FFS Friday - Broken

Hello beautiful people. How are you all? Survived the week okay?

I have to tell you about our washing machine saga. Our old washing machine was on the way out so Tiger bought a new one. I'm not overly happy with it, he bought it without me and it has an agitator which I don't like. 

Anyhow, we got it and when we first used it we noticed that it was quite noisy. We figured it was just a noisy machine and thought nothing of it. A few days later the noise got louder. It was only on the spin cycle so we thought the machine was unbalanced. We made sure it was balanced and tried again, however the noise got worse. It sounded like there was a coin stuck in the machine. We pulled the agitator off and looked underneath but couldn't see anything. 

I ran a clean cycle, that didn't help. The noise kept on getting worse until day eight when it showed an error message saying there was a motor failure. Our washing machine that was only eight days old was stuffed. The warranty people came out, confirmed it was broken and ordered a new one. It took a week for the new machine to arrive and another five days until they could deliver it and remove the broken machine. 

The only saving grace was that we still had our original machine (not the new one, the one we had before we bought the new one) and it still worked okay until the day before the new machine arrived when it decided to die completely. 

So all in all it worked out and we now have a new machine. I'm just waiting to see if this one is going to die too. So far it's okay. It's been nine days with no problems so hopefully we're in the clear. 

That's my first world whinge.

A look at my Lanolips collection

 

It's been a while since I talked about Lanolips. They're one of my favourite brands and a staple in my collection. The golden ointment is great for treating rashes and dry skin, the original 101 ointment is a brilliant all purpose product and the lip balms are heaven for dry lips. 

As you can see from my photo I've been collecting them for years. Some of the products are over 10 years old yet they work as well as they did when I first bought them (having said that, I don't use the old ones anymore, I just kept them so I could take a flashback photo).

Have you tried Lanolips?

What's your favourite Lano product?

Thoughts of the week

1. It's school holidays!

 

2. Tax time is nearly here, I need to get my paperwork together. 

3. I am very tempted to cut my hair off and get a fringe. I think I'll wait till winter is over before I cut it shorter. It's been years since I went to the hairdresser. I'd love to be able to cut my hair myself. 

4. I have a $75 Mecca voucher and no idea what to spend it on. Suggestions are welcome.

5. I forgot to tell you about the washing machine saga. I'll save that for next week's FFS Friday.

FFS Friday - Wine

Hello beautiful people! How are you all? Have you had a good week?

Our week has been okay, not awful and not wonderful. Chai was doing really well with his anxiety until something happened at school. It was totally preventable and shouldn't have happened. It pushed him back and now his anxiety has kicked up again. 

The good news is that Tiger wasn't working at the time so was available to pick him up and we've managed to get an appointment with the mental health service. They have a really bad reputation but I'm hoping through them we'll be able to see a psychiatrist. I'm sending Tiger in so hopefully he'll be able to sort it out. I'm also trying to get him into other psychiatrists, not putting my eggs into one basket as we all know it's nearly impossible to see any paediatric health professionals in WA at the moment. 

One week until school holidays start. I'm equally looking forward to them and dreading them. I'm looking forward to not having to race around, I'm not looking forward to having to keep the kids entertained in cold, wet weather. 

 

Next term is going to be crazy. I'm working a lot. It'll be a crazy 10 weeks but we'll get through it. Lucky I love my job.

 

I know I have things to complain about, however I can't think of them at the moment. I'm not doing a very good job of complaining and this post is supposed to be all about complaining.

 

Ohhh I remember now. So, last weekend was my birthday. I didn't want to do much so we just had a lunch with immediate family and my bff....and one of Tiger's friends. Yep. He invited one of his friends because "she's having a hard time at the moment". I was not impressed. I've met her a few times but don't really know her and she's definitely not someone I would call close family. She spent a lot of the time talking about the hard time she's going through. Whilst I feel sympathy for what she's going through, it was just awkward and uncomfortable for all of us. 

That's my whinge for the week.

Have a wonderful weekend beautiful people.

Ultraderm Skin Renew Tri-Peptide Moisturiser

 

A few months ago I was sent the Ultraderm Skin Renew Tri-Peptide moisturiser to trial. I'm about half way through the tube so it's time for a review. 

Peptides are great at hydrating and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles however they take a little bit of time to show results. The longer you use them the better the results. I've been using my Tri-Peptide moisturiser for enough time that I'm starting to see results. My fine lines and wrinkles are less noticeable, my skin is glowing and it looks more plumped. My winter skin is loving how hydrating this moisturiser is. 

It doesn't irritate my sometimes sensitive skin, however when I use too much it can irritate my eyes, but that's nothing a little bit of powder doesn't fix. 

