Mental Health Awareness Australia - Tenth Post

It's been a little while since I've posted for MHAA on Facebook, but I posted last night and I thought I would share it with you all here.  For anyone suffering from depression, anxiety or any other mental illness, the MHAA page is a great support.  I will link it below, but here is my tenth post ☓

 

Hi MHAA Members,

I'm sorry it's been a little while since I posted last.  Starting back at work has been quite an adjustment for me, and trying to find a balance between that and everything else is difficult.

I've been doing quite well and getting through my hours at work - some days not too bad, some days a real struggle, but I'm proud of that and what I've been able to achieve these past couple of months.  My blog is doing well and I've been able to be a little more social.

One thing I've realized though, is to never take the 'okay' days for granted.  It tends to always be around the time I start thinking 'hey, I'm doing pretty good at the moment', that I end up falling in a heap again.  So I'm slowly trying to figure out what my limits are and what I can realistically expect from myself at this point in my recovery.

The past few days have been a bit tough.  I've been feeling overwhelmed, and last night I found myself lying awake and crying for no apparent reason - just having that feeling of no matter what I do, or try, nothing will ever make me feel any better.  Whenever these kind of feelings hit, I start to panic and think "well here I go, back to square one again".  Anxiety has that ability to instantly change my logical thinking mind into a completely irrational mess.  It's an unwanted reminder that it wasn't so long ago I was at rock bottom.  But all we can do is our best, right?  No one can ever expect any more than that, even ourselves - especially ourselves!

 

I hope you're all doing well and life is being kind.

 

Sending love & strength always ☓

If you'd like to read some of my previous posts, as well as the beautiful comments I have received from readers and most importantly the information and support offered by MHAA, please visit and like their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mental-Health-Awareness-Australia/

Whitney Eve

The 'Whitney Eve' Fall 2013 line is filled with everything from pretty floral prints, to feminine ruffles, to menswear-inspired and over-sized suits. Whitney's prints are always unique, and this collection doesn't disappoint!

  I've been a fan of Whitney Port ever since I got to know her by watching The Hills, ever so intently. I was a huge fan of the show, and Whitney was by far my favourite character – so sweet and genuine, she's hard not to love!

During her time on The Hills, Whitney held positions at Teen Vogue and People's Revolution – where she worked for Kelly Cutrone, who became a huge influence and helped Whitney launch her line 'Whitney Eve', in 2008. Whitney also worked for Diane Von Furstenberg in New York, where her own spin-off series – The City – was also filmed.

One of my favourite Whitney moments, was when she modelled Hilary Swank's Oscars dress on Good Morning America, for Andre Leon Talley. Whitney fell live on air, as she was walking down the stairs in that amazing dress! I felt so sad for her, but it only made me love her more because it made her that little bit more real.

Whitney Eve has become a great success for Whitney. Celebrities such as Heidi Klum, Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton, are all big fans of the line and have been snapped wearing Whitney's clothes on different occasions.

In February 2012, Whitney released her first book – True Whit: Designing a Life of Style, Beauty and Fun. She was also one of the judges on Britain & Irelands Next Top Model. Whitney's come a long way from The Hills and has made a name for herself in her own right. Her clothes are beautiful, as is she, and I think she deserves every success that comes her way. 

PS:  This post was written for Fashion Global, for which I am a guest contributor.  You can check them out at www.fashionglobalblog.com

Featured Blogger: Meet Michelle From Thou Shalt Not Covet

Recently, I was fortunate enough to speak with Michelle from Thou Shalt Not Covet - a gorgeous blog about all things beauty, fashion and lifestyle - my faves!  I've really been enjoying reading through Michelle's posts and have quickly become a fan.  Michelle was kind enough to allow me to ask her a few questions to share with you all.  So here they are, I hope you enjoy and please do check out Thou Shalt Not Covet at http://thoushaltnotcovet.net/

 

Hi Michelle, I've really been loving your blog - the layout is beautiful and the content is lovely!  What made you start up 'Thou Shalt Not Covet'?

Thank you! I've recently had the layout updated by Peaches and Cream Designs, I'm so happy with it! I started my blog because I've always loved fashion and I have so much makeup I'm running out of room for it! I've been reading blogs for a long time so I thought it would be fun to start my own!

 

That's great - and you obviously have the talent for it!  I noticed you're getting married - congratulations!  I am also in the process of planning my wedding.  When is the big day?  And do you have any tips for preparing for it?

