03
Nov
2012

Random Favorites for October

categories: Favorites, General/Life, Random Favorites

 

Hi All!

So here is part two of my monthly favorites, a slightly random collection of things I have been loving this month with a special Callie favorite included too (I know, I know, I’m Crazy)!

First up are these amazing iced tea drinks by the Arizona brand. Holy wow these are delicious and full on flavour! I have been enjoying these as a little exam study treat every now and again and the two above (pomegranate green tea and iced peach tea) are my favorites although I have yet to find one I don’t love. Quite sweet but as a good friend advised, watering them down a bit makes them a bit less full on with the sugar load. I also love the packaging and kinda almost didn’t want to chuck them away (I warned ya’ll I was crazy)

Keeping in line with the tea theme here is my tea of choice for this month. I think I raved about this in a Monday Made Me Smile post but thought I’d just mention it again cause I love it so much! This range by Dilmah is yet to disappoint (especially at less than $3 on special). This specific one with rose and french vanilla was recommended by my future mother in law. I love the full ceylon flavour with the rich vanilla taste and the rose primarily comes through in scent. Seriously, I just sit sniffing my tea while I’m supposed to by studying…so strange. Turkish delight in tea form. Delightful.

With study and exams comes stress and with stress comes emotional eating. Okay fine I do it all the time. Edd and I have a bar of chocolate which we enjoy for desert and getting a different one each week is always a sadly exciting decision. This peanut butter one by Whittaker’s is divine! I love peanut butter and chocolate and you don’t really see it a whole lot in NZ so I was very happy when this came out here. Delicious and rich so a couple pieces is enough to satisfy my chocolate cravings (usually…). I do wish they had it with dark chocolate though to balance some of the sweetness…mmmm

Last up for my random favorites is this diffusion set by Tribal Infusion in the scent Moroccan Orange. I got this for like $10 at Postie Plus and have been in love with the scent ever since. Leaves my bedroom smelling like fragrant citrus, perfect for spring!

Last up is Callie’s favorite of the month! We got her these when she returned from having her stitches taken out of her tail and she is obsessed! She loves cheesy stuff and is constantly trying to steal my Twisties  or grab some cheese from my dinner so this was an obvious choice with its cheesy flavour. Am I weird for having a cat favorite? Probably. She can even help herself if we hold the bag open.

And just in case there was any doubt here is Callie trying to get some whilst I was taking photos for this post. A rustle of this bag and she comes running!

And that’s it for this months favorites! I look forward to seeing what November brings along with Thanksgiving (yay for having an American friend who celebrates it here in NZ!)

Xx

02
Nov
2012

Friday’s Letters

categories: Friday's Letters

Dear October: Where did you go? Time slips through my fingers like sand and I find that slightly terrifying. Dear Summer: I am very thankful for the increase in beautiful blue skies and warm weather but it does make it much harder to feel like studying when all I want to do is take my book to the beach and read the day away. Dear Exams: 3 done and 2 to go. The light at the end of this 4 year long tunnel of my conjoint is becoming slightly brighter. Please keep behaving and don’t throw any unexpected surprises my way. Dear Green Tea: I don’t know how you do it but thank you for being so delicious, relaxing and guilt-free. Dear Washing Hamper: Why is it that no matter how many loads of washing I do I can’t seem to get you out of control. You are truly painful and I would really like it if you just washed, folded and put yourself away. Thanks. Dear Friends: I don’t know how I have become friends with so many amazing people through twitter and blogs and what not but I feel truly blessed to feel like I am surrounded by like-minded people who are beautiful inside and out! It’s nice to have my faith in human kind back. Dear Edd:  Thanks for making me amazing curries when I am too busy taking 10 billion photos of about 5 products for my blog.

Xx

p.s. sorry for the double post action today, I was totally meaning to post my favorites yesterday but obviously that didn’t happen…

02
Nov
2012

Foxy Favorites for October

categories: Beauty, Beauty Favorites

Hi All!

