Final Haul of 2017

The last time I went shopping on Boxing Day was 2015. My brother and I ventured out early and there were people directing traffic to prepare for the influx of shoppers. In 2016 I worked on Boxing Day and in 2017 I was adamant I didn’t want to go shopping as I had to get up early for work the next day. Two days after Boxing Day though, my brother and I did end up hitting the shops. I didn’t spend much and everything I picked up was on sale!

NB: I visited a MAC counter with the intention of picking up some travel sized pigments but the shades I wanted were out of stock. Had I known full sized pigments were on sale I would have considered purchasing one or two since MAC is NEVER on sale.

Here’s what I did buy:

1. kikki.K Glass Vases 4pk: Love Life

I put these vases on my Christmas Wishlist and I was so happy when I saw them in store for 50% off! The colours are even nicer in real life and the vases are so dinky! Each vase could hold a few flowers but they also make cute decorations. To give you an idea of how small the vases are they are 50mm (5cm) high.

2. kikki.K Cards

I like to have backup cards for birthdays etc. so if one rolls round unexpectedly I’m prepared. I also believe you don’t have to spend a lot to get a nice card. I bought three cards, one cost 50 cents and the other two cost $2.50 (NZD) each. At those prices they’re a steal!

3. Glassons Boxy Cardi

Clothing is something I don’t need but I couldn’t resist this cardigan. The cardigan is more cream than white and I like the way the boxy style sits on my short frame. The straight cut suits my shape and the 3/4 sleeves are a plus, often full length sleeves are too long on me. The material is soft and fluffy and reminds me of my cat. (Yes, I did just write that sentence. I’ve said the same thing aloud too). I have worn the cardigan already and it will be a staple piece during the seasons between summer and winter.

4. Virgin Mojito Body Butter 50ml

I had a $10 off voucher from The Body Shop and it was my brother who liked the smell of this and made me stop and notice it. I hadn’t paid much attention to the Virgin Mojito range before but I know it is being discontinued so I wanted to try this body butter while I had the chance. I will use it when I stay at my boyfriend’s and my current 50ml body butter (Strawberry) runs out.

5. Almond Milk & Honey Shower Cream 60ml

A couple of years ago I reacted to the Shea shower cream and my legs haven’t ever been the same. My skin has always been sensitive but I can’t actually use shower gels or anything when I wash as it will react. I’m pretty sure that’s down to SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) which is the soap ingredient and what makes lather. I can only use soap when I wash my hands. I bought the travel-friendly size shower cream as SLS isn’t listed as one of the ingredients and this range is suitable for sensitive skin. I can’t try this out for a little while as I currently have heat rash – I won’t be able to tell if it’s making a difference to my skin until the rash clears up and I can try the shower cream on my normal skin.

6. English Dawn Gardenia Body Cream 200ml

The Body Shop is also discontinuing their Voyage fragrance ranges and these items were 40% off. I recently finished up my big 200ml body butter and had intended to use body lotions as I have a ton of those but this scent was calling out to me. The floral scent is lovely and not too sweet or strong. This is a body cream as opposed to a butter and the product feels silky smooth in the tub, the texture is less set and malleable if that makes sense. This body cream is luxurious and I urge you to try this range or test it in store before it disappears!

The three Body Shop items came to a total of $32.70 (NZD) with the 40% discount and the $10 off voucher applied.

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What did you buy in the post-Christmas sales?

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My Recent Purchases #2

It was not long ago I shared My Recent Purchases and here I am back with a second lot of goods. In that post I mentioned I go through stages of not buying anything then seem to buy in clusters. Guilty once again. This time I’ve got fashion and makeup, I made online orders with ASOS and Feel Unique. I have shopped on both sites before and I am a huge fan of ASOS’ service! (This post is not sponsored. I genuinely rate them highly).

I had hoped to get this post up before now but I was waiting on the Feel Unique order so I could swatch everything.

NB: Mary-Lou Manizer was purchased from a New Zealand site.

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1. ASOS Curve 90s Style Dungarees

I vowed not to purchase another pair of dungarees online after the Boohoo disaster but I have shopped with ASOS a number of times. They have free returns compared to Boohoo so if this pair doesn’t fit I can return them for no cost and get my money back. I purchased a pair in this 90s style which seems like a looser fit and has more room to layer underneath. They are made from a stretch denim composed of 98% cotton which will sit nicely on the body and not feel too heavy.