 

I used this as my day moisturiser to keep my skin feeling comfortable all day. It absorbs quickly and works well under make-up. 

Skin Renew Tri-Peptide moisturiser costs $84.00 for a 75ml tube. I've been using mine daily for two months and still have at least half a tube left, I'd say it'll last me at least another two months. 

 

Igredients: Aqua, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol and Cetearyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Sunflower Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Shea Butter, Cyclotetrasiloxane and Cyclopentasiloxane, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Dimethicone, D-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol and Carbomer and Polysorbate 20 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide –7 (Matrixyl 3000), Di-peptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate (SYN-AKE), Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Extract, Chamomile Extract, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate,  Potassium Sorbate.

Thoughts of the week

1. My boys have started making popcorn the old fashioned way (on the stove). It tastes so much better than the packet stuff.

2. It's been so cold here lately, I love it.

3. I got some really good news at work this week. I'll have a permanent job soon! I won't know for a while yet how many days I'll have, but I'm excited. It's a great job with lovely people. I'm so lucky that I fell into that role.

4. I've been doing a little clear out of my lip products lately. I have so many, there's no way I can use them all up.

5. Make-up isn't bringing me as much joy as it used to, mainly because I just don't have the time to spend getting ready like I used to.

FFS Friday - Trundling

Hello beautiful people. How are you all? What's been happening?

I have nothing exciting to report. Things have been trundling along as usual. One step forward, two steps backwards as per usual.

Chai's anxiety is starting to ease a little which is great. It's been a tough few weeks for him. I'm trying to get him help but as anyone else who's trying to get help for their kids knows, it's almost impossible at the moment. I'm not holding out much hope that we'll get anywhere. I've got Tiger to try to sort it out. In my experience he gets much better results than I do. Professionals are more willing to listen to the Dad instead of the Mum which is ridiculous as usually the Mum has more of an idea what's going on. If that's what we have to do to get help then we'll do it. Fingers crossed we get somewhere.

It's my birthday this weekend. I'm planning on having a family lunch and spending some time with my bff. Nice and quiet, just how I like it. 

That's all I've got for today. 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

An oldie but a goodie

 

Does anyone else get so excited with new products that they forget about the old products they love? I do it all the time. 

A few weeks ago I was sifting through my collection looking for a lip product small enough to fit in the pocked of my work skirt when I came across the Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector. If you love tinted lip balms and you haven't tried these, get on it!

These balms are gorgeous. They're hydrating, taste like cake and give a good wash of shiny, opaque colour. I get around three hours wear before I need to reapply the colour, however the hydrating effect lasts for about six hours. 

 

I love the doe foot sponge applicator and thanks to the squeeze tube I can dispense the exact amount that I need. The sponge is easy to clean which is great for hygiene. 

The one in this photo is a mini size, the full size is 12ml and costs $40.

Thoughts of the week

1. After about a year off, I returned to the gym last week. I thought that I hadn't missed it but now that I've been a few times I've realised that I did really miss it.

I did not miss the silly posers and men who think you're checking them out every time you look in their direction. Note to self, do not go to the gym at 8am on a Saturday morning.

2. It feels good to be exercising again. I got a program done by an exercise physiologist and it's so much better than the ones PT's gave me.

3. I really, really hate paying for shipping. I don't mind if it's a small business, but when it's a huge business it really annoys me.

4. Has anyone discovered an amazing lip balm recently? If you have I need to know about it please.

5. It's been so wet and cold here lately, I love it.

FFS Friday - Heh

Hello beautiful people. How are you all?

Things have been crazy here this week. Both Chai and Tiger are falling apart. 

Wednesday I got to work, was given some news and all I could do was laugh. I had no words, every time I tried to talk I just laughed.

It wasn't bad news, it was frustrating news but it really just was typical of everything that had been going on this week. 

 

In situations like these I just laugh. When I have the choice to laugh or cry I'll choose to laugh and then keep on going. It's all I can do. Get over this wave then wait for the next one to hit. I'd like it if the waves were hitting a little less frequently though.

 

Anyhow, enough of the whinging. I went back to the gym last week. I haven't been in over a year and I was worried that I'd be really weak and really sore but I haven't been. I was a little sore for a few days but not nearly as bad as I expected. I've also retained quite a lot of strength, I can still lift the same weight that I was lifting before which is a pleasant surprise.  

Hopefully being back at the gym will help me get rid of some body fat. I've put on quite a bit of weight lately and am not feeling comfortable in my clothes. I have no idea how much I weigh as I don't believe that's a good indicator of health, but I know that my body fat percentage is too high so I'd like to reduce it. 

That's all I've got for today. My brain has gone into weekend mode already.

