I was due to pick it up I bumped into a school mum. Her son has Autism, ADHD and SPD. His behaviour at school was over the top and he was constantly getting suspended (this was because the school were not dealing with him appropriately so he constantly had meltdowns, it wasn't his fault).
He switched to another school and he's a different child. He's thriving, doesn't have meltdowns and can't wait to get to school every day.
He's also medication free. When she told me that I decided that I'm not ready to medicate Chai.

Instead, I'm trying love and positive encouragement. So far it's working. I know it's only early days, I might be here next week saying that I've had to medicate, but so far we're doing well. 

When Chai has an angry outburst, instead of growling at him I cuddle him. When he's gone all day without hurting Eljay, he gets to spend some time playing on the xbox. In the past I used the xbox as a punishment, I'd take the xbox away if he'd been misbehaving. Now, I use it as a reward. It's basically the same thing, I just phrase it differently. 

It's been five days and things are going really well. Chai's happy, he's controlling himself and he hasn't hit his brother once. Fingers crossed this continues!
Wish me luck. 

Wednesday 12 September 2018

Beauty and the Bees Honey Butter Lip Balms

I've been using Beauty and the Bees products for about fifteen years now. They were onto cruelty free, plastic free, zero waste and palm oil free way before it became a big deal.
Their product range is gorgeous, I've yet to be disappointed with anything I've tried from them. 


One of their latest releases is something I'm very excited about. Refillable lip balm! 
You'd think something like this would be quite pricey but it's only $19.95 for the tube and balm or $14.945 for the refill. 

The tubes are very heavy and feel like something you'd get from a high end brand. They're sturdy enough that they'll last a lifetime. The balm clicks out from the bottom so there's no worry about it coming open in my handbag.

There are three versions available; unscented, orange spice and rose red tint. I have unscented and rose red tint (which is also unscented). Whilst they have no added scent, they both have a soft honey scent. 



I find my Honey Butter balms to be very hydrating, they're one of my favourite balms and I love that they're refillable. The rose red tint gives a sheer wash of pinky red that looks natural and brightens my face nicely.

The formula feels hydrating and creamy, with a slightly glossy finish. 
If you haven't tried Beauty and The Bees products you're missing out!

 

Monday 10 September 2018

Kosas Rosewater Lipstick


Kosas gets a lot of hype in the natural beauty community, so when they appeared on Mecca I grabbed one straight away. I purchased the Rosewater shade, which is a cool toned sheer pink.


Kosas say their lipsticks are weightless and they really are. Once on, I don't even feel like I have anything on my lips. Despite the sheerness and weightless feeling, the wear time is amazing, I get six hours wear before the colour fades off. It's quite amazing. 

Kosas say that the formula is ultra nourishing, which I don't find to be true. It's comfortable but not hydrating enough that I can go without lip balm.

The tube is sleek with a magnetic closure that makes a great clicking sound when it closes.



The only problem I have with my Kosas lipstick is that it doesn't wind the whole way down. There's a tiny bit of lipstick peaking over the top that I'll no doubt manage to smear all over the case sometime soon.

Kosas lipsticks are natural and cruelty free.
I purchased mine from Mecca Cosmetica for $41.

Sunday 9 September 2018

Thoughts of the week

1. Carmex have released a watermelon flavoured lip balm pot. We all need it. It'll be sold at Coles, Chemist Warehouse and pharmacies.

2. For about six months I've been thinking of cutting my hair. It's in a lob at the moment, I'm thinking about going shorter, to a bob. I'm not sure if I could cope with not being able to tie it back, having my hair on my neck annoys me sometimes.

3. The Body Shops limited edition banana range is out and it smells amazing.

4. As much as I love living in the country, it's really annoying when you need to buy something, cause you just can't get it here. I've been looking for bathroom cupboards but there aren't any here. In desperation we've had to use those wall cubes, that's all we could get here. So annoying.

5. Having said that, the bathroom looks so much better now that my stuff isn't all over the counter.

Friday 7 September 2018

FFS Friday - Contented

After a few silly incidents I'm having to tell the boys daily "The only things we put in our mouth are food and drinks". You wouldn't think this would be necessary considering they are 5 and 7, but it is. Boys.

Last weekend I was talking to my friend about our bucket lists. Neither of us have one. There's nothing that she wants to do before she dies. The only thing I want to do is get married by Elvis in Vegas and we're planning that trip.

Neither of us have anything else that we really want to do before we die because we've done the things we wanted to do. Interesting. We chatted further about whether we should come up with a bucket list then decided that not having one is great because it means we're content and we've done the things that are important to us.