So again I have a little dungaree story! I purchased the size which best matched my measurements but this time the dungarees were too big. That same day I jumped back on ASOS to order a size down and six days later they arrived. The fit is pretty much perfect and further confirmed to me how weird my body is when it comes to clothes sizes. Third pair’s a charm, right?!

2. the Balm Mary-Lou Manizer

I have heard numerous compliments about this highlighter in the beauty world and I am so pleased I was able to get my hands on it! I picked it up for a bargain price and it arrived less than 48 hours after I made the order. The packaging concept is really fun and it was love at first swatch. It applies beautifully to the skin and can double as an eyeshadow. The hype is real!

3. Tanya Burr Sweet Lip Creams Gift Set

I subscribe to Tanya on YouTube and saw the video of her showcasing her Christmas collection. These matte liquid lipsticks stood out to me, both of the colours look gorgeous and I was particularly excited to try the deep purple shade, Blackberry Fudge. The red is called Santa’s Little Helper. The lip creams arrived in lovely box packaging featuring a ribbon and snowflakes.

4. Palmer’s Moisture Rich Night Cream

Soon I will be running low on my current night time moisturiser (Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream) and I was looking at alternatives I could try. I do enjoy the Kiehl’s and would like to use it again but I’m not sure if I’m willing to pay $54 (NZD) for a moisturiser. I’ve wanted to try something from Palmers for ages and I was able to pick up this night cream for $15 (NZD). I read reviews online and this rates highly.

5. Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation in 100 Fair

I currently have this foundation in the shade 101 Ivory Beige but I’ve always wanted to try Fair which is a shade lighter. Fair isn’t sold in NZ and I picked this foundation up for half the price I paid for Ivory Beige. The packaging seems to have been updated but I hope the formula is the same because whenever I wear Ivory Beige I like the way my skin looks and the medium to full coverage.

6. Max Factor Wild Shadow Pots in Feral Brown and Auburn Envy

Feel Unique had a 3 For 2 offer on Max Factor and these two eyeshadows suckered me in! I like single colours for days I want simple makeup looks. They also make travelling and staying overnight a breeze, you don’t have to take a whole palette. Feral Brown is brown/copper which will go nicely with my hair and Auburn Envy is a lighter brown with specks of gold.

Swatches

Left: Mary-Lou Manizer.

Right, top to bottom: Blackberry Fudge, Santa’s Little Helper, Feral Brown and Auburn Envy.

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Have you tried any of these products?

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Fashion Haul: Glassons & Boohoo

Over the past couple of weeks I have added some new clothing to my wardrobe and the pieces are all stunning! Glassons is a popular New Zealand and Australia fashion retailer and I quite often pick up items on sale. I check their website regularly and I have signed up to their mailing list. Boohoo is a company I have heard of numerous times but had never purchased from before. Let me show you what I bought!

Glassons

1. Black Chenille Cardigan – 2017 has been the year of the cardigan! I have found a couple of different styles that suit my shape and this one is especially lovely. The fabric is beautiful and soft but also warm and will be good going into Spring for layering. I wore this cardigan to a job interview a few weeks ago and this is a piece that works dressed up or down.

Note: The cardigan in the image is blue, I couldn’t find a picture of the black one.

2. Ponte Pant and Rib Panel Ponte Pant – I have been after this style for a while. I love leggings as they are so comfortable and these are like leggings but thicker. They stretch and have an elastic waist so they are easy to wear. I purchased both pairs for $50.00 (NZD) and both in black. Black goes with anything and these pants are nice for any situation. My favourite of the two pairs is the ribbed pair, it’s a simple detail but it adds interest to an otherwise ordinary pair of black pants.

Boohoo

3. Hollie Denim Dungarees – I have been loving this trend for a while now and I’m glad I was able to pick up a cute pair of dungarees. I went for black as I preferred the look to normal blue denim and if I wear coloured tops over/under the dungarees the colour will pop more. I like the distressed detailing as it makes them more edgy and playful.

EDIT: Since writing this post I received the order from Boohoo and will be returning the dungarees due to poor fit. Denim can be a snug fit so I went up a size but the dungarees still aren’t the right size for me. To prevent this from happening in future I will only purchase dungarees I am able to try on in a shop first.

