New blog!

Hey!

If you follow this blog for its travel related content.
Good news! I have created a new blog over at

https://whirlofwanderlust.wordpress.com

It has great articials such as:
Essential Long Haul Beauty Items
Top travel Tattoos
A Cheat Sheet for Dubai
Reasons to love London

And much more!

Be sure to head over and check it out!

I can't wait to hear from you!

OOTD: Vivacious Venice

Lush Lucerne

ACNE CURE| My Journey to Clear Skin

Vegan Hypocrisy

I thought today I'd post something a little different. Its a discussion on the benefits, or lack of, of being vegan.

Now, I've been known to try out a diet fad or two, gluten free, sugar free, vegetarian etc. However, there is one lifestyle that I've been debating in my mind for a few months now. Vegan-isim. Firstly, I wonder if it is better for you than meat and secondly, I wonder if it is even possible to fully embrace veganisim or is it a bit of an oxymoron.

vegan

ˈviːɡ(ə)n/

noun

1. a person who does not eat or use animal products.

The Grounds of Alexandria

 Recently, Daniel and I went to The Grounds of Alexandria for Brunch because it was our anniversary!!

A dedication to quality and passion for produce is evident in every aspect of The Grounds, from the finest coffee and exquisite bakery delights; to the abundant garden overflowing with fresh produce used daily in the seasonally-driven menu. The menu is rustic, wholesome and bursting with the flavour of The Grounds own-grown produce supplemented with the finest available ingredients from producers further afield.

Guests can expect to enjoy a hearty, home style selection of dishes; soft-boiled free range eggs rolled in crispy quinoa with asparagus and truffle oil; crispy chicken schnitzel with salsa verde and house slaw or hand made pappardelle with slow braised lamb and peas.

We originally wanted to eat at The grounds Cafe but after hearing about the 2 hour wait, we were not so keen! So we ended up at The Potting Shed. It was super cute and everything was in theme, you know I love a good theme. You can see in the pictures that they had a shovel head as the clip board for the menu and you drank out of pot plants. 

19 Ways to Handle Anxiety

This was a bad week. I suffer for anxiety attacks fairly regularly but they do not usually progress to panic attacks, emphasis on the 'usually'. I was so worn down by my anxiety, this week, that it literally bought my to tears. So I thought I'd make a list of all the little things I do to help curb my anxiety, hopefully it helps someone else out there. 

Real Techniques Brushes: Review

Sisters Sam and Nic Chapman are the stars of the UK’s No. 1 YouTube beauty channel, Pixiwoo. The sisters have a combined 30 years of experience, both starting their careers as makeup artists soon after their sixteenth birthdays, working countless fashion shows, red carpets, editorials and collaborating with some of the top fashion photographers and magazines in the world. In 2008, Sam and Nic launched the Pixiwoo YouTube channel where they offer tips, tutorials and advice to women around the world on how to achieve the best and hottest looks. Sam and Nic live outside of London, England. Both sisters have two children. They have also created their own line of make up brushes!

Being in Australia, I was wrapped to hear we were actually selling them here! That never happens! So I ran out to my closest Priceline to try them out, this is what I found!

2015 Upcoming Fashion Trends

London, Paris and New York Fashion Week has been happening this month and i've been watching the runways very closely and I can now tell you how you can keep your outfits up to date and on point this season.

As we know, pretty much every industry, has been on a 90's noasolga kick for the past year or so. Before that, it start with the Neon 80's trend that happened in 2007. Following that trend, this year we will be starting to see a lot of inspiration drawing from the 2000's.

A-symetric clothing 

Believe it or not, your shoulders have become the sexiest part of your body overnight! Show them off in these one-shoulder tops and dresses (a twist on spring 2014's off-the-shoulder ones) that are perfect for date night

When Bridesmaids go BAD

There is nothing more magical than having your bestest friend the world running up to you and telling you all about how her wonderful boyfriend gave her the most beautiful proposal. Then, when you think it can't get any better, she asks you to be her Bridesmaid!

You are so overwhelmed and happy that you yell "Of course!! Why wouldn't I?" Right there, that moment, is where most wedding drama cumulates.

All wedding horror stories are either about a rouge Bridesmaid/s or a Bridezilla punishing the Bridesmaids. ( Or family matter, but you can't choose your family, so we are not going to focus on that.)

Before saying YES to being a Bridesmaid, really thing of what is expected of you. If you think this means you get to be one of the elite entourage at the wedding and turn up to the parties. You are WRONG!

Being a Bridesmaid means that you, not only attend these parties, you throw them! Because you are usually in a  group with other girls, you have to be considerate of the pricing and other peoples budgets. So, that means you DIY that party! You can not just pay a fact event organiser to take care of  everything.

