March Favourites + Highlights 2021

I didn’t intend to take a blogging break… it just kind of happened. I didn’t really feel like writing and over the years I’ve come to be more at ease with posting when I feel like it. Also, for the past month I haven’t had much to say, occasionally I have struggled with my emotions and I’m still getting my head around everything following the breakup. I’ve been enjoying quieter weekends mostly filled with reading and listening to music, I love that I can always fall back on those hobbies. I also had a couple of deliveries and shared photos on Instagram if you’re interested to see what I picked up.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Nike Club Fleece Joggers – When I’m at home I love to wear comfortable clothes and with winter on the way I love being cosy and warm. In October last year I purchased a hoodie and joggers from Nike and a few times this month I have got the joggers out. The joggers are plain black and are incredibly soft and warm. They are actually men’s joggers and when I looked up the size guide the measurements for this pair were similar to a women’s pair but the women’s joggers were more expensive. I’m only 4ft 11 and the length is perfect on me. I’m not sure how men who are average height would get on but I’m not complaining!

2. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray – This setting spray is one of the most talked about in the beauty world. I had always wanted to try it and purchased a 30ml size last month. I have heard people say they don’t get the hype around this and it’s overrated but I also wanted to find out for myself. The fact this has ended up in my favourites indicates I like it. The mist sprayed is nice and light which I like, I don’t like setting sprays that drench the skin and make the face wet. There is a slight scent but nothing offensive or overly perfumed. I like how this melts makeup together, it’s not too glowy and doesn’t make skin look greasy. If you have dry skin like me I think you would also enjoy this.

3. Rimmel Brow Pro Micro in Soft Brown – I was getting low on my trusty Rimmel eyebrow pencil and I couldn’t find one in store. I did see this product and decided to give it a go. It has a spoolie at one end and product that winds up at the other. It’s very easy to use and my brows look natural, you can apply as little or as much product as you desire. The one great thing about this is I don’t have to sharpen it. The colour is also a good match for me. Depending on how long this lasts I might have found a replacement brow product I like more than Rimmel’s regular eyebrow pencil.

4. Ana Luisa jewellery – I have been wearing jewellery a lot more regularly the past six months or so and I have had some beautiful pieces come into my collection. At the end of February I purchased two pieces from Ana Luisa after spending an age browsing their website and often hearing Arna Alayne talk about the brand on YouTube. The pieces are very reasonably priced and if you’re into ethical brands Ana Luisa is also carbon neutral. I purchased two gold pieces; an adjustable ring with a rope twist pattern and a gold horn necklace that reminded me of a dupe for the famous Missoma horn necklace. If you’re interested in taking a look at the site and want to purchase something for yourself you can use my referral link to get $15 off.

March Highlights

• I’ve enjoyed playing with Pat McGrath’s Mthrshp Mega Celestial Divinity palette. Still a little overwhelmed when it comes to pairing shades together but the colours are so pretty.
• I’ve made good progress on my project pan items, a handful of products have been finished up and other products have been swapped in.

March’s Spotify Playlist

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February Favourites + Highlights 2021

February has been the strangest month I’ve had for a while. The first half I was upbeat and the second felt like everything came crashing down. At the time this post is published it’s been about 10 days since my boyfriend broke up with me. It feels like I only just told people I was in a relationship again. To say the break up wasn’t expected is an understatement, two weeks before the break up we had such a lovely night together and we spent Valentine’s Day in each other’s company. I don’t know what changed and maybe I never will but after sharing THIS photo and caption on Instagram everyone online and in person has been so kind and supportive. I didn’t like the decision and I can’t change it but I know I’ll be okay and I genuinely wish him happiness.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Silver stardust 15mm hoop earrings – These earrings were a gift for my birthday in January and they are beautiful. They are lightweight and dainty with a bit of an edge at the same time. The ball on the hoop is textured and designed to have a star dust effect. I love how pretty these look on, they go with everything and can be worn dressed up or down, I’ve been enjoying wearing them to work to add a touch of glam.

