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Thursday 28 August 2014

The $3 life saver.

There's a time in every person's life when they find that product that saves them. That product that is multipurpose, budget-friendly, and that has 'can't-live-without-it' status. What is this holy grail you ask? Paw Paw ointment.

I've had a tube of Paw Paw ointment sitting at the bottom of my handbag for years, and it was only just recently that I delved into the depths of my bag to use it again, (after becoming increasingly irritated with how much lip balm I was having to use to make my lips semi-ok).

How I lived without using this for so long, I have no idea, but I'm very happy to have it in my life again!

Brand-wise, paw paw ointment is pretty much the same across the board, (and many many brands have their version of it). I've tried the Lucas' one (which is about $5 and a cult favourite) and the Beauty Care Co. one ($3 at Kmart). Price-wise they're pretty similar, and if we're really splitting hairs, the Kmart one smells slightly nicer because it has aloe vera and shea butter in it.

And don't let the word 'ointment' put you off.  This stuff is balmy, but not overly sticky, and not coloured either.

When it comes to the uses of this product, it's really up to you.  I personally mainly use it a lip balm, but you can also use it on dry skin, cuts, chafing, rashes, insect bites... Anywhere really!

So if you're looking for that product that could change your life (or make your lips slightly nicer at least!), paw paw ointment may be up your street.

Beth. x





Thursday 21 August 2014

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Review

I'd heard a lot of buzz surrounding the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturising Lip Colour Balms, and as an avid lip product lover I thought I'd give them a go.


First of all, price-wise, these are not exactly cheap at $35 each, (but that didn't stop me picking up two... I have an addiction).  And if it weren't for the price, I think I'd be a lot happier with the product.

Don't get me wrong, I like these a lot.  And yes, the packaging does look relatively expensive. They're  also in crayon/stick form, so they apply really easily and are perfect for on the go. The colours themselves are really pigmented, and there's a good range of colours (that seems to be expanding quite regularly).   And as an added bonus, they're actually quite moisturising, which is nice to find. (I normally wear matte, so it was nice to have some moisture).

However, I've noticed that they do tend to bleed a bit. They also wear off around the middle of the mouth relatively easily, which I could understand if you're eating or drinking a lot, but they wear off with just general wear, which irks me a bit, because I'm lazy when it comes to reapplying. This may not be the case with the lighter colours in the range though, as I only picked up 03- Mightiest Maraschino and 08-Grandest Grape.
Top: Mightiest Maraschino, Bottom: Grandest Grape.





















(On a sidenote, 06-Plum Russian in the Bourjois Colourboost lip crayon range is a very good dupe for Grandest Grape! It's not quite as pigmented, but otherwise it's almost the same).

I quite like the colours I picked up, (although there was many more that I wanted to choose!) Mightiest Maraschino is a bright red, that when it wears off, looks slightly on the pink side. Grandest Grape, as the name suggests, is a more purple/wine coloured red.

Overall, I think if these were less expensive, I would be much happier with them.  They are a lovely product, and have some great colours, but I probably won't be picking up any more at this point.

What do you guys think? Have you tried any of these, or do you have any lip product recommendations?

Beth. x


Thursday 14 August 2014

Shuffle to the shuffle: My music, mixed up.

I love music. There's no ifs or buts about it. I'm a fan of lots of unsigned or not well known Australian bands, and I love discovering new music (or old music). I also love checking out what other people are listening to. So I thought I'd put my ipod on shuffle, and show you guys the first twelve songs that come up.  This could end badly... But we'll see how we go.

(You can click on the link after each song to listen to the song - if they're online, and I'll put each band's social media link as well... All for ease of music stalking!)



1.     The Fallout - Woodlock
These boys from Melbourne have really hit their straps with their recent EP release. Their style is       folky with a bit of a rock/alternative edge to it, and very easy to listen to. (I reviewed the EP here).
     
https://www.facebook.com/WoodlockMusic?fref=ts

2.     Right Through You - Alanis Morissette (video)
A hit from Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album of the late 90's, this song is angsty rock, that is so easy to belt out when you're feeling angry.
     
https://www.facebook.com/alanismorissette?fref=ts

3.     Inside Our World - Bleached Academy
This band sadly is no more, but they had some brilliant pop/punk tracks, with the very talented Hayley Warner as the energetic vocallist.