 

Ahh thank you! Its 14th September - not long to go! I'm not the most organised person so I've definitely found using a wedding planner has helped. Also I'd highly recommend delegating jobs to bridesmaids and anyone else you can get to help!

 

Oh wow, so not long now!  I think delegating is definitely a great tip!  Okay, so if you had to choose one all time favourite beauty item, what would it be?

 

I use eyeliner every day and can't survive without foundation, but I'd say my favourite item has to be lipstick. I always feel fabulous when I wear a gorgeous lipstick. Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl is my all time favourite!

 

Sounds beautiful, I think I'll have to look out for that one!  Finally, do you have any advice to give other aspiring bloggers on how to achieve their goals?

 

Well it depends what your goals are really. For general advice though I have three tips!

 

1. Speak from the heart, be honest and be yourself.

2. Buy the best camera you can afford. Great pictures count for a lot.

3. Enjoy yourself and have fun!

 

I love that!  Such great advice, and you are definitely doing all of the above judging by how lovely your blog is!  Thank you so much for chatting with me, Michelle!  I wish you all the very best, both personally and for Thou Shalt Not Covet ☓

 

July Favourites

Yet another month has almost gone by (far too quickly), so it's time to share my favourites with you for this month.  Here they are...

 

My Chi Chi lipstick in Hot Stuff.  No surprises there I know, as I've mentioned it a few times already.  I just can't stress enough, how much I LOVE this lipstick!  I'd even go so far as to say that it's the best one I've ever had!  The colour is so pretty and the perfect medium between orange and red.  Not too over the top, but still bright at the same time.  It's long lasting, creamy and just... perfect!  LOVE!

 

Benefit's POREfessional Primer.  I mentioned this one in a previous haul post, and I've really been enjoying it!  It does exactly what it claims to do - minimizes pores, makes the skin smooth and velvety, and of course it makes my makeup last a whole lot longer.  I really do love this primer - it makes such a difference, which I admit I wasn't really expecting.  I'll definitely be repurchasing this one over and over.

 

 

My new Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machine.  My fiancé came home with one of these last week to surprise me, as I've been wanting one forever!  I was so excited to try it and I haven't been disappointed.  I'm still figuring out what my favourite capsules are, but so far I'm loving the cappuccino and the hot chocolate - so good and so easy with this machine!

 

Vine.  Yes, I caved and created a Vine account.  I did it mostly because I wanted to see what all the hype was about, but now I'm hooked!  It's such a different and fun idea - love it!

 

Snooki & Jwoww.  I never thought I'd be keen on this show, since I wasn't all that fond of Jersey Shore.  But I happened to catch an episode by accident, and I found myself really loving it!  I've been addicted ever since and now that I'm caught up with all the episodes, I can't wait for the next ones.  I really am quite the sucker for these types of shows - I can't help it!

 

 

Boohoo.com.  I love, love, love the clothes at Boohoo!  I'm a bit late on the bandwagon, but better late than never.  I plan on doing a haul sometime soon - can't wait!

 

Say It Ain't So Bad by Brandon & Leah.  I'm in love with this song and I've had it on repeat for a few weeks now.  Leah's voice is so beautiful and it's just a really lovely song.  If you haven't heard it, definitely head over to iTunes and give it a listen.

 

 

Well, that's it for this month - time to start making my list of next months faves!  Please feel free to comment your own favourites below, I'd love to hear them ☓

 

Chi Chi

I'm really enjoying my new Chi Chi lipstick in Hot Stuff, which I featured in my previous haul.  I've been wearing it every day and it's such a pretty colour.  It's long lasting, goes on easily and has a beautiful creamy look.

Definitely happy with this one!

 

BFF Catch-Up and Benefit Haul

This weekend, one of my best and most beautiful friends came to visit me from interstate.  I love my time with Mandy and without fail, we always include a shopping trip on our 'to-do' list when we're together.

 

So while we were out makeup shopping, we decided to do a little haul at the Benefit counter.  I love Benefit - they have the most amazing products and their staff are always so lovely!  Mandy and I would have come home with the whole store if we could have, but unfortunately it wasn't to be.  We did pick up a few special things though, so here's what we got between the two of us.

 

Our Benefit (and Chi Chi) purchases

The first thing we both ended up purchasing was the POREfessional Pro Balm Primer, which we were lucky enough to pick up in a pack with a sample eye cream as well.  It minimizes pores and makes the skin velvety soft and ready for makeup.  Makeup really clings to this product and stops it from sliding off, as well as giving a flawless finish.  I'm loving this so far and I'm sure I'll end up repurchasing.

 

We also picked up a double pack of the 'They're Real' mascara, which we split.  I haven't tried this out yet, but I've heard such great things about it and the brush looks perfect!  I can't wait to try it out.

 

The next thing I got was the Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain.  I'm a big fan of lip stains, so I was sold on this pretty quickly.  It's a great, natural colour and perfect for wearing on it's own or underneath lipstick.  It lasts really well and soaks in quickly.  I'm really happy with it so far!

 

Mandy purchased a smaller sized version of the stain in a different shade, Posietint.  It works the same way as the Benetint, but is a little thicker and a beautiful pink colour.  It looks amazing against Mandy's olive skin and came in a double ended tube with a peppermint 'teeth-whitening' lip gloss on the other end.  I'm starting to wish I had have picked one up for myself as well!

 

The next thing Mandy got, was the Fine One-One sheer brightening colour for cheeks and lips.  The packaging on this is so cute and it's such a beautiful product.  It slides on like a blush and highlighter in one, in a creamy type stick.  The colour is so pretty on and it's super easy to blend as much or as little as you like.  In the way of highlighters, Mandy also got the Sun Beam golden bronze complexion highlighter.  This one looks so pretty on darker skin.  It just leaves a beautiful gold sheen on the skin and only the tiniest amount is needed.

 

The last thing I got was a Chi Chi lipstick in 'Hot Stuff'.  I've been looking for an orange based lipstick for a while and this one is a great colour - not too orange, not too red.  It's long lasting and leaves a lovely creamy finish and I'm really enjoying it so far.

 

So there it is - our little BFF haul!  I'm in love with my gorgeous new goodies and of course I love my Mandy - hope she comes back soon!

 

Apologies for not including RRP's this time around, but all info can be found at www.benefitcosmetics.com

 

PS: Don't forget to check out my previous post featuring a lovely giveaway by Clearasil - all you need to do is comment for your chance to win a beautiful new product!

A Teeny Weeny Drugstore Haul

This week I picked up a few little drugstore items while browsing through Kmart.  Of course I had to make a stop at the cosmetics section while passing through!

The first thing I got is a makeup setting spray by Australis.  I decided to try this because for years I've been guilty of setting my makeup with hairspray - which is effective but so unhealthy!  So I picked up this spray and thought I'd give it a try.  I really wasn't expecting all that much from it, but I've been really surprised at how much I'm loving it!  It works really well and contains rose water and aloe vera, so it's nourishing and smells so lovely!  I really love this product and I'll definitely be repurchasing!

Australis Make-Up Finishing Spritz RRP: $14.95
Photo courtesy of www.priceline.com.au

The next thing I got, is a new concealer.  I chose to try one from the new Maybeline Fit Me range, because I really wanted a liquid concealer.  I love this product!  It goes on so, super easily and blends in quickly for - what I would call - a light-to-medium coverage.  I really like this because it covers nicely, but is not too thick or claggy like some concealers. Once it's blended in, it looks really natural and even.  I'm definitely happy with my choice!

Maybeline Fit Me Concealer RRP: $14.95
My shade: Fair Clair
Photo courtesy of www.priceline.com.au

  The last thing I got, is a nail polish from Face of Australia.  The colour I chose is 'Have Your Cupcake And Eat It Too', and it's part of a limited edition range of pastel colours.  I really like the polish itself - it goes on evenly and sets quickly - but I must admit I'm a bit disappointed in the colour.  I just don't think it looks as nice on, as it does in the bottle.  In the bottle it looks almost like a pale lilac, but on the nail it seems to be very pink.  I do tend to go through fazes when it comes to colour choices though - so next week I'll probably change my mind and love it!

Face of Australia Pastels in Have Your Cupcake and Eat It Too RRP: $4.95
Photo courtesy of www.faceofaustralia.com.au

All in all, I'm really happy with my little purchases and I'm really enjoying using my new goodies ☓

 

PS: Don't forget to check out my previous post featuring a lovely giveaway by Clearasil - all you need to do is comment for your chance to win a beautiful new product!