4. Mara Slinky Wrap Long Sleeve Bodycon Dress in Berry – This was a risky purchase. I have never worn a bodycon dress before and I didn’t know if it would suit me as I’m curvy. I fell in love with the Berry colour which is another risk. I don’t wear red clothing because of my hair but this is deeper rather than a bright red. I’m hoping the ruched, wrap style will hide my tummy. 

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Do you like the look of these items? What’s on your clothing wishlist?

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What I Did With My Time Off

By the time you’re reading this I will have already been back at work a week. I took a week off at the start of June and it was a much needed break. It’s my first real time off in almost a year and it was bliss! Prior to my time off I made a list of what I wanted to achieve and I managed to complete all of it… almost. Hope you enjoy the post!

Haircut

The last time I had my hair cut was October 2016, so a tidy up was long overdue. The salon I normally go to hasn’t impressed me the past couple of times so I went back to a salon I’d tried a few years ago. I got layers put in rather than have my hair one length how it usually is. The hairdresser did a lovely job and although my hair seems short at the moment it will grow back soon enough, plus, I really like it. I did share my new hair on Instagram and I’ve attached an image in case you don’t follow me/haven’t seen it. My instagram name is chanellehayley_ – follow me and I might just follow you back! 😉

Tidy Up Loose Ends

I’d been meaning to clean windows for my mum for a little while and I wanted to do it on the very first day to get it over and done with. The weather was wet and gloomy and the rain provided a nice backdrop for the cleaning.

One of the items in my latest ASOS order was a wrong send so I had to pop to the post office and send it back. The return service is done online and it’s really easy. It’s also free which is even better! The parcel is tracked and you can view progress online so you know exactly where it is. I’m gutted I didn’t receive the correct jumper and my size is out of stock so I can’t re-order, perhaps it’s not meant to be?

The zip pouch in my handbag where I keep my phone has had a rip in it for months and I finally got around to fixing it. Now nothing can fall through.

Shopping

I only went shopping once during my time away from work and I didn’t splurge at all (I hardly ever do!) I was on the hunt for B vitamins as I have been feeling stressed/tired lately and so far they are working wonders! I bought shampoo and conditioner minis to keep at my boyfriend’s and they smell divine. I’ve wanted to try OGX’s shampoo/conditioner for ages but the big bottles are so expensive at the supermarket. I also bought some underwear and socks, (essentials right?!) and a couple of books to take to work to read.

Motion Entertainment Centre

Late last year an entertainment centre opened about 5 minutes from where I live and my boyfriend and I made plans to go along and try out a couple of activities. We did Escape Masters and ten pin bowling. Escape Masters involves being locked in a themed room and using clues and brainteasers to open locks and ultimately escape from the room. There is a time limit of 60 minutes. My boyfriend and I took 70 minutes but that was on medium difficulty and we wasted the first 10 minutes figuring out what to do. I was absolutely hopeless at ten pin bowling, I scored less than 50 points for the whole game but I did manage to get an 8 and a 2 in one round. We want to go back and try mini golf next.

trip to the snow (sort of)

My boyfriend’s parents thought it would be nice to take me on a trip to see some ‘proper’ snow. I was wrapped up in my puffa jacket and warm clothes, we set off early and the weather looked promising but on arrival mist and cloud had set in and there was no snow to be seen. Hopefully we’ll go again soon and be more successful.

Chill

As well as planning out the things I wanted to do I also took time to chill out and take it easy. I had a few sleeps ins and lazy days. I caught up on a bunch of YouTube videos in my ‘Watch Later’ list, started a jigsaw puzzle and sang/listened to music.

Overall, I had a wonderful time and the weather (apart from the snow day outing) was just as wonderful, there was lots of sunshine which made me happy.

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Is there anything you like to do when you have extra time off work? How do you spend your days?

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Autumn Shopping Haul

Last week I went on a shopping spree – my first in ages – and treated myself to some bits and pieces. I wanted to share what I bought as I love reading haul posts and seeing what new items people are trying out or repurchasing. I’ve got everything in this haul: makeup, fashion, craft and beauty. I made a list prior to going shopping and was successful with some purchases, others not so much. Sit back, relax and I hope you enjoy reading this post!

Top Row:

My first purchase of the day was black and white striped washi tape. I wanted a plain pattern as I have a project in mind and the person I am making it for will like these colours. I love washi tape, the patterns and designs are incredible and it is so useful for crafts and decorating.