2. New bed – During the time I had off between Christmas and New Year I went bed shopping. I don’t think I’ve had a new bed since I was a kid and I was hesitant to switch from my previous bed as it was so comfy but I don’t regret my decision. The mattress took about a month to arrive as they are made to order and I chose a plush chiropractic model so it will be soft and good for my back too. I don’t have back problems but I did read plush mattresses are good to provide support for petite people and I didn’t want a medium mattress in case it wasn’t quite soft enough. The bed was delivered at the start of February and I have been sleeping well, most nights I don’t wake up at all (that’s quite normal for me) and it’s been easy to adjust. A practical purchase that will last for years.

3. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Prismatic Amethyst – The lavender duo-chrome shift to this highlighter is stunning! Purple works really well with my skintone and I see myself reaching for this a lot when I’m wearing pinks and purples on my eyes and lips. I tend to stay away from pink highlighters (apart from Rose Quartz also by BECCA) as they can emphasise redness, purples don’t do that. The formula is up to the usual dreamy BECCA standard and I’m even more pleased I purchased this with the news that the brand will be going out of business later this year.

4. MOR hand cream in Juicy Blooms – I purchased a MOR hand cream trio in 2019 and after recently finishing up a hand cream I selected one of the scents from the trio to use next. I tend to use scents that match seasons and this one seemed nice and summery. Juicy Blooms has citrus notes blended with sweet almond oil and cocoa seed butter. The hand cream is incredibly soft and soaks in quickly whilst still feeling hydrating and being non-greasy. I haven’t painted my nails for a few weeks and they look and feel strong which I think is partly down to the formula of this hand cream.

February Highlights

• February 5th. Everything about this day was wonderful; I had a day off work, I slept in, I wore a cute outfit (including a skirt which I rarely do), I spent the night with my boyfriend singing along to music and he said he loved me which was a big step as he told me he hadn’t felt that or said it to anyone before.
• I purchased the Pat McGrath Mthrshp Mega: Celestial Divinity palette. I’ve used it a few times but I’m excited to play with it more.
• Again, I’m impressed with my strength and ability to bounce back when I’m faced with adversity. Every day I’m getting stronger and more resilient.

February’s Spotify Playlist:

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December Favourites + Highlights 2020

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas Day even if you weren’t able to do what you had originally planned. Mine was very low-key, I was at home with my mum and one of my aunts and we had a big lunch. We didn’t really do presents which helps keeps things less stressful and the food was really yummy! I scored the crackling on the roast pork, was on cream whipping and strawberry cutting duties for dessert and also helped with general prep and cooking.

I’m ending the year strongly and going out with a bang with these favourites! These all make me happy and have brought me lots of enjoyment over the past few weeks.

1. Kylie – DISCO – I was meant to include this in November’s favourites but somehow it slipped my mind. I am a huge Kylie fan and every time I listen to DISCO I love the songs more. The overall sound of the album is very cohesive and Kylie co-wrote on each track as well as engineering vocals and synths at her home studio during the pandemic. The sound is very much in Kylie’s dance-pop lane and it is exactly what 2020 needs, 50 minutes of energetic fun that makes you happy and forget about any worries for a while. This is my favourite Kylie album since Aphrodite. Standout Tracks: Magic, Miss a Thing, Real Groove, Say Something, I Love It, Dance Floor Darling and Celebrate You.

2. Steps – What the Future Holds – Another album that I have not stopped listening to since release! This album is incredibly special as the booklet is signed by all members of Steps and 11 year old Chanelle never dreamed she would own something like this. It’s even more special as I was meant to be seeing Steps in May but because of Covid the show was cancelled. I was heartbroken but I’m determined to see them live one day. Steps represent so much happiness in my life and I’m thankful the album was released this year. Vocally I feel Lisa and Lee shine on this album (they all sound good but it’s clear to see the vocals are shared more evenly and these two have such beautiful voices as well). Standout Tracks: What the Future Holds, Something In Your Eyes, To the Beat of My Heart, One Touch, Under My Skin, Heartbreak In This City and Come and Dance With Me.