So here is my list of considerations you should have before agreeing to be someones Bridesmaid:

Meet Bambi: Our New Puppy

So, I've wanted to get a puppy pretty much for 2 years straight. So you can imagine that the second I got my own place, I started looking.

I've had Shelties my whole life so I knew I wanted one and I wanted a girl. Apprently female Shelties are in high demand because I looked everyday and there where none for sale nation wide for about 2 months!


Finally, I cam across Bambi.

A Year in Review

Although I may have been very slow on the blogging front, my life on the other hand, has been crazy busy.

So I thought I'd post a little year in review, so we can move into 2015 all caught up!

I went bunny Jumping in New Zealand

Adventures in New Zealand

In January Daniel and I decided to take a trip to New Zealand, Australia's dorky cousin! We focused mostly on the South Island and it was stunning! Our trip was everything from beautiful landscapes, like the one above, to never being so scared before! However, we were plauged with terrible weather throughout the trip which proved to be problematic. But in Queenstown, the weather changes every 15 minutes, so we managed. 

OOTD: All Glam'd Up for the Races!

On Saturday, my friends and I decided to spoil ourselves and get all glam'd up and go to Rosehill racecourse. I included some pictures from the day at the bottom of this post, it is a little day in the life also!

OOTD: Tolkien of my Love

This a little taste test of whats to come, these photos were taken in Queenstown New zealand, the real middle earth. We hiked up a mountain to get these amazing shots. What can I say, I am Beorn to be Wild. Ok, enough puns. 

I am wearing
Top: Plain black tee from Target
Pants: Black milk Leggings with the Middle Earth Map for a print.
Shoes: Wanted

Worst Dressed at the 2014 MET Gala

The Met gala is finally here, and while I've got my favorite looks of the night, there was also a handful of getups that left us, how shall I put this, befuddled.

After all, Anna Wintour's annual Costume Institute gala is all about striking the balance between fashion-forward and chic, and that can be a tall order.

Some stars pulled this off with incredible ease, while others took a giant leap of fashion faith…but the whole look just didn't quite come together.

Case in point: Kate Upton's black sheer getup that looks like it's from a creepy Victorian ghost story. Shudder. And then there was Sandra Lee, who looked like a fairy godmother I definitely wouldn't want to dress me for the ball.

Look, if everyone was a perfect ten, then the red carpet would be a pretty boring place. So here are my favourite Met missteps of the night. We gotta give 'em props for at least keeping things interesting!

SANDRA LEE

Oof. Oh, Sandra. The Semi-Homemadehost went full on '80s prom for the Met gala in this massive white, fairy godmother-esque getup

KATIE HOLMES

OK, to her defense, canary yellow is one of the hardest colors to pull off. But that's not my main beef with this Belle-inspired gown. There's so much dress!

KATE UPTON

Kate Upton is one gorgeous girl, but this sheer and corseted number isn't doing her any favors. And that explosion of flowers on her head really sends this look over the edge.

LUPITA NYONG'O

Who greenlit this getup...literally? The unthinkable happened: Lupita finally made a red carpet misstep in this flapper-inspired Prada getup. It was bound to happen, and after all those hits I think she's earned at least one mis

KRISTEN STEWART

Kristen looks like she really wishes she was at last year's punk-themed gala

LEA MICHELE

The extra layer of material in the middle of Lea's gold Altuzarra gown is throwing me off a bit.

LENA DUNHAM

The short hemline has a fun and flirty feel, but it kinda seems like the dress is wearing Lena, instead of Lena wearing the dress

NICOLE RICHIE

I never thought I'd see this much sideboob at a white tie affair. This seems better suited for last year's punk theme

Best Dressed Stars at the 2014 Met Gala

Imma be real wit you: There were a lot more worst dressed stars than best dressed stars at the 2014 Met Gala. Sorry, but it's the truth.

But hey, at least that makes the few fashion highlights truly stand out. Also, it helped that three out of our top ten were wearing bright pink. Starting with Reece Witherspoon and Kate Bosworth who were both in rosey-hued Stella McCartney numbers. Equally as stunning was Emma Stone who looked gorgeous in a Thakoon crop top and skirt combo, also hot pink.

Then there were a few metallics that caught our eye. Like Blake Lively's dazzling Gucci dress and Diane Kruger's silver gown by Jason Wu for Hugo Boss.

EMMA STONE

I can't decided which hot pink look is our favorite but The Amazing Spider-Manstar is certainly in the running (and probably in the lead) with this sexy crop top and skirt combo by Thakoon

BLAKE LIVELY

Attention world: It's the return of the blond bombshell! The actress brought back the full va-va-voom in this glittery Gucci gown.

REESE WITHERSPOON

Reese was equally as stunning is this rosy Stella McCartney gown, which the Oscar winner paired with a matching lipstick.