If there is one fashion trend I love but find difficult to wear it’s cardigans. They are a great layering option but the majority of cardigans I’ve tried on in the past don’t look right. I’m short and curvy so the cardigan is either too long or doesn’t flatter my body shape. I saw a batwing style cardigan and fell in love instantly. I tried it on and it looked really nice. I love the salt and pepper colouring and the style so much I purchased a second one in pink online the next day. The cardigans were my find of the day!

I have a couple of scarfs but I wanted one in a lighter colour to stand out when I wear darker clothing. I picked up one in ‘Milk’ which is a gorgeous cream colour and feels so soft. The scarf is quite long so it can be styled in a few different ways.

Middle Row:

Rimmel is one of my preferred makeup brands and when I saw a Buy One, Get One Half Price offer I was happy. Because I also spent over $30 on Rimmel products I was entitled to a free lipstick. I picked up another bottle of Match Perfection foundation as it is my favourite for everyday wear and the new-ish Scandaleyes Reloaded mascara. The orange tube looks funky and vibrant and I’m big fan of Rimmel mascaras. For the free lipstick I opted for one of Kate Moss’ nude shades – #45, a rose nude. I have worn the lipstick already and it is beautiful, the formula is comfortable and the colour looks subtle and natural. This shade is going straight into my everyday/most used makeup bag.

Bottom Row:

It’s been a few months since my last visit to The Body Shop so a trip was long overdue. I hadn’t intended to buy anything specific but I did want to test out the new Almond Milk and Honey scent. There was a multibuy on hand cream so I purchased one in Almond Milk and Honey and the other in Shea. I took advantage of another multibuy which offered a travel size (50ml) body butter and a travel size shower gel; I got Shea for both. I plan to give my mum the shower gel as I have sensitive skin and use the body butter when I stay with my boyfriend.

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Have you been shopping recently? What have you purchased?

Online Shopping Haul

Hello, hello! Hope your week is going well so far! Towards the end of last week I placed two cheeky online orders: one with ASOS and one with Target Australia. I’m really excited about the two ASOS items and I’m sure you all know by now how obsessed I am with Dannii Minogue’s petite clothing range. I haven’t done a haul post in a little while so I hope you enjoy this one. Let’s get into it!

Starting with ASOS:

ASOS Textured Striped Dial Watch – I have been on the hunt for a watch for the past couple of months and I decided to take a chance on this one from ASOS. I spotted this watch when I made my very first ASOS order in July but this time it was $20 cheaper. I wanted a watch with rose gold and I like the combination of the rose gold face with the material strap. My wrists are tiny so I figure a strap like this will be better than a metal strap or a bracelet type strap that can’t be adjusted. When I was in Auckland a couple of weeks ago I actually bought a watch but even on the smallest loop it was too big. Fingers crossed this one is perfect!

Rimmel London Good To Glow Highlighter in 003 Soho Glow – I needed something else to qualify for free shipping and I got browsing the makeup section of the site. I love Rimmel and I love the sound of this cream/gel highlighter so it was a no brainer – in my cart it went! I went for the shade Soho Glow which is a bronze-gold shade and totally different to the other highlighter I own from Makeup Revolution. This can be worn on it’s own, under or over the top of foundation.

Dannii For Target:

 

Blanket Knitted Wrap – Even though it’s currently Spring in New Zealand the weather has been pretty nasty and there hasn’t been much sun. I like cardigans but they don’t suit me at all and I thought this would be a good alternative for the unpredictable weather. I can throw this on if I’m cold and take it off if I warm up. I like the look of this on the model and it doesn’t look too long which is what I don’t like about cardigans. The black and white pattern looks funky too.

Chambray Shirt – I don’t have any casual long sleeve shirts and I’ve had my eye on this shirt since it came out. This shirt will look cool with black leggings, particularly my Dannii For Target coated leggings if I want more of a glam look.

Halo Tank – This tank top is another piece I have loved since I first saw it. It is a gorgeous mint colour which will look so nice and fresh during the summer. Again, I don’t really have a lot of tank top style items so I wanted to pick this one up in case I’m feeling brave enough in the summer to get my arms/shoulders out. The back strap detail (image here) is different from normal tank tops and looks stunning.

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Those are all of the items I picked up! What do you think of them? Have you done any online shopping recently?