3. Fenty Gloss Bomb in Fu$$y – This gloss arrived in September as part of a mini set and I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned it in a favourites post yet. I’ve really enjoyed wearing gloss this year and found some great formulas that aren’t sticky and feel comfortable. Fu$$y is described as a soft romantic pink, it has a little bit of shimmer and can look quite sheer when worn on it’s own but it’s lovely on no makeup makeup days or applied over top of a lipstick for a bit of shine. The scent of this is amazing, it needs to be made into a fragrance (you can thank me later Rihanna).

4. In the Frow x Edge of Ember Birthstone Necklace and Nova Ring – In October Victoria (known as In the Frow on YouTube) launched a jewellery collaboration with Edge of Ember. I picked up two pieces and whilst I spent more than I tend to on jewellery I don’t regret it! The pieces are dainty and beautiful and the quality is up there too. I’m not a fan of chunky, heavy pieces and prefer things that are subtle and elegant.

The silver Nova ring is lightweight and simple but it goes with everything, the stone in the middle is a white topaz. Usually I prefer silver to gold but what drew me to the birthstone necklace was the simplicity of one stone on the chain. My birthday is in January so my birthstone is garnet and the red and gold work well together. The length of the chain is adjustable which is nice depending on how you like necklaces to sit and what you’re wearing with it.

December Highlights

• I took some time to reflect on the year that has been and unwind and get ready for 2021. I know lots of people hate January but I really appreciate the slow period and setting things up to begin again.
• Finishing work on Christmas Eve and knowing I have almost two weeks off. This is my first proper annual leave since February that won’t involve hospitals and where I can do things for me.
• My boyfriend finishing work early on Christmas Eve and coming to see me after not being able to see each other for a week. He also came to visit on Christmas Day so we could exchange presents.
• The first bite of pavlova on Christmas Day was amazing!

December’s Spotify Playlist:

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August Favourites + Highlights

Looking back over my mood tracker for the year, August has been a real mixture of feelings. The day this post goes up will be my last day at work for two weeks and I am looking forward to having a well deserved break. I have worked at the library for over two years now (105 weeks to be exact) and minus the two weeks off I have coming up I have had a total of three weeks off work in that time. I’m looking forward to relaxing and sleeping and just taking some time out. I’ve spent most of August counting down and getting everything ready for my last day to be honest. I’ve still been reading and made some online orders too!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick – 302 Bois De Rose – This lipstick was gifted to me by a work colleague and boy did she choose well! I love how wherever I’ve worked I’m known as the lipstick girl and people gift shades to me they haven’t used or buy shades with me in mind. I don’t own any L’Oreal lipsticks but the satin formula of this shade is stunning! Bois De Rose reminds me a lot of MAC Syrup which is in no way a bad thing. The scent of this lipstick is lovely and the pigmentation and lasting power are excellent. I’d love to do a makeup look for the blog wearing this shade soon.

2. Zoella x Colourpop Group Hug Supernova Shadow Bundle – Products like this remind me why I love makeup. Both of these shades are impressive, have really good pigmentation, last all day and go with any makeup look. These are easy to apply and the shimmer stays on the eyelids and doesn’t get all over the face. I love a bit of sparkle and these deliver in spades! Literally a bit of bronzer all over the lid and through the crease, either OG or Bellini applied over top, two coats of mascara, lipstick and you’re good to go! Simple, no fuss products are my favourite!

3.Silver ring – I purchased this ring over two years ago but I’m really bad at wearing jewellery. I go through phases of wanting to wear it and then won’t wear any at all for ages (minus my rose gold Petite Melrose watch from Daniel Wellington). This ring is stirling silver and features a cubic zirconia stone in the centre with five smaller stones either side. The style of the ring is simple and elegant and I have enjoyed wearing it again this month.