Sure, I'd love to travel more, but there's nothing that I have a burning desire to do. Obviously if I died tomorrow I'd regret not seeing my boys grow up etc, but they are things that happen with time, not things that I can make happen.

My best friend thinks one thing that makes us content is knowing that if we really wanted to do something, we could make it happen fairly quickly. That's a wonderful place to be isn't it? We truly are lucky.

Being able to say you're content with your life is a magical thing. 

I have made this decision; I'm not going to make a bucket list but I am going to make sure that I see more of my friends and family. That's what I'd regret, not spending more time with the people I love. Luckily for me that's easy to change. 

Do you have a bucket list?

Wednesday 5 September 2018

Bite Beauty Flat White French Press Lip Gloss


Bite Beauty make some of my all time favourite lip products. If I could only use one brand of lip products for the rest of my life I'd choose Bite Beauty, their products are beautiful. When they released a limited edition range of coffee flavoured glosses, I was onto it. Thankfully Sephora Australia stocked them, so I was easily able to get my hands on one.


The glosses look quite bold and most of them are warm shades, so I chose Flat White, which Bite describe as a creamy pale pink. On my pigmented lips it looks like a sheer cool nude and could easily be mistaken for a clear gloss. 

They have a gorgeous coffee scent and flavour which coffee lovers will be thrilled with. 


Despite being a gloss, they are surprisingly long lasting, I get around three hours wear which is fairly decent for a gloss. The formula isn't sticky and it feels very hydrating. It doesn't migrate outside my lip line, however I do find it looks better when I use a lip liner. 

If I could see them in person I'd probably pick up another shade in the range, I'd love to try Black Coffee which is a deep plum brown. 

I purchased my French Press Lip Gloss from Sephora Australia for $36.

Monday 3 September 2018

First impressions of some recent acquisitions

I don't usually write haul posts and it's high time I started. I got a few new things in August, so I'll show some of them and give my first impressions. Full reviews will follow when I've had time to try the products properly.


Victoria's Secret Breathless Gloss Balm 
Hubby bought this for me last time he came home. When I saw the peach tube I was worried that the colour wouldn't suit me, but it's glossy with barely any colour. It's definitely a glossy balm (as you might have guessed from the name), I lovely the hydrating formula and can't wait to add a few more to my collection.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Body Fragrance Mist
I've been lusting after the Brazilian Bum Bum cream for years, so when it was launched at Mecca I placed an order straight away. Once I opened my tub I got back on and ordered the body spray. The pistachio and caramel scent is amazing, it was love at first sniff. I love the the fragrance mist can also be used on the hair and the scent lasts for days. I sprayed it in Eljay's hair and could still smell it three days later. 

Kosas Rosewater Lipstick
Kosas is a brand that gets amazing reviews online so it's one that I've been wanting to try for a long time. I really want to try their tinted face oil, but Mecca doesn't stock that, so I went for the next product on my list, the lipstick. Rosewater is a gorgeous pinky mauve that feels like nothing on my lips. So far I'm really loving it.

 Frank Body Anti Angry Face Mist
My skin has been very irritated lately so I was hoping this would help but it didn't. The first time I used it my face stung, so I haven't tried it again. I'll give it another go in a few weeks when my skin isn't so irritated. 

Bare Lips Mauve Tinted Rose Geranium Lip Balm
Bare Lips have quickly become some of my favourite balms. I love that they come in eco friendly, compostible packaging and the little tubes are so cute! Rose Geranium is easily my favourite scent and the mauve tint is beautiful. 


Mecca Cosmetica Lit From Within Illuminating Primer
Now that I'm suddenly allergic to my favourite primer, I've started the hunt for a new one. It's early days but so far I quite like Lit From Within. It has the right amount of glowiness without being over the top and doesn't irritate my skin (always a bonus!)

Danearth Organic Lavender Balm 
I love my Danearth face wash (read about it here) and wanted to try the serum because it's done amazing things for my sister. Whilst I was purchasing them, Dani showed me her new Lavender Balm, which I bought because it smells beautiful. I've been wearing it as perfume and today am seeing how it goes as a headache treatment. 

What have you hauled lately?

Sunday 2 September 2018

Thoughts of the week

1. This week I found out that if you layby an item, the warranty starts from the date you take the layby out, not the day you take the product home. How dodgy is that! If you challenged it I'd imagine you'd have a pretty strong claim, considering you can't use the product whilst it's still in the store. 

2. Is anyone interested in joining me on a no buy for 2019? I know it'd be really tough, but it's necessary. Even just for one category (for me it'd be lip products).

3. The new caramel Kit Kat is amazing. Try it at your detriment.

4. Kosmea have released new face masks, they look really interesting.

5. I've fallen in love with this song.