Auckland Shopping Haul

In Friday’s post I mentioned there would be a haul featuring all the bits I purchased when I was in Auckland last week and I thought what better way to kick off a new week than with said post! A couple of items in this post have been on my wishlist for a while and I’m really glad I was able to pick them up. Let’s jump straight in!

1. Forever New Scarlett Quilted Small Bag

One of the things on my list was a little, elegant bag that could be used in the evenings if I go out or if I’m out in the day and don’t need to take a lot with me. I don’t own a lot of handbags and I certainly didn’t have any little evening bags. This instantly reminded me of a Chanel style bag with the quilting and the chain. The chain is adjustable and can be used in two different ways: it can be worn long across the body or over the shoulder or doubled up to form two straps. I used this bag on Friday night and went with the latter. The bag is nice and light and is fully lined with card slots and a zip pocket. Everything fits comfortably and it is the perfect size!

 

2. Forever New Lee Cosmetic Case

I have a few cosmetic cases in different sizes and I find depending on the amount of makeup you’re using or how long you’re traveling for, it’s not always one size fits all. For example, I would likely use this case for a week away rather than a weekend away. I really like the metallic, glitzy look of this case and how it’s structured on the bottom so will stand up. I also like that the material is malleable rather than stiff and allows you to pack contents more than one way.

 

3. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream – Buenos Aires

I know NYX has recently arrived in New Zealand and after hearing so many bloggers rave about their Soft Matte Lip Creams, I had to try one for myself! I Googled the shades, watched YouTube videos with swatches and narrowed it down to a few I was going to look for. I didn’t want to go down the usual pinky-nude route and I loved the coral tones of Buenos Aires. The shade makes me think of Tanya Burr’s lipgloss in ‘I Found Nemo’ if it was matte. I can’t wait to try this out!

 

4. Typo Twinkle Lights 1.5m

Another item from my wishlist: copper twinkle lights. I have seen these used by a lot of bloggers lately and I wanted to get my hands on some. I tried looking online and everything seemed expensive or didn’t ship to New Zealand. I haven’t decided whether I will use these for blog photographs or if I will put them in a jar as shown on the box. The lights are bendable so you can arrange them how you’d like and they come with batteries so you’ll know exactly which ones you’re looking for when these run out.

 

5. Typo Mini Marquee Light

I have always loved the look of these marquee lights and I’ve wanted one for ages! This is a mini light which measures 10cms high. Typo do make larger marquee lights as well but I couldn’t find a ‘C’ in the larger size. I do like mini things though and this will look cute sitting on my desk. These feature a hook on the back so they can also be hung.

 

6. Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine Polishes

Ever since I purchased Bestival Blue from the same range back in June I have been a fan. Rimmel Polishes aren’t always sold in my city so I always make sure to look at the colours when I’m away. I really liked the look of the lilac tones of Go Wild-Er-Ness, we will be going into spring/summer soon and pastel shades always look so nice. I also picked up Neon Fest because it reminded me of fuchsia lipstick which is my favourite to wear and I don’t have a fuchsia-type polish so I thought, why not?!

 

7. Cotton On Archy Crop Pullover – Airforce Twist

I purchased this pullover on my last day in Auckland. I instantly fell in love with the colour and the style of it. It’s a cropped jumper which looks normal length on me because I’m short but I don’t mind that at all. The pullover features side splits and a high-low hem. The style of the neck is really flattering and sits nicely.

8. Royal Albert Diffuser – Sweet Pea & Hyacinth

I am one of your typical bloggers who loves burning candles but I don’t do it often enough. Sometimes I don’t have a couple of hours spare to let it burn evenly and it seems like I almost have to plan out when I can burn one. Home decor items always look lovely in store and I decided to take the plunge and purchase a reed diffuser. That way, I get the nice scent without having to burn a candle and worry if I’ve forgotten to blow it out or not. I chose the Sweet Pea & Hyacinth scent which is quite sweet but isn’t too floral or overpowering.

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So, that’s everything I picked up in Auckland! I made a list before I left and I managed to cross a few things off it. I didn’t want to go overboard and buy too much in case it didn’t fit in my suitcase but everything did. I was very clever with my packing and put most of the items inside the silver cosmetic case. What do you think of the items I bought?