October favorites are a bit late just due to exams and whatnot but here they are! Somehow I didn’t end up with many favorites which was a bit of surprise but I think study has stolen my inspiration and so I just went with a few basics I have been using throughout the month and loving.

Body Shop Fragrance in Indian Night Jasmine

First up here is my favorite fragrance for this month: Indian Night Jasmine from The Body Shop. I was lucky enough to win this and wasn’t expecting to use it that much as it is quite a strong, musky scent but after a few times the sultry scent of jasmine really grew on me. The “heaviness” of such a musky scent is less noticeable than I expected and the floral jasmine notes are rather delightful. Definitely a slightly more grown up scent and great for nights out (although I also use this during the day). The lasting time is good but not amazing but one spray is all you need to get a good fragrance that isn’t too overwhelming so having to reapply isn’t much of an issue.

Chi Chi Viva La Diva Matte Lipstick in Boy Magnet

Next up is one of my two favorite lipsticks! I have a few of these ChiChi lipsticks and I am seriously impressed! I chose Boy Magnet to show you because I was so happy to find a great matte red that looks amazing and lasts forever! Bimbo would be the other amazing shade which is a matte hot pink. Definitely check out the ChiChi range of lipsticks if they’re available.

Nivea Hand Cream: Pure and Natural (Protection)

This hand cream with argan oil from Nivea is my new favorite! It’s very affordable (I believe I got this for around $4 on special at the supermarket) and has a good level of moisture without leaving any greasy feeling behind. There are definitely hand creams that are more moisturizing but I like using this in the day when I’m on the go. The scent is lovely too, normally I stick to unscented hand creams just due to sensitive skin but the fragrance is fresh and subtle, and I haven’t experienced any skin irritations.

Covergirl Exact Eyelights for Blue eyes (#710)

I don’t often wear a lot of eye makeup if any at all (besides mascara) but this quad palette from Covergirl is one that I constantly reach for if I want to wear something a little different. I love the green sage shade in the crease and the highlight shade the most. All the shades have fairly good pigmentation except for the blue. Whether it works well in brightening my eyes or not, I have no idea but all in all an easy to work with set of shades.


Maybelline Coloursensational in Pink Me Up (045)

I have had this for ages but it got lost in the bright pinks and reds for a while but lately I have been reaching for it a lot. This shade is a beautiful light warm pink that comes off as a soft nude pink on my lips. Very easy to wear and although it doesn’t last much more than a couple of hours its a breeze to reapply and isn’t very noticeable while it fades. I wear this all the time when I don’t feel like keeping a bright lip maintained throughout the day.

Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate oil

I have so many lip balms it’s actually ridiculous so when I first tried the original Burt’s Bees lip balms and not liking it at all I was disappointing and a bit confused after hearing so many people rave about it. I gave the brand another chance when I tried this replenishing lip balm and I absolutely love it. The red balm gives a very slight tint to the lips but I mainly love it because it is incredibly moisturizing and leaves my lips feeling hydrated for ages! Has a slight scent but its not at all unpleasant. Sorry for its rather rough condition, this is one of those lip balms I just chuck in my bag each day.

OPI: Every Month is Ocktoberfest

Last up here is my nail polish favorite. This is the only nail polish from the Germany collection that I got but I absolutely adore it! It looked a bit average in the bottle but once on the nail its complex mix of mesmerizing burgundy/copper shimmer (which is obvious in the bottle shot) and a beautiful purple in the light (which is kind of captured in the second shot). Once I’m in the sun I can’t stop looking at it. Seriously, it gets pretty embarrassing. A beautiful colour especially for autumn/winter but as usual I can’t stop wearing it regardless of the weather.

There you go! My beauty favorites for the month of October. Keep an eye out for some random favorites which will be up tomorrow :)

Hope you all had a great month and that next month is even better.

Xx

30
Oct
2012

Albums of October

categories: Albums of the Month, Music

Hi Everyone,

Hasn’t this month flown by? I have 3 more exams and then my final undergraduate year is over. I am feeling equal measures of excitement and terror. Here are the slightly random collection of albums I have been loving this month. It contains some of my favorite albums of the entire year!

