May Favourites 2017

I know it was only a couple of weeks ago that I got around to posting my April favourites, but this month I’m on time, so we’re going to go with it haha.

I’ve actually been loving quite a few things in May and I can’t wait to share them with you. Let me know if you’ve been loving any of the same things!

Elf Face Powder

It can’t be a favourites on this blog without mentioning an Elf product it seems… I got this recently and I really like it! A finely milled powder in nice packaging, and it great with the sponge for touch ups on the go. I really have enjoyed this!

Argan Oil Body Lotion

Kmart in Australia has released this range of Argan, Coconut, Shea and Macadamia oil hair and body products, like hair oils and masks, shampoos, and lotions. I got this for $4 because I love the scent of the hair oil, but wasn’t expecting much from it. Boy, was I wrong! This is one of the best body lotions I’ve ever used, comparable to body shop, Bath & Body Works and Soap and Glory. It sinks in really quickly, is super moisturising and I am surprised at how amazing it is. Definitely check it out if you’re an Aussie!

The Balm Hot Mama Blush

I grabbed this blush on a whim, and didn’t think I’d like it that much – but WOW. This is a beautiful peachy blush with a golden sheen, very comparable to NARS orgasm but more pigmented in my opinion. It’s very shiny; you don’t need a highlighter with it. But I love how easy it is for that reason – at 6am when I’m doing my makeup for work I can’t be bothered with a heap of products and this just does it all!

The Handmaid’s Tale

I have been O B S E S S E D with this show and book right now. If you haven’t watched the show and you like dystopian fiction, download the first episode NOW. I’ve been reading the book too, which I’ve also really enjoyed!

Label.m Oat & Honey Hair Mask

I definitely think this mask has helped my hair out – whenever I use it my hair becomes so soft and silky. This mask smells great and simply works great, what more would you want?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Gods

I read Neil Gaiman’s American Gods at some point last year and loved it, but I have to admit I was skeptical when I heard they were making a show, even if it did include some fantastic actors. I stand corrected though, as this show is next level. Bryan Fuller is one of my favourite directors (he directed Hannibal) and he doesn’t disappoint here. Tip: read the book before the show, because it literally will make no sense otherwise, lol.

Nick Murphy

Good old Aussie singer Chet Faker has rebranded himself with his real name Nick Murphy and released an album, and I’ve been obsessed with it! Your Time is on repeat for me right now, it’s so chilled but sexy. Check it out here!

Zoe x

Come chat!

–instagram
–pinterest
–twitter
–tumblr

March Favourites 2017

This month I have discovered a whole array of new things that I have come to love!

Mario Badesco Drying Lotion

I know everyone harps on about this, but it is completely warranted! I use this stuff to calm down spots, ones that have come up and ones that are brewing, and also to dry out those weird hormonal bumps on my chin. I absolutely can’t get over how much it has cleared up my skin, and it’s definitely worth a try!

IKEA Bed & Bedside Tables

My new TARVA bed and RAST bedside tables have been an obsession of mine. When I moved into this apartment I didn’t have a bedframe, and having one makes a huge difference to the overall ‘homey’ feel of it. The fairy lights are from kmart, the bedding from IKEA and the cushion was a gift. Stay tuned for more ~aesthetic~ photos in my apartment tour!

Elf Flawless Finish Foundation

I would consider this $10 foundation comparable to the NARS Sheer Glow. I’m not kidding. Their shade range for pale skin is amazing, with just the right amount of yellow to neutral out the pinkness in my fair complexion. It has great medium coverage, a lovely demi-matte finish and lasts quite well throughout the day. It also comes in a gorgeous glass bottle that makes the product look like NARS as well as perform like it!

Lip Lab Lipstick

For Christmas, my mum bought me a voucher to go to the Lip Lab in Paddington (Sydney), where you get to create your own lipstick and they make it in front of you. You get to personally create the colour, pick a formula, choose a scent, name it, insert additives like lip plumper and moisturiser – you can basically create your dream lipstick, and that’s exactly what I did. I’m in love with it!

Zoella Sweet Inspirations Body Mist & Double Creme Lotion

This range has recently become available in Target in Australia and I was super excited about it! I have to say, I still prefer the original scent but this is still a very nice sweet scent. I find it works really well as a base for other perfumes too, complementing them with vanilla and sweet almond. The bottle is also beautiful, making it perfect for display

Pop Sockets

I have been on the popsocket trend for a while now – so much so that I physically cannot hold my phone without it! If you haven’t tried popsockets, get on board! Phone grips, headphone winder and phone stand? Absolute win. I also recently picked up the phone holder that I have attached to my car dashboard, making my life SO much easier. I get my popsockets online and from Sportsgirl, my phone case is from Kmart.

Simple Oil Cleanser

My best friend got me onto this and I’m really digging it! It’s a lovely hydrating and gentle way to take your makeup off at the end of the day. I definitely need to cleanse afterwards, and if I’m wearing a particularly heavy face of makeup I tend to swipe a bit of micellar water over my skin too, but for the most part this is just fine at melting down the makeup. Its scent is lovely and it’s a super inexpensive product.

Elf Acne Fighting Primer

I picked this up at the same time as I got the Elf foundation, and I really like it! I can’t wait to grab their illuminating one. I don’t think it does a heap for my skin in terms of ‘blemish control’, but it’s a light, fresh and moisturising primer that definitely keeps my makeup looking nicer for longer. For the price, you really can’t go wrong. Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate the step up in Elf packaging?!

 

Morphe M504 Blending Brush

This blending brush I ordered off Beauty Bay and I’m obsessed with it. I’ve never used anything Morphe before, but the quality for the price is incredible. It picks up colour so well, blends it out nicely and doesn’t disrupt the pigmentation. I love it!