Small Collective Haul

I don’t know about you but haul posts are some of my favourites to read and write. Last weekend I popped into town and had a list of shops I wanted to visit and I came away with a few bits. I was disappointed in The Body Shop as I have a 20% off coupon and I normally always have something on my ‘To Try’ list but not this time – I came away empty handed. The voucher expires at the end of May so if you have any suggestions on products I should check out, leave them in the comments! I also ended up going to a huge makeup sale and didn’t buy one thing – I’m pretty proud! (That doesn’t mean I didn’t buy makeup at all last weekend though).

1. Keira S/Slv V Tee | $10.00

I was browsing through the Cotton On website and spotted this simple, basic striped tee. I tend to come up with ways I could wear different pieces on the spot and this struck me as one of those casual, weekend tops that would look really good with a pair of jeans. The style of the tee is not fitted and it’s kind of slouchy and loose and hangs really nicely. The v neck on this is not too low and I like the slightly scooped hem and side splits. I am going through a real stripes phase in my wardrobe lately, it’s such a simple way to add impact.

2. Living & Co Plaque | $5.00

This is one of those purchases you tell yourself you don’t need but want anyway. I saw this and thought it was so cute and I can really relate to the quote. “There is no place like home.” I am a homebody through and through and I much prefer staying in to going out. Home fills me with that happy, cosy feeling. It also reminds me of Dorothy’s line in The Wizard of Oz which used to be one of my favourite films as a kid. This plaque can be hung or leaned up against the wall.

3. Rimmel Mascaras | 2 For $20

Rimmel is hands down one of my favourite makeup brands and my holy grail when it comes to mascaras. Their mascaras last for such a long time and their waterproof formula is so easy to remove. I have never experienced any irritation or sensitivity and I highly recommend giving Rimmel mascaras a go! I repurchased Scandaleyes Lycra Flex which is my favourite mascara that I’ve ever tried and while I may not have tried that many in total, using others made me realise why I love it and why it works for me. The brush has wire bristles (which I prefer to plastic) and despite being quite thick, product doesn’t clump and transfer onto my eyelids or below my eyes. This mascara provides length and volume all in one and doesn’t make eyelashes look spidery or brittle. I also purchased the Glam’Eyes Day 2 Night mascara. This one didn’t have the most favourable reviews online but I wanted to give it a go anyway. The two step application process is something I haven’t tried before and I’m looking forward to seeing how it performs on me.

4. Derma V10 Sorbet Body Butter – Strawberries and Cream | $3.26

I saw this little tub and I fell in love! I smelt this and it reminded me of strawberry yoghurt but in a good way. I am a huge fan of The Body Shop body butters but this cost 1/12th of the price. I don’t know if this will deliver on it’s claims but for the price I can’t complain!

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There you have it, that’s everything I picked up! All of this cost me around $40 NZD and I think that’s reasonable for everything I got. Do you like the look of anything I picked up?

P.S. Don’t forget to leave me your suggestions for potential Body Shop products I can check out!

Dannii For Target Haul

Hellooo! A very exciting parcel arrived at my door on Friday morning and what else was I going do but share the contents with you. Being short it can be difficult to find clothes that flatter and fit properly. Ever since Dannii Minogue teamed up with Target Australia in 2014 I have been dying to get my hands on pieces from her Petites collection. I purchased two dresses last year and I am extremely impressed with the quality and how perfectly they fit.

“Petites is perfectly proportioned for smaller frames. With shorter hem lengths, narrow shoulders and fitted collars, every style fits just right.” – Target.com.au

What I love about Dannii’s range is that she always reinforces petite relates to height not weight. The range is available in sizes 4-16  and is designed for women 5’3″ and under.  Even if it wasn’t Dannii collaborating with Target I would still love the clothes because there is a gap in the market for petites clothing. Target’s pieces are stylish and on trend whilst still being affordable.

On with the haul!

1. Active Trackpants – Grey

One of the most important things for me when it comes to clothing is comfort. I’m sure we all have those items of clothing we wear around the house and make us feel comfortable. That was my first thought when I saw these pants. They are made from slub fleece and are the comfiest things ever! I have not taken them off all weekend! These are the perfect thickness to keep you warm but still feel light to wear. These can be worn if you’re lounging around or being active, I imagine these would be amazing to wear in the gym.