4. NESCAFÉ Gold Crème Brulee Latté – I rarely drink coffee but when I do I tend to go for something milky and not overly strong. I enjoy the Vanilla Latte flavour from Nescafe and when I saw the limited edition Creme Brulee flavour I wanted to give them a go. I haven’t had coffee in a long time and I’m not someone that needs it daily to function. These lattes are lovely and smooth, the coffee taste isn’t overpowering and the sweetness of the creme brulee adds to the pleasant taste. A nice little treat when I need something to warm me up!

August Highlights

• My second Colourpop order arrived! If you haven’t seen what I got yet, CLICK HERE.
• Treated myself to lunch a couple of times this month, it was pie and chips weather.
• Got a haircut and a third layer put back in.
• Ordered three new perfumes online: Viva la Juicy La Fleur, Viva la Juicy Glacé, and Olympéa by Paco Rabanne. All smell lovely.
  

August’s Spotify Playlist:

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May Favourites + Highlights

I got sick this month and my asthma hasn’t been good for the second half of May. I have been taking things easier than normal to conserve energy and get back on my feet. My breathing has been the biggest concern, a cold usually starts in my nose and drips down but it went backwards this time, it started in my chest and the blocked nose came later. I’ve noticed in the past year my immune system has been weaker than usual. Also, as a result of the cold my skin looks tired and blotchy and products aren’t looking as nice as they normally do because my skin is drier. Apart from being sick I have also had some yummy food this month, I treated myself to Indian which I don’t have very often and I got a little spendy!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder – Light – A couple of months back a thought I wanted to give contouring a go. I was browsing Beauty Bay and saw the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder for a price that yes, was an investment but nowhere near as expensive as MECCA sells the product for and decided to pick it up. I did my research, I knew it was well loved and had the right undertone I was looking for in a contour for pale skin such as mine. I didn’t want to buy a sculpting palette with six shades and only realistically use one or two. This powder gives my face a slight hint of shape/shadow which is what I’m after and it really is the perfect shade for fair skin! I’ve applied this with both soft and dense brushes and currently my favourite brush to apply it with is the Real Techniques Setting Brush. The brush is soft and diffuses the product but still small enough to get in under the cheekbones and blend.

2. The Body Shop Shea Eau de Toilette 30ml – Shea is one of my favourite scents from The Body Shop and the range I have tried the largest number of products from. These small 30ml bottles of fragrance are compact and fit nicely in my handbag if I need. This scent is lovely as a spray and smells just like the body butter. It’s nice when I want something light and natural and not too girly. I know I say this all the time about this scent and I mean it in the least weird way possible but I would love to smell this on a guy. There’s something masculine about Shea that I love.

3. Essence Shine Shine Shine Lipgloss in Dress Up Your Lips! – This lipgloss was given to me by a work colleague when she returned from a trip to the Philippines. Her and I often talk about makeup and it’s nice she thought of me. Dress Up Your Lips! is a nude gloss and I think of the colour as a cross between MAC Brave and MAC Velvet Teddy. The gloss is nicely pigmented, super comfortable to wear and has a fruity scent which I like. It won’t last a whole day but it’s easy to reapply.

4. Silver Pendant Necklace – I picked up this necklace for 50% off in a pharmacy and it was a total bargain! It is simple and beautiful and that’s what I like in jewellery. I like dainty, elegant pieces that compliment an outfit but aren’t the main attraction. The chain isn’t adjustable but the pendant sits in the right place on my neck. The amount of sparkle the pendant gives off is really pretty.

May Highlights

• I’ve been loving a couple of British crime dramas – The Bay and Prime Suspect: Tennison.
• I purchased two dresses from Glassons that I can’t wait to wear; a triangle print long sleeve peplum dress and a floral, short sleeve high-low dress.
• The Zoeva makeup brushes I mentioned in last month’s favourites arrived.
• I placed my first Sephora order! A haul post will be up in the near future.