1. Metronomy: The English Riviera

So this is my definite favorite of the month. I actually listened to the album once through and wasn’t that interested or impressed and took a couple weeks before I happened upon it again. Surprisingly, I then fell in love with the quirky indie pop beats that this English band has produced in their third album. The songs are full of variety and are totally catchy. Seriously though, this style of music is so hard for me to describe, sometimes I wonder why I bother to try in these posts haha. I absolutely cannot get enough of this album. It makes me want to dance which is strange because the last thing I would do is dance. Upbeat, unique, fun, quirky, 80’s synth, a little bit alternative. I love it. If there is one album from this post you take a look at let it be this! You’ll probably either love or hate it but its something a bit different :)
Songs you all must listen to: Everything Goes My Way, The Look and The Bay.

2. Miike Snow: Happy to You

So I have always loved music by Miike Snow and so I am not sure why it took me so long to listen to their new album. After listening to it a few times this definitely grew on me. Miike Snow is indie pop with a lot of great dance beats thrown in and that’s the best I can describe it. The songs are catchy and fun to do dishes to (this is a huge factor for me!). I am not a dance music person normally so although there is a definite beat in the album it doesn’t overshadow the interesting lead vocals and the pure gold that is the soaring tunes. I personally love the strange combination of elements that really come together throughout this album. Also an appearance by Lykke Li goes down very well.
Songs you all must listen to: The Wave, Devil’s Work, Bavarian #1, Garden

File:Babelcoverart.jpg

3. Mumford and Sons: Babel

I loved loved loved Mumford and Sons’ last album and was highly excited when I heard they had released a new album! I had never expected to love the style of rustic but upbeat banjo playing and yet totally fell in love with Sigh No More. So how did the new album live up to my high expectations? Obviously I enjoyed this album otherwise I wouldn’t be including it in this monthly round up. The title track Babel is definitely catchy and emotive, everything their last album had captured perfectly. I’m not sure if this album is as strong as the last but it definitely satisfies my cravings for the rather addictive banjo playing and absolutely lust worthy voice of the lead singer that captures so much emotion in each note I can hardly handle it. Seriously, if this guy ever spoke to me I would probably die on the spot. Someone give him my phone number? Anyway… great album and worth a listen if you loved the last! No big changes but sort of what we would expect following their debut. And that’s just fine with me :)
Songs you all must listen to: Babel, I Will Wait, Hopeless Wanderer, Where Are You Now

4. Kings of Convenience: Quiet is the New Loud

Lastly I have the only album that isn’t a new one for me. This album has been a favorite for countless years and recently I found it in the depths of my computer and have been wallowing in it ever since. Okay I don’t know if wallowing is the right word. The duo from Norway have a soft and gentle acoustic sound that I love very much. The slow but catchy beats are paired with harmonized voices and idyllic acoustics. Definitely an album for a relaxing afternoon in the sun. This is my “calm down” album when stress levels are getting a bit intense. Somehow I haven’t got my hands on their new album so expect that in the future… Okay wait apparently their have been two albums since this. Wow. My bad.
Songs you all must listen to: I Don’t Know What I Can Save You From, Summer on the Westhill, Parallel Lines

29
Oct
2012

Made Me Smile

categories: Made Me Smile

Hi All,

I hope everyone has had a great week. Today I had my second exam (out of 5) and I have another one tomorrow so this post is a 5 minute throw up and hope I don’t make too many spelling mistakes haha (I seem to do those a lot lately). Here are some of the highlights of my slightly boring week of exams and study.

This amazing bunch of goodies was kindly bought for my by my mum! She went to some big sale while I studied my wee behind off and managed to choose products that I totally would have chosen for myself. She knows me so well (especially when it comes to nail polish). I also have a review for the mascara coming up in a wee while as I love trying new ones out.

This week was the week of birthdays with Mr 4 turning into Mr 5 and Dad also celebrating his birthday! These little tarts were my baking gift for dad. Having never ventured into the world of tarts before this was an interesting experience but I was actually really happy with how they turned out. Chocolate orange on the top and lemon curd below. Both rather scrumptious.