Have a wonderful weekend beautiful people.

How to combat winter skin dryness.

I'm so excited to be able to relay advice given to me by a Cosmetic Nurse! Sylvia Crouch has over 15 years of experience in the beauty and cosmetics industry. As the founder of Angel Aesthetics Clinics she has seen many clients come to her with skin concerns and looking to bring life back into dull, dehydrated and dry skin, especially at this time of year and coming into winter.

Check out these 6 tips to live by this Winter; your skin will thank you!

1. Use a gentle cleanser: Avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers that can strip your skin of its natural oils. Look for a gentle cleanser that is formulated for your skin type. Sylvia says, “you would be surprised at the amount of people using a cleanser for oily skin on their dry skin!”

2. Hydration station: Hydration is key! Any chance you get to drink water - DO IT! Sylvia says she’s made a habit of filling a tall glass of water with ice to sip while she gets ready for a night out. Really making an effort to up your water intake throughout the day may be one you’re sick of hearing but it really is the answer to dry skin problems.

3. Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid serum is your best friend! One trick Sylvia shares is to make sure the skin is damp with water to allow the hyaluronic acid to absorb into the skin. 

4. Vitamin C serum: This a great way to brighten and hydrate skin complexion. As well as using a hyaluronic acid serum, make sure you apply a brightening Vitamin C to give your dry winter skin a brightness boost! When using Vitamin C serum the face needs to be dry, so the best application is after your hyaluronic acid serum has dried into the skin. 

5. SPF: If there is one key takeaway Sylvia has to offer, it is always to wear broad-spectrum SPF. UV damage can make dry skin appear even worse. By ‘broad-spectrum’ SPF, this means sunscreen that protects from UVA and UVB rays. 

6. Avoid hot water: Avoid taking hot showers and baths and washing your face with hot water! Many don’t realise the damage this can cause, stripping the skin of natural oils. Sylvia comments: “Take short warm showers and baths but nothing of a ‘hot’ temperature. Lukewarm water when cleansing your face has many benefits including depuffing the early morning skin we often wake up with.”  

It’s simple and doesn’t have to cost you a fortune, taking these steps are key to plump and hydrated skin this winter. 

Thoughts of the week

1. I went back to the gym yesterday. I haven't exercised regularly for over a year. I struggle to fit it in now that I'm working. My plan is to train twice a week however that will depend on what's happening with the boys. I was supposed to train Thursday but couldn't because Chai was home. That's just the way it is when you've got kids.

2. It's winter! I am very happy about this.

3. Where do you get your fun beauty content from now? I'm not liking instagram lately, it's all ads. I just want to see pretty pictures and chat about make-up.

4. The new Burt's Bees Sweet Peach lip balm is lovely.

5. Carmex Peach Mango balm is lovely too.

FFS Friday - Sinking

Hello beautiful people! How are you all?

Life has been tough this week. Chai's anxiety has kicked into overdrive and I have no idea how to help him. He's had anxiety for ages and we've always been able to manage it. This time we are not managing it and it's debilitating. 

He had two days off school this week and when he was at school he stayed in the same room all day. I can't get an emergency appointment with his psych, he can't take medication and I have no idea how to help him. 

It's awful watching my child struggle and not being able to help. It's also exhausting to deal with. When Chai's anxiety is high he talks non stop. It's not just chatter, he expects a response. It's overwhelming and I find it so stressful. I'm an introvert, I like quiet so having someone talk non stop for hours on end hurts my brain, is exhausting and sends me into overload. 

I wish I knew how to help him. I know there isn't an instant fix for anxiety but there must be some way to help. What happens to all the other people with anxiety who can't take medication? What do they do?

There needs to be more help available for children and families who are struggling. There's nowhere for me to go to get advice (that I'm aware of). For all I know I could be making his anxiety worse. I'm trying to keep him going to school so that he keeps his routine and so that he doesn't get too anxious to leave the house but is that the right thing to do? I keep him home on the days when I see he can't function but the days when he's not too bad I send him to school. Maybe that's pointless because he won't leave his classroom? He still does his school work but by staying in one room he's still quite isolated. Am I making it worse? 

I can't get him into a psychiatrist so there's no way of finding out if there is a medication that can help him. His paediatrician won't prescribe medication as every one we've tried has had the opposite effect and made him worse. What am I supposed to do? Who is going to help us? Probably no-one, I'll just have to muddle through it and hope that I can retain my sanity and that I'm not causing lasting damage to Chai. 

I suppose that's what life is about, muddling through, doing the best you can and hoping it all works out. 

Whinge over.

Have a wonderful weekend beautiful people. Never forget you are perfect exactly as you are.