2. 7/8 Ripped Jeans – Indigo

I remember shortly after the Petites range launched I compiled a list of My Top Picks and a pair of jeans very similar to this featured on that list. That pair was also Indigo but instead of having ripped knees the jeans had zips at the ankles. These are skinny jeans but they’re not too tight and still feel comfortable around my waist and hips and when I sit down. This is the probably the first ever pair of jeans I’ve owned that doesn’t gather at the ankles. Previously I thought the distressed knee look wouldn’t suit me but I like how it makes the jeans look more lived in. (It’s funny how our tastes change). These can be styled casually for a more relaxed look but can also be dressed up.

3. High Neck Knit Top – White

A few years ago I would have said no to knitwear but I have come to accept the fact that certain pieces do look nice. I’m really liking the high neck style especially heading into the colder months. This top is sleeveless and can be worn on it’s own (it would look super cool with the jeans above) or layered up for winter. I also like how the hi-low hem is not overly long at the back which means I won’t end up pulling on it every time I sit down. The little black embellishment on the hemline featuring a hummingbird and the DM logo is a cute addition.

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I only purchased three items this time around but I can see myself quickly becoming addicted to shopping for petite clothing! New pieces are released every few months so it could turn into an expensive hobby. One thing’s for sure, I definitely don’t have to worry about whether it’s going to fit or not.

What do you think of the pieces I purchased?

Weekend Beauty Haul

Hello everyone! I was out shopping at the weekend and once again purchased some beauty bits I want to share with you. A few of these items are essentials; I’m nearly out of nail polish remover and bras are just part of everyday life. The other items I purchased because they look interesting and when you’re a beauty blogger there’s always temptation to buy a new product to test it out and hopefully rave about it to your fellow bloggers.

1. Berlei Barely There Contour Bra

I can’t tell you how long I’ve had my current bras for and how long it’s been since I purchased a new one. Berlei is a brand I’ve heard of but haven’t tried before and what drew me to this particular bra was the colour (it’s called Picnic Pink) and how comfortable it looked. I tried this on in the changing room and it was just as comfortable. This bra has padding in the cups which normally I don’t like (or need) but it didn’t bother me when I tried it on. I purchased this bra in a cup size up than I’m used to but as I said I haven’t purchased bras in a while and it’s likely I’ve changed size.

2. W7 In the Nude Palette

W7 have created dupes for the ever so popular Naked palettes from Urban Decay. $70 is what it would cost me to buy a genuine Naked palette so I thought, why not spend $12 on a dupe instead? The shades aren’t going to be the same or of the same quality but $12 is a heck of a lot more justifiable than $70. In the Nude is the dupe for Naked 3 and I went for this as these colours appealed most to me and I felt the Naked and Naked 2 dupes were similar to my Maybelline ‘The Nudes’ palette. Let me know if you have this palette or have tried it!

A closer look at the palette:

3. W7 Power Puff

If you’re as big a fan as I am of Karen from Confetti and Curves’ YouTube videos you will have seen her video last week comparing the original Beauty Blender and a W7 Power Puff. Again, this is a product designed as a dupe and I picked this sponge up in a huge discount makeup sale (along with the W7 palette) which comes to town a few times a year. I wanted to try applying my makeup with a sponge to see if it gives as flawless a finish as everyone says they do and even if this product is not that great I haven’t spent a fortune on it. Thanks for the heads up Karen!

4. Cutex Strengthening Nail Polish Remover

I have been using Cutex’s nourishing nail polish remover and I am undecided whether I like the product or not. On one hand it removes certain polishes quickly and doesn’t have a strong nail polish remover smell but when I use it to remove red, it’s pretty bad. Regardless of what shade I’m removing I always have to wash my hands a couple of times afterwards to get rid of a sticky feeling it leaves behind. Hopefully this one is better.

5. Rimmel Apocolips Show Off Lip Lacquer

The bulk of my lip products are traditional bullet lipsticks but I really like glosses that aren’t sticky and pack a punch colour wise. I’ve been wanting to try Rimmel’s Apocolips Lip Lacquers for a while and I picked up three; there was a three for two offer on. The colours I had to choose from weren’t the complete range but I went for: 102 Nova, 200 Comet and 201 Solstice. Comet and Solstice look really similar but Solstice is slightly lighter and has shimmer running through it. These lean towards brown/dark pink which are not shades I’ve tried but I’m impressed. The formula is creamy, not sticky and very pigmented.

Rimmel Apocolips Swatches

Clockwise: Nova, Solstice and Comet.

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Let me know your thoughts on what I picked up and what you got up to at the weekend! Did you go shopping like I did or spend time with your loved one for Valentine’s Day?