4.     Trailed - Gossling (audio)
Helen Croome a.k.a Gossling's unique voice is hauntingly beautiful... Enough said.




5.     We Won't Run - Sarah Blasko (video)
Another Australian songstress with a beautiful voice, Sarah Blasko is a pop musician with a quirky twist.  


6.     Different Worlds - Jes Hudak & George Krikes (video)
This song was used to advertise a talent show in Australia, which catapulted it to the top of the charts.  It's such a beautiful song, with a continuous simple piano melody throughout.


7.     City & Colour - Thirst (video)
This song by music legend Dallas Green (a.k.a City and Colour), is a catchy pop/alternative track, that will have you tapping your foot in no time.


8.     The Sun Won't Sleep - New Empire (video)     
Probably the hardest working boys in Australian music, New Empire's new album In A Breath features this upbeat, catchy pop track, with lovely lyrical content.



9.     Carry On - Motor Ace (video)
A song from my favourite band of all time.  This classic Australian alternative/rock song was popular in the early 2000's... It also happens to appear on an album which is very hard to come by nowadays, (I explain why here).


10.     Empty Town - Red Ink (video)
This four-piece from Melbourne spent a long time crafting the ideal debut album, and it was worth the wait.  This track is the perfect mix of dreamy, synthy pop, and edgier rock.




11.    Siamese - Motor Ace (video)
Another Motor Ace song on the list... Surprise, surprise!  This is my current favourite song.  Again, it's an alternative/rock track.  The lyrics in this are brilliant too.


12.      Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap (video)
Another Australian band who have taken Europe by storm, The Temper Trap are known for their pop/rock sound, with soaring vocals and killer chorus'.



So there you go, a taste of what I'm listening to, (I'm surprised there's no Michael Paynter on there though!)  Almost 80% Australian music, (my true love).

What do you think?  Leave any music recommendations below, they'd be much appreciated!

Beth. x









Thursday 7 August 2014

Getting deep up in here #2... Social phobia.

I think I have a mild social anxiety disorder/phobia.
And before you say "everyone gets nervous in social situations sometimes", let me explain.
Social phobias can be generalised into a fear of either performance situations (eg. giving a speech, or being watched whilst performing a task), or (in my case) situations involving social interaction (eg. making small talk, meeting new people). It can also be specific, ie. fearing a specific social situation(s).
Now I have no problem with performance situations. Put me in front of an audience with a microphone in hand, and I will enjoy every second, but when it comes to more interpersonal situations, that's where the stress kicks in.
In general, I am a worrier. I'm a person who thinks too much about things, and tends to dwell on certain situations.
In social environments, such as parties or out clubbing, I get even more stressed. I generally feel really uncomfortable and conspicuous. I spend a lot of time mulling over how uncool I am in comparison to the other people there, or thinking of how I have nothing interesting to say. Sometimes, I can't even muster the confidence to talk to people that I do know. When I do manage to talk to someone I either struggle to find a topic of conversation, or end up having word vomit and saying things that just make me sound strange.
I then come home... Usually after I've bailed early, and then I stay up far too late thinking about all the things I should've done or said... Like I am currently doing now, after bailing early from an 18th, where I spent most of the time talking to my parents and my parents friends (which I didn't mind too much, apart from the various instances of word vomit when they asked me about certain things) instead of people my own age.
It's not just at the social occasion, but afterwards too. I normally find myself sitting in my car, trying to not cry or hyperventilate or both. Which is probably why I try and avoid parties or clubbing, being incredibly glad when I have a legitimate excuse not to attend. And avoidance, I know, is as a result of the snowballing worries and obsessive thinking which characterise this phobia.
And don't get me wrong, I love hanging out with my friends, and doing fun stuff, but the minute it involves people outside my ring of friends, the worry sets in.
Even at uni I sometimes find myself overly conscious of what others are thinking about me. Making phone calls is another thing I struggle with sometimes, and I often put it off to the very last minute.
I am currently studying psychology, so I guess a good place to start was to psychoanalyse my own behaviour.
Writing this, I know it probably sounds worse than it is, but if you can relate in any way, let me know.

Beth. x

(***** I want to stress that I haven't been officially diagnosed, and I'm not a fully qualified psychologist yet, so I can't say my own self diagnosis is correct. However, judging from the VERY mild symptoms I have noticed, this is what I have come up with. I am aware that Social Anxiety Disorder can be debilitating to those experiencing it, and if you think you are, please talk to someone you trust, or seek information from places such as: