Filling a room with balloons... It's possible.

 

When I received a message from a friend of mine - about this time last year - inviting me and a few others over to blow up enough balloons to fill her bedroom, I had a bit of a chuckle... And then I realised she was deadly serious.  

So along we all went, and blew up hundreds of balloons to tick this item off her bucket list.  At times it was a struggle, and our fingers were swollen for days afterwards from tying the balloons, but we accomplished what we set out to do.

Keep in mind, we are all almost 20, so it was not the most natural thing to be doing, but we had an amazing time.

The photo evidence of that day has never properly graced the internet... Until now.

Ingrid, with her lifelong dream fulfilled.

Beth. x

Brushes for newbies.

I’m a relative newbie when it comes to all things beauty and makeup related. I still struggle applying eye shadow, and I don’t even attempt eyeliner, (even though I’ve watched enough tutorials, so I should probably be able to).

However, there’s one thing I think I have gotten down, and that’s the brushes I need to use to apply my base.

L-R: Real Techniques Powder Brush, Setting Brush, Stippling Brush, Expert Face Brush.

At the moment I use all Real Techniques brushes (which you can get here and here), and I have to say, they make my whole life a lot easier.

First I apply liquid foundation, and after using my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to do so, I’ll never use my fingers again!  It makes the process so much quicker, and with the slightly domed shape of the brush, it works well to get into all the creases that you need to.  My second choice for foundation is the Stippling Brush, which is a more flat brush, it’s not quite as efficient as the Expert Face Brush, but it still does the job fairly well.  I’ve tried using these brushes with BB and CC creams too, and I don’t think they work as well applying these products.

Then I get my trusty  Setting Brush, to blend concealer, and to apply setting powder on those important areas, like under the eyes and on the nose. 

And last but not least, I apply my setting powder, or any other powder products with (surprise, surprise) my Powder Brush.

(Excuse the slightly dirty brushes, I had just washed them... Clearly didn't do a very good job!)

I love these brushes because, not only are they easy to use (and there’s tutorials online by the creators Pixiwoo), they also clean really well, and so last a long time. I’m lazy when it comes to cleaning my brushes, so when I do, they need a really good, harsh clean, and they come up perfectly!

At first they seem pretty expensive – the cheapest brush available to purchase in Australia is $12.99 – but in my opinion, they’re worth the investment.  I’ve had mine for more than six months and they’re still looking beautiful.

The only downside, is the fact that I now feel the need to build my collection, and buy brushes for all different purposes… (I have a core collection and a blush brush from here in the mail as we speak!)

Have you tried Real Techniques? What do you think? Are there any other brushes/brands of brushes I should be adding to my collection?

Beth. x

That song that you can't get out of your head #1.

I'm not going to lie, I'm a huge (note: huge), fan of The Jezabels. And when their second album 'The Brink' came out earlier this year, I had it pre-ordered months in advance.

Every song on the album is a winner to me, but the one that I keep coming back to for a pick-me-up is 'Beat to Beat.' I'm not sure if it's the catchy drum and piano line throughout the song, or Hayley's soaring vocals on the chorus that get me in, but it's just one of those songs that you end up humming at work in front of customers without realising it... (Not the best thing to be doing, but at least it's a good song.)

I saw The Jezabels perform this live, and it was just as good (if not better) than the recording, which just makes me love it even more!

My favourite lyrics have to be:

From beat to beat,

We find our own melody;

It's natural. It's a perogative.

What's your favourite song at the moment?

Beth. x


The Jezabels' links:
https://www.facebook.com/TheJezabels?fref=ts
https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/the-jezabels/id299025689

Getting deep up in here #1.

Love is a funny thing. The second you accept that it’s not coming your way, is the second someone finally comes out of the woodwork. 

I’ve never been one to do things simply or halfhearted, I fall unquestioningly, deeply… Probably to my own detriment.

When you’re in a situation where you need to get to know a person so quickly, before you have to leave – to go to the other side of the world mind you! – All your senses and feelings are heightened. You are so blinded by lust, by love, by excitement, that you don’t look for those little qualities that might irk you. You don’t even question that this person may not be compatible with you, that your relationship might be flawed.  You’re so in the moment, and you’re certain that this person is the one, the person who you are meant to find.

You spend every waking moment together, doing things that you only imagined would happen in a romantic movie. He is the perfect gentleman, and already you’re both planning your life around this relationship.

However, the thing with whirlwind romances is that you reach the high so quickly, and are planning ahead so early, that it takes a lifetime to fully digest what actually happened after it came crashing down. Things are so wonderful and cute and fun… Until they’re just… not. 

Suddenly, you finally see all the things that you couldn’t before.  Suddenly that love that you were blinded by is gone.  You can see it in his eyes too.  He knows that this isn’t working, but what can you say?

And then it all just stops.  You’re not particularly sad, but just kind of empty, confused, and wondering what the hell just happened.  But as much as you question your decisions and the things that happened during that short period of time, you’re kind of happy… Look at all the things you learned!  Look at how much you grew!  Look at how differently you now look at your life! Because even though the relationship may be over, you will live with the lessons.

This week was a bit more personal, a good cleanse of the soul. Let me know what you think!

Beth. x

An alternative to candles?

I love nice smelling stuff as much as the next person, but is it just me, or do you need to have a candle burning in every room of your house just to get the scent throughout?  No matter how cheap or expensive the candles are, I just can't get the scent to travel... Until now.

Wax or oil burners are ceramic models that have a dish-like shape on the top, and are hollow. Basically, you light a tea light and put it in the hollow part, and put a scented 'melt' in the hollow dish to melt down and release fragrance.

The melts (I use this brand), can be burned over and over again (or until you get sick of the scent).  So there's no need to constantly buy large candles, (only tealights - which are much cheaper - are required). Also the scent pay off of the soy melts is amazing,  and depending on the fragrance you choose, your whole house can end up smelling lovely. Soy wax is an economical way to go because it is a renewable source, unlike in traditional candles.

Personally, I got my lovely owl burner and Elume soy wax melts from Wen and Ware.  But if you're

not in Ballarat or Malvern, Dusk has a good range of burners and melts, and so does Elume.

With scents like cinnamon (my favourite!), cranberry, chai tea, beach crush and lemon myrtle, the choices are endless. 

What do you think?  Will you trade in your candles for a wax burner?

Beth. x

Subscription boxes #2: Violet Box

So, my second subscription box landed on my door just recently. (Much to my excitement!) So here's the rundown for you.

I received another Australian beauty box called Violet Box. Violet Box is a bit more expensive than Bella Box, as it retails at $22.95 per month.  However, I used the code VIOLETBOX10 to get $10 off mine.

This subscription box comes with 6-7 samples, and I was much happier with the selection than I was with my last box. Violet Box has a different range of product suppliers to Bella Box, and this seems to suit me so far. Also, can I just point out the purple factor... Bonus points for that!

This month's box included:

1. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse. - Which is a multi-purpose oil for dry skin... Very apt for this weather!
2. Eve's Ready To Wear Lipstick by Teeez.  - I am a lip product addict, so this was a welcome inclusion in this box! So far this lipstick seems really moisturising, but isn't as pigmented as I thought it would be... Perfect for a no-lipstick-lipstick day though. (And... This lipstick retails at $32, so with the price of the box, this is a steal!)
3. Nuxe Creme Merveillance. - Supposedly meant to target visible expression lines, I will definitely be getting this one onto my frown lines!
4. LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub. - I've used this product before, and it's good if you, (like me) wear lipstick a lot, and your lips end up in bad shape. 
5. Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil. - This product excited me greatly. I've been contemplating getting a highlighter for a while now, and now I can try one out!
6. StyleSign Sleek Perfection. - I don't often use heat tools on my hair, but I think I might have to start so I can try this heat protectant spray.
7. Timeless Truth Miracle Rejuvenation Mask. - Face masks aren't kind to my sensitive skin, but my mum is excited to give this one a go.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with this one! Not sure if I'm willing to fork out the $22.95 a month though.  What do you guys think?

Beth. x

Woodlock's Labour of Love.

‘Labour of Love’ is the second EP for the lovely boys from Melbourne-based band Woodlock. The EP is a fairly long one, with eight tracks, but every song is incredibly easy to listen to.

The EP starts off with a song called ‘What you’ve got,’ which has a lovely brass line that runs the whole way through. (A brass line that for me, is quite nostalgic, as it brings back memories of the Annie the musical soundtrack.) Haunting vocals are layered with a beautiful piano and guitar line, as well as a foot-tapping drum beat, and lovely child-choir harmony towards the end. A brilliant way to start the record.

‘Baby girl’ is more along the lines of the title track of the boys’ last EP ‘Lemons,’ with happy guitar rhythms and clap-along chorus. Lyrically, it’s incredibly sweet, with lines such as, “I know we’ve got dreams of our own, I know we’ve got room left to grow,” and “there’ll be no one like our love.”

Next is ‘Run.’  This track starts slow with a simple piano line, which leaves plenty of room for the vocals and lyrics to shine through. Throughout it builds to a more up-tempo song, with guitar and drum patterns almost reminiscent of Boy and Bear.  Lovely harmonies are scattered in just the right places. Possibly one of the best tracks on the EP.

You see a much more rock side of Woodlock with ‘The Garden.’ The guitar and drum patterns in this seem a lot edgier, but the gentle vocals contrast it nicely.  I love this song, and with brilliant lyrics like, “because once your heart leaves you, I’ll never call you home,” it will be on repeat.

The first single off the EP – ‘My Throne’ – is similar to ‘Run’ in that it starts with just a simple guitar line and Eze’s vocals, and comes together after the chorus. Initially, this song seems to only stay at one level. However, just when you think it’s over, an instrumental kicks in, and it’s just the boost this song needs to make it memorable, and sing-a-long worthy. (The guitar in the instrumental reminds me of the sort of twangy guitars in the intro of ‘A Little Piece’ by The Jezabels.)

‘The Fallout’ is another track that is a lot edgier than previous stuff. Again it feels familiar, in that, before you even hear the end of it, you already know it… A sign of some excellent songwriting. The intro again has Boy and Bear elements to it, (which is by no means a bad thing!) It has beautiful instrumentation throughout and a nice drum ending.

‘Eleanor’ is the penultimate track. It can be summed up simply: Harmonies = flawless. Lyrics = absolutely beautiful. - “It took 6 months before I could talk to you. It took 3 years until we made our love true.” –

And to finish off the record, a sneaky extra song is added onto the end of ‘Eleanor.’ It’s definitely a lovely surprise of another lovely guitar and harmony track.

‘Labour of Love,’ while keeping all the lovely elements that were on ‘Lemons,’ also heads into slightly edgier, rockier territory, which I am incredibly fond of.  Eze, Zech and Bowen have done a brilliant job to produce an EP that is so easy to listen to, and so diverse.

(On a sidenote, the album artwork is amazing! And if you happen to get a physical copy, there’s a very cute band picture on the inside.)

You can get ‘Labour of Love’: https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/labour-of-love/id862265974 

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/music/alternative/labour-of-love/702417 

You can find Woodlock: https://www.facebook.com/WoodlockMusic?fref=ts

Beth. x