A huge highlight of this week was Callie getting her crazy, annoying Elizabethan collar removed along with the stitches on her tail (or rather what’s left of it…awkward). She has been so much happier and more like her crazy self since, as exemplified with this blurry shot of her helping herself to a treat.

Okay so I am not an Outfit of the day kind of person (I generally don’t buy many clothes as a poor student and wear jeans and a top of some description most days) but on Sunday it was birthday party time for Mr 5 and I couldn’t help but snap a photo of this dress as it is definitely one of my favorites!

Mr 5’s birthday party was held at Kelly Tarlton’s, the main aquarium here in Auckland.It turned out to be heaps of fun despite having 12 crazy 4/5 years olds running around high on sugar. The penguins were my absolute favorite  along with the big stingrays as pictured below which for some reason just seem like giant puppy dogs of the sea.

So there’s my week in smiles! Wish me luck in my exam tomorrow :)

Xx

26
Oct
2012

Friday’s Letters

categories: Friday's Letters

Dear Dad: Happy birthday for yesterday! Thank you for teaching me how to ride my bike, play chess, experiment with food and most importantly, thank you for teaching me that my possibilities in life are endless with a head full of dreams and a positive attitude. Dear Saturday Psych Exam: Thank you kindly for ruining my weekend. Is nothing sacred anymore? Dear Sunny Weather: You brighten up my days and lighten my mood. Please don’t ever leave. Dear Revlon: Please bring the kissable balm stains to NZ quickly so I can buy them all!!!  Dear Callie: I know you are loving being back outside, all healed up! I love seeing you back to your normal, crazy self, just please don’t go getting yourself hurt again. Dear Essay Mark: Where are you and why are you taking so long? It’s been over a month now and the exam is fast approaching. Dear Edd: You are so amazingly smart it boggles my mind. Our babies will be tiny geniuses with a little bit of crazy thrown in from my side.

24
Oct
2012

Perfection

categories: General/Life

I’m Not Perfect

I’m not the perfect daughter, sister, fiancee, friend, student, cat-mum, cleaner, baker, blogger, wedding planner or Christian.

I Make Mistakes

Sometimes I hurt other’s feelings. I forget birthdays. I forget how to say sorry. I get stubborn. I swear unnecessarily. I get jealous. I lie to others . I lie to myself. I forget to do things. I don’t treat others with respect. I don’t treat myself with respect. I leave everything to the last minute. I lose important stuff. I eat too much crap. I yell. I forget to take my vitamins. I avoid housecleaning. I forget to take my makeup off before bed. I put others down. I put myself down. I forget to be thankful. I over-mix my muffins. I cry too easily. I don’t tell the people I love that I love them enough. I worry too much. I watch too much reality TV. I forget to pray.

This is obviously not an exhaustive list.

But I try.

I try and enjoy each moment. I try and say sorry when I know I’m wrong. I try and ask for help; from friends, family and God. I try and forgive people who make the same mistakes I do. I try and treat others the way I want to be treated. I try and smile at strangers more often (although some people find that creepy). I try to pay attention to the recipes more. I try and be a little more organised without losing the ability to enjoy spontaneous moments of fun. I try to tell others how beautiful they are. I try to think about all the good things in my life and all the amazing people who I love and who love me. I try not to worry so much about the future and enjoy the present as I live it. I try and do kind things for others without expecting anything in return. I try to take better care of my body. I try to recognize the source of my jealousy and insecurities and work on not feeling them anymore. I try to study harder. I try and be there for my friends and family when they need someone. I try to become a slightly better person.

Perfection, for me, is an ideal that is not worth worrying about. All we can do is aim to improve and get better each day. Knowing where I go wrong and what my weaknesses are allows me to try and become a better person.