May’s Spotify Playlist:

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December Favourites 2018

December has been another fast paced month! I’m settling in to my job and I have been able to read a little bit more. I get a one hour lunch break so I take my book and get to read it most days. We’re keeping Christmas lowkey this year and it’s nice not to have to worry and enjoy the time off I get. December has had some really special moments and I’m ending the year on a high. I feel a lot better mentally and I’m hoping 2019 will bring more joy!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Rita Ora – Phoenix – I have listened to Rita’s music for a number of years and I was happy to get my hands on her long awaited second album last week. I tried to pick up the album earlier but there’s only one shop that sells CDs in my city and they didn’t have it so I had to wait until I went to Auckland for the Shania Twain concert. This album is catchy pop with an emotional R&B edge. Phoenix sounds current and the majority of tracks would not be out of place on radio. Standout Tracks: Anywhere, Lonely Together, Only Want You, For You and Cashmere.

2. Daniel Wellington Petite Melrose Watch + Cuff Set – Whilst I love having small wrists it makes buying watches difficult. The best thing about this watch is that the clasp can be moved to suit a range of wrist sizes. It’s also useful if your wrist size fluctuates. I was drawn to the Petite Melrose because of the rose gold colour and how dainty and elegant the watch looked. The watch face comes in two different sizes (28mm and 32mm – for reference I got the 28mm) and you can also choose the colour of the face: white or black. The black looks striking but I chose white as it looks more classic. The watch straps can also be swapped out so if you don’t want to have more than one watch you can change the strap for a different look. If you don’t want to order a cuff with your watch you can order a second strap or simply buy the watch on it’s own. This is the nicest watch I have ever owned – it’s the perfect fit and so lightweight to wear.

3. Shania Twain concert – December 18th 2018 is a day I’ll never forget; the day I got to see Shania Twain in concert. I have been a fan since 1998 and I never thought all these years later I would get to see her live, let alone have her touch my hand as she made her way to the stage. Shania is one of my biggest inspirations, her life story is so interesting and she’s had her share of ups and downs. The show itself was spectacular, the band are talented and Shania is such a professional, she knows how to work the stage and the crowd and treats her songs with respect. She doesn’t oversing or try and create new versions of the hits she’s known for. I was up singing and dancing all night and I feel blessed to have been in the same room as her.

4. Rimmel 107 Lipstick – I wore this to the Shania Twain concert and my love for this shade has been reignited. This lipstick has been in my collection for a few years now and I really should wear it more. The lipstick is pigmented, easy to apply and lasts well throughout the day. 107 is a gorgeous berry red and one of the best reds I own. This lipstick is lovely all year round but it’s especially beautiful around Christmas!

December’s Spotify Playlist:

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What were your favourite things in December?

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April Favourites 2018

April started off fine but by the end of the month I was dealt a devastating blow (more on that later in the week). I have been very sad this past week but I will push on and try to get through as best I can. Despite the sadness there are still items I have been loving and wearing quite a bit in April.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Kylie Minogue – Golden – As far as musicians go Kylie is a top contender for being my favourite! Her sound is my favourite to listen to and no one does dance-pop better than her. Golden sees Kylie include country on a few tracks as she spent some time writing and recording in Nashville. The album grows on me with each listen. I love the A5 packaging which houses the CD and includes a lyric booklet. Standout Tracks: Dancing, Stop Me From Falling, Sincerely Yours, Live a Little, Raining Glitter and Every Little Part of Me.

2. Juicy Couture Rollerball Perfume – I have been loving rollerball perfume lately. One end of the rollerball is my holy grail Viva la Juicy scent and the other end is Viva la Juicy Glacé which is lovely too and quite similar to the original Viva la Juicy. I find the scent of a rollerball lasts longer than some of my other perfumes in a bottle and the scent is more concentrated so you don’t need to apply as much. The top I’m wearing when I apply the scent picks it up nicely as well.

3. kikki.K Cat Necklace – My brother got me this necklace for my birthday and I love that every time I wear it I think of Tango. Normally I prefer silver jewellery to gold but because this is a cat and I don’t wear the necklace everyday I don’t mind that it’s gold. The chain and cat are dainty and delicate which is what I like my jewellery to be. I’m not into big, chunky pieces. I also like that the cat and the heart are attached to the chain and aren’t pendants that can slide off.

4. Max Factor – Auburn Envy – This may sound strange but I’m actually not the biggest fan of eyeshadow palettes. I’ve yet to find one where I use every single shade and coming up with different eye looks doesn’t daunt me. I prefer easy, simple eye looks with one or two colours which is why I’m glad I picked up this shade by Max Factor. It is a pretty neutral which can be worn on it’s own or it works nicely as a base shadow. There is glitter and while it looks chunky it doesn’t feel chunky or translate chunky onto the eyes – it gives a beautiful shimmer. I have been enjoying pairing Auburn Envy with another product from Max Factor; their Excess Shimmer Shadow in Copper. I apply Auburn Envy first then Copper.

April’s Spotify Playlist:

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What were your favourite things in April?

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❄ OOTD: I’m Gonna Be Warm This Winter ❄

In New Zealand we are over halfway through winter and thankfully it hasn’t been too bitter. *Touches wood* I wanted to share an outfit with you that I have been wearing a lot lately, it’s perfect for winter but will still keep you looking stylish. (The outfit is pocket friendly too!) This outfit is a cross between casual and semi-formal. I took inspiration from nature and opted for greys and blacks to represent the clouds and gloomy weather. I kept the colour palette neutral so it would be easy to recreate and it also means you can accessorise easily and wear whatever makeup you wish. Unfortunately, most of these items aren’t available online anymore but I will link the products I can find at the end of the post.

Clothing

Long sleeve Roll Neck Boucle Jumper – $15

I purchased this jumper at the beginning of June and I have been obsessed with it ever since! I spotted this in store and instantly fell in love. The jumper is lightweight and doesn’t feel heavy on but is still warm and cosy. I really like the roll neck, how it looks and the practicality of it for cooler weather. This jumper is quite slouchy and oversized but somehow it is the perfect fit at the same time. The sleeves aren’t too long and the hem sits nicely. The short splits at the sides are a cute touch.

Anna High Neck Tee – $5

Cotton On has become one of my favourite places to shop for clothes recently. Their clothes are the right mix of stylish and affordable and I picked up this high neck tee back in January for only $5! I like the ribbed effect, the sleeve length and the fitted look. I’m a curvy girl but I love how this looks on and how it makes me feel confident when I wear it; it hugs in all the right places. I believe this tee would work with most outfits all year round.

Grey Jeggings – $15

I love the comfort of leggings and I love the look of jeans so it was a no brainer for me to pick up this pair of jeggings. My pair have an elasticated waist as opposed to a button and zip closure. Unlike a lot of jeans and leggings that gather around my ankles because I’m short, these don’t. Although I couldn’t find a picture of my exact pair online, I feel this image best represents the colour, not dark grey but not light grey either.

Accessories

The Saturdays Crystal Heart Necklace – $2

I have had this necklace for a couple of years now and it was an even bigger bargain than the high neck tee! By Gioia are a company that specialise in jewellery from the world’s biggest musical artists and I purchased this necklace from The Saturdays’ line for £1. When the line was first released I think this retailed for roughly £17.99. This necklace has an adjustable chain and I chose this particular piece to compliment the roll neck jumper because of its’ length.

Footwear

When it comes to footwear for this outfit, I have two options: one is more casual and the other is more dressy if you were going out or had an event in the evening.

1. Skechers Flex Appeal Sweet Spot Walking Shoes – $77.99

 This pair of shoes is the most expensive item in this post but as far as shoes go they’re still not too expensive. I find shoe shopping can be difficult because I have wide, short feet and my ankles roll out when I walk (pronation). These shoes are one of the most comfortable pairs I have worn and I’m sure that’s down to the memory foam. I love to be comfortable and I bought these because I wanted a nice pair of trainers which these certainly are. If you’d like to read more about these shoes, I wrote a post on them HERE.

2. Onix Suede Boots – $20

I bought these boots almost two years ago and they are still in near perfect condition. Despite these being suede, I’ve never experienced any water damage or any marks. Originally these boots retailed for $179.99 and I almost couldn’t believe it when I saw the price sticker for $20. These boots have the slightest heel but that doesn’t alter how comfortable they are to wear. These look so cute with the grey jeggings tucked into them.

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Jumper: Kmart

Top: Cotton On

Jeggings: Postie

Necklace: By Gioia

Shoes: Skechers

Shoes: Diana Ferrari

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I hope you enjoyed reading this post and seeing what I’ve been loving and wearing lately fashion-wise. Let me know what you think of this outfit – would you wear it?

What I Got For Christmas

Hello lovelies!

Let me start by saying I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! I’ve been enjoying my four day weekend and short break from work before I go back tomorrow (Tuesday). When it comes to Christmas and gifts I receive, I am always grateful but this year I feel especially lucky. I knew a lot of what I was getting but I still enjoyed unwrapping everything on Christmas day and saying thank you to my nearest and dearest.

I thought it would be nice to share what I received with my blogging friends and see if we got any of the same presents.

1. London Tote Bag

I love anything and everything to do with London and unwrapping this bag was a welcomed surprise! The bag is made from a waterproof, PVC-like material so it is strong and durable and will come in handy for shopping, traveling or storage.

2. kikki.K DIY Wall Calendar

I always like to have a wall calendar and I saw this kit on kikki.K’s website. I like that it comes with pens, stickers and adhesive dots for photos. You can personalise each month however you want. I know I will enjoy being creative and coming up with a theme each month. The calendar features black and white pages so you can switch it up each month or have 12 months black or 12 months white.

3. Cubic Zirconia Pendant

Personally I find jewellery one of the hardest things to shop for. I don’t like big, chunky pieces and I find that my features are quite an awkward size, my wrists for example are tiny so I have be careful bracelets and bangles don’t fall off. I saw this square cubic zirconia pendant and fell in love with the simplicity and elegance of it. I can see myself wearing this pendant a lot and it’s the type of piece that will go with everything.

Close up of the pendant:

4. The Body Shop Nutty Hand Cream Trio

I have been raving about The Body Shop’s hand creams lately and this trio is so cute! The red and white spotted packaging looks utterly adorable and Christmassy. The three scents included in this trio are: Shea, Moringa and Wild Argan Oil. Wild Argan Oil was on my list to try and I smelt Moringa in store and it smelt lovely. There is also a Fruity Trio of hand creams available featuring Strawberry, Mango and Pink Grapefruit.

5. Hershey’s Kisses Cookies ‘n’ Creme

Christmas isn’t Christmas without chocolate! Ever since I was a kid I’ve loved Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme bars. I remember the bars being thin and broken up into 12 pieces (I think it’s 12), with white wrappers. The chocolate is smooth and creamy and perfect if you’re a white chocolate fan.

6. kikki.K 2016 Diary Refill

I do have a Filofax (a Personal Domino Patent in Hot Pink in case you’re interested) and it’s coming up to my third year using a planner now. I sit down every week, usually on a Sunday and plan out what’s happening for the week ahead. Filofaxes are great as it means you only have to replace the inserts every year rather than getting a brand new diary. Personally I don’t like diary inserts that break each day up into timed intervals, I like the freedom a week on two pages brings. Normally I get Filofax inserts but decided to try kikki.K ones for 2016. The inserts are lined which means no more crooked writing. Haha!

7. MAC ‘Ruby Woo’ and MAC ‘All Fired Up’

Hello, my name is Chanelle and I think I’m becoming a MAC lipstick addict. In all seriousness, I’ve accumulated six in the last year and not so long ago would never have dreamed of spending $40 on a lipstick. (The quality is amazing though). Ruby Woo and All Fired Up both have a Retro Matte finish so they promise intense, matte colour but beware if your lips are dry. This is the present I was most excited about and I can’t wait to give these two shades a whirl!

Left To Right: Ruby Woo (vivid blue-red) and All Fired Up (bright fuchsia-red).

8. Essie Romper Room and Essie Chillato

Essie is fast becoming one of my favourite nail polish brands and these two pastel shades are a lovely addition to my nail polish collection. Romper Room is described as a pale tea rose pink and light pink always looks classy and pardon the pun, polished. Chillato is a shade from Essie’s Summer 2015 collection and is described as a frozen cream pistachio.

Left To Right: Romper Room and Chillato.

I also received a travel pouch with the polishes as it came free if you purchased two or more. This is super cute and a perfect way to store polishes if you’re going away for the weekend or a short trip.

9. Philips Moisture Protect Hair Straightener

Until recently, I didn’t have a lot of interest in hair products and styling my hair but that all changed after a trip to the hairdresser. I don’t do a lot to my hair so I’d like to think it’s in relatively good condition. I purchased this hair straightener as a Christmas present to myself and I will also use it to curl my hair so essentially it’s two tools for the price of one! My hair is thick but straightening it makes it lighter and thinner which I’m sure will also help relieve me of a few headaches. It’ll be nice to do my hair every once in a while and have something to look forward to doing on special occasions. The straightener is lightweight and easy to use and is the most gorgeous rose gold and white colour.

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What was your favourite gift you received?

My Jewellery and Me

Hey lovelies!

I’m super excited to share this post with you! I was recently inspired by a company called Invaluable. They wanted to know more about my jewellery; my favourite pieces, any stories behind them etc. This is also my first collaboration which makes it even more exciting!!!

If you’re unaware of what Invaluable does, they are the world’s premiere online auction marketplace. Their website features a range of items for sale including art, antiques, collectibles and jewellery, of course. Check out the current jewellery items up for auction and perhaps nab a piece of your own!

I don’t have a lot of jewellery and don’t wear it all that often but the pieces I do have I love and some of them are gifts so they’re even more special. With my jewellery I like it to be simple and elegant to suit my small features. That being said I love people who can effortlessly rock any accessory, no matter what the size.

I only own three necklaces but they’re equally as beautiful as each other. The necklace with the snowflake pendant I received as a Christmas gift from my mum – the snowflake is sooo sparkly!

The other two necklaces are made by By Gioia, a company that manufactures jewellery for various artists and bands. These are both from The Saturdays line (launched in 2010) and they cost me £1 each. I only managed to get my hands on these necklaces last year as shipping to New Zealand wasn’t an option before that. I’m so glad I did though, because they glam up any outfit and if I hadn’t had to wait so long I probably wouldn’t have got them for £1.

When it comes to bracelets it’s incredibly hard for me to find something that fits correctly and looks right. My wrists are freakishly small and I have to double loop the clasps to wear them. A jeweler suggested getting links taken out but that can be costly and if the size of my wrist changes it won’t be as easy to add links back in.

The top bracelet was another present my mum bought me, this time for graduating. It is the most special of all my pieces of jewellery as we picked it out together and while it wasn’t too expensive, it’s also the most expensive piece I own. In contrast, the bottom bracelet is another £1 bargain from The Saturdays collection. All the pieces come with the cutest little leather pouches. This bracelet features the first initial of each of the girls.

Do watches count as jewellery? I’m not the biggest fan of watches as I feel they make my wrist look bulky but this pink one from Swatch isn’t like that. It’s light, hasn’t ever needed to have the battery replaced and the jelly strap means it’s comfortable to wear.

Normally when it comes to jewellery I’m a silver girl (as you will have seen in the previous images) but the gold three piece set of rings is so beautiful and makes a nice change. The set can be worn altogether or sometimes I wear the gold jewelled ring on it’s own. I love wearing the infinity ring as it’s so light and it’s my favourite ring to wear on an index finger as I think that’s where it looks best. The moment I first saw the gold coiled ring I fell in love, it’s so dainty and elegant yet a bit unusual at the same time.

Do let me know if you have a favourite piece of jewellery! I’ve loved sharing my stories with you and I’d love to hear if you have any of your own! ❤

Chanelle x