KENDALL JENNER

For her first time at the fashion fête the model knocked it out of the park Met in this elegant gown by Topshop. Some of the veterans could certainly learn a thing or two from her.

KAROLINA KURKOVA

I believe the reaction Karolina (in Marchesa) was hoping for was the jaw-drop and she'll be happy to hear mine was wide open the second she arrived in one of the biggest statement gowns of the night.

DITA VON TEESE

Warning: Serious curves ahead! Who else but Dita could shut it down in this Zac Posen number?


Be sure to check out the worst dressed over here

Where have I been?

No where much surprisingly. However we did travel to New Zealand and Melbourne in January, I'll be sure to post photos from our trips away.

Honestly, work has been very busy the last few months and Daniel and I have been in the process of buying a house.

Which is as hard as it is soul crushing.

To get back on the blogging band wagon, I am changing the subject of this blog. No longer will it be exclusively beauty, I will be adding a lifestyle and travel angle. Which will make it easier for me to post more regularly and also because I LOVE reading other peoples lifestyle blogs. Its like reality Tv but real and in words.

When we find a place, look forward to DIY adventures and interior decorating posts. I'll be keeping you guys updated on the house situation but it is not looking like we will find a place for at least a month or 2. So don't get too excited.

Unfortunately I think I will be flooding the blog with the backlog of posts have had lined up. But hey, the more the merrier!

I look forward to posting again and I will be setting up this blog up to be apart of BlogLovin, to make it easier for you to subscribe and not miss a post!

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Her

There’s nothing wrong with giving flowers or candy on valentine’s day [I mean, I would be extremely happy with getting those any day because they're two of my all time favorite things #basicprobz]. But if you’re looking for something different, the BEST kind of gifts are presents that someone would love, but would never actually want to spend the money on for themselves. So if you’re a guy looking for his girlfriend, or a girl looking for your bff [best friend eva award, ps] here’s my guide for gifts she’ll love that won’t break your bank


1. Blow Out Gift Card


Blow outs are one of my all time favorite things- I mean, someone else washes/styles your hair while you sit and sip champagne? Nothing better than taking the stress out of getting ready and turning it into a fun treat. Girls love any kind of spa treatment, and this one is simple, cheap and will definitely be appreciated!

My recommendation: I personally love drybar, but most salons offer blowout services. There are other salons specifically dedicated to just blow outs, but this one has always delivered the best experience for the best price.

Price Point: $40

2. Perfume


Perfume is one of those things all girls love, but rarely ever want to spend money on. The thought of spending around $80 never seems reasonable, even if it’s on something you use every day. Getting her a new scent will be thoughtful, actually enjoyable and something she’ll be reminded by every day.

My recommendation: Love Express for Women is the perfect scent to get in the spring mindset. It’s light, it’s fresh and the best part? It’s comparable to popular, fruity scents while being at least $20 less expensive than it’s counterparts.

Price Point: $44

3. Makeup


This may seem daunting from a male’s perspective, but this is a great gift if you’re dating a girlier girl. We love all things makeup / beauty / nails, and getting it as a gift is great because it shows you know her interests. From girl to girl, I can personally say I would love if a friend gave me this! I love my original naked palette, but don’t want to invest in buying another one when I have other expenses.

My recommendation: Naked 3 Palette from Urban Decay. You can’t go wrong with this high end set of neutrals- it can be used to create a million different looks!

Price Point: $52

4. Tiffany’s


It’s pretty obvious that any girl would die to get a little blue box as a gift. Most people think it’s extremely expensive, but there are so many great gifts for inexpensive prices! Just remember: flowers last for a week, Tiffany’s lasts forever.

My recommendation: wine glasses

This gift is literally killing six birds with one stone. You’re giving her a gift for her home, you’re giving her something that you can use together AND it’s going to come in the largest Tiffany’s box ever. These are my favorite gifts to give to my friends because nothing makes you feel more special than seeing this large, super-lux gift. You get to keep the box, and then use the wine glasses for girls nights together for years!

A Day in the Life: My Christmas

Hello and welcome to 2014!

As you can probably tell, the blog has been a little dead for a while, but that was because of Christmas, blame Jesus. Anywho, it is back to regularly scheduled programming from now on. I thought I would share with you some of my pictures from my holiday break. I warn you, I got a new 50 mm lense. This means you going to see a lot of short depths of fields. 

We bought my Pop a bird for christmas as a surpise. This photo was taken stright after he got given it. As you can see, it was love at first sight.

My family like silly hats, we are wild like that.

As per tradition, we get given scratchies under our plates and we see if we win. Also, following tradition, I won $4. Not a lot but its four more dollars then I had before!

An afternoon at my aunties

This is Indi, my cousins dog. I thought this was just a stunning photo not to include!