As hard as it is sharing some of my weaknesses and mistakes in life I know that we all experience moments of failure and disappointment,  either with ourselves or others. But life is about growing and moving and changing and that is what I hope to keep doing for everyday that I am lucky enough to be here :)

Hope you are all having an amazing week. Please feel free to share some of your faults so I don’t feel so awkward baring all 😛

 

22
Oct
2012

Made Me Smile

categories: Made Me Smile

So last week was the end of my lectures for my last undergraduate semester. Pretty exciting but a bit of an anti-climax to be honest, especially with the looming exams starting this Saturday (yup, even my weekends are victim to the hell that is my 5 exams). I can’t wait for exams to be over. I have so many posts I want to write but am lacking so much time at the moment and these 5 minute posts seem to be all I can muster :(

Regardless, here are the few small things that kept me smiling all week.

By now I am sure you aren’t surprised to see tea high on my list of weekly highlights. This is a new favorite and I have been completely in love with the sumptuous taste of this ceylon tea. It smells like Turkish delight and  tastes even better. A big pot of this each night has made the study seem a bit sweeter.

To celebrate the end of lectures I made some chocolate cupcakes with my first ever attempt at chocolate buttercream (I know, but I’m pretty new to this cupcake stuff). These were amazing and probably my favorite cupcakes (me-made) so far.

Thursday I received my first ever Sample Bar box. You can read all about it right here! This definitely made a nice break from a week full of Uni and getting something in the mail other than bills is always a true delight!

I dunno where this image comes from but during the week a lovely lady, Mish, sent an email to me with this and some rather fitting (adapted) Police lyrics. This made me giggle in a room full of silent students, studying away, and so I thought it definitely deserved a mention. Owls are pretty awesome (not as great as foxes though).

As usual I arrive late to every great party and these Arizona Tea drinks are amazing!!! Again, Mish told me all about these weeks ago and I was like “oh cool” and that was it. On my last day at Uni I saw them at the Munchie Mart (our awesome Uni dairy thing) and grabbed the most appealing. All in all, the nicest tea drink I’ve tried. Also, the bottles are so gorgeous that I can hardly bear to throw them out. Go get some!

Saturday involved Edd and I indulging in our new favorite treat. Eggs Benedict at St Lukes. Seriously amazing. I almost wish I didn’t enjoy them so much. My wallet would definitely thank me.

Lastly, Sunday saw me baking away with Mr 4 and Mr 10 (banana muffins at the request of Mr 4). This photo captures how Mr 4 is for the majority of our baking time and explains why my post-baking clean up can take quite  a while. He just finds it very exciting 😛 Mr 10 on the other hand takes baking (like all things) very seriously and so coping with a crazy 4 yr old can sometimes be a struggle. Its always a fun experience though :)

Here’s the more peaceful image I posted on Instagram. A rare moment of cooperation and tranquility. Don’t worry, this didn’t last long.

Hope you are all having a lovely week! Time to get back to studying (yay…)

Xx

19
Oct
2012

Friday’s Letters

categories: Friday's Letters, General/Life

20121019-211435.jpg

Dear Pizza: You make my belly happy. I shall worry about your horrific caloric content at some other point. Dear Lectures: You are now completely over for my undergraduate degree(s)!! Dear Exams: See you next Saturday. Thanks for throwing 3/5 exams at me in the first 4 days. Dear Callie: Only 4 more days and then that annoying collar can leave us all alone! Dear Auckland: Please start behaving like it is actually Spring. I keep putting my big jumpers away and then having to dig them out a day later. Too confusing. Dear Fawlty Towers: I love that I can watch you over and over and you never stop being hilarious! Dear Edd: Can’t wait to get married to you! Even though nothing is ready yet … Lets just do fish and chips on the beach?

17
Oct
2012

Sample Bar Glam Pack!

categories: Beauty

Hi All!

So today was an exciting moment for me as I received my first ever beauty subscription box! Sample Bar has started the only New Zealand beauty subscription service and this is the starting box that they have sent out to the first 400 people who were on the waiting list. The service is $25 each month to receive a pack of 5 products. So I thought I would show you guys the products that are in this first box and give you some of my first impressions. Firstly I think the way it is packaged is really elegant! I love the black and white simple design and have many ideas for what I can use these boxes for in the future… (okay not that many, but I’m still thinking!)

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