Zoe x

Come chat!

–instagram
–pinterest
–twitter
–tumblr

My Haircare Routine

My hair used to be dry as fuck – and that was before I dyed it. It got to a point that I was at a hairdressers getting a trim and she was genuinely surprised at how long it was as “it is so dry, how is it still growing?”. Talk about embarrassing, I swear the old lady next to me was giggling through her dentures.

Anyway, I decided right then and there that I was going to a) dye it. Counter-intuitive, I know. I figured though that if it was already dry and unhealthy, bleach couldn’t make it much worse and I was always scared of making my hair unhealthy by dyeing it. And hey, I was right. In fact, because I was so scared of bleaching it, it really made me reevaluate how I looked after my hair.

I was using heat on it a couple of times a week, and washing it pretty regularly. Now – I’d be lucky to wash it twice a week, and it’s healthy and getting wavier, growing healthier and all round shining. You may not think it from the photos, but to me this is a HUGE improvement and I’m loving the way my hair is looking these days.

Let me tell you though, this is no ‘do-it-once’ type of situation. I have been trying to get my hair from fried to somewhat presentable for almost three months now, and it’s only recently I’ve started seeing an improvement. Patience is key here. So, without further rambling, let’s get into my step-by-step haircare routine.

1. Washing & Drying

I tend to use whatever is cheapest as my shampoo and conditioner. I know, I know, so bad for me, ruining the planet etc etc, but buying a $50 conditioner really isn’t in my budget right now. Forgive me, but I’d rather be fed. Just saying.

Anyway, I only wash my hair once a week, maybe twice if it’s getting all gross from the gym. I wash my scalp with shampoo, really massaging it in, and then use conditioner on my ends and leave it for a couple of minutes before rinsing. Then, I always follow with a mask. May seem a bit extreme, but I do wash my hair so rarely I can get away with it. I’ll use any mask, but leave it in for a solid five minutes and then rinse out with cold water.

2. In Between Washes

I brush my hair every morning and put in some dry shampoo if I feel like I need it. I then, usually morning and night, put an oil through my hair. I have become addicted to hair oil – it’s becoming concerning. I find the best one that doesn’t leave my hair looking greasy is the Argan Oil one, but really I’ll go depending on whatever I want to smell like that day/whatever is in arm’s reach at 5.30am.

*Batiste is good, don’t get me wrong. I like the coconut one. But I also think the Pantene and VO5 ones are just as good and A LOT cheaper. Just a tip.

Clockwise:
NUXE Huile Prodigieuse
Kmart Coconut Oil Conditioning Spray
Body Shop Shea beautifying oil
Kmart Argan Oil Treatment oil
Argan Oil

I also only use a tangle teaser (this is a kmart dupe) when I brush my hair, and try to only brush it when it’s dry.

Hope you learnt something!

Zoe x

Come chat!

–instagram
–twitter
–tumblr

2016 Favourites

2016 was, for a lot of people, their worst year to date. For me however, it was quite the opposite. As cliche as it sounds, I felt like this was the year I started to figure out who I was and what I wanted my life to look like. I finished my first novel, moved house, travelled overseas twice and graduated university. So, I thought I’d share my favourite things from this year. I hope you enjoy!

Favourite Moment

In 2016, My favourite moment was definitely walking out of my uni for the last time and knowing I’d never have to go back. Despite the pressure of the job hunt now, I am so freaking happy that chapter of my life is over.

Favourite Trip

As you’d know if you keep up with this blog, I’ve had some amazing opportunities in terms of travel this past year, heading to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and bits and pieces around Australia. My favourite out of all of them would probably have to be Hong Kong though, as it was just so much fun jam-packed into a week in an incredible city. HK isn’t the cheapest place to visit, but I would go back in a heartbeat.

 

Favourite Makeup Product

As you’ve probably guessed if you’ve seen any of my makeup posts, I was obsessed with the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette this year. I would happily ditch all my other eyeshadows for this one palette, as it just has everything and the quality is well worth the money.

Favourite Perfume

2016 for me was the year of YSL’s Black Opium, which I never thought I’d buy into the hype about. But, when my best friend gave me a bottle of it that she didn’t like on herself, I totally understood the excitement about it. It’s just such a sexy scent, I always feel confident when I wear it.

Favourite Clothing Item

My Adidas Stans have been my go-to shoe since I got them mid year, and honestly they are part of every outfit I wear. I usually pair them with some Topshop Jaime jeans, which have also been another favourite.

Favourite Music

2016 had some amazing music, and my favourites were RUFUS, Ari’s album and Zayn.

Favourite Accessories

I received both this necklace (it has the Gemini constellation on it) and this silver ring from my mum, and I never take them off. They were definitely staples of 2016.

Favourite Movie

I loved the movie ‘Nerve’! I really enjoyed the way it was shot and the storyline, and would definitely recommend seeing it if you haven’t.

Favourite TV Show

The Kettering Incident is an Australian sci-fi thriller tv show that premiered in 2016 and it was absolutely incredible. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched it, and I can’t wait for Season 2.

I couldn’t pick just one though – Westworld was an absolute masterpiece of TV and I was obsessed with it in 2016.

 

Favourite Book

This book about the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ really inspired me, and I really enjoyed my time reading it in 2016.

What did you love in 2016? I hope one of your favourites was reading my blog!

Zoe x

Come chat!

–instagram
–twitter
–tumblr

Favourite Christmas Products • Blogmas

Welcome to my Blogmas! I love Christmas so much, and the best way to celebrate is with Christmas related posts every day at 5pm WordPress time until the 25th! Hope you enjoy!

Today I’m sharing some of my favourite things around the festive season, from makeup, to candles, to skincare and random stuff.

I am in love with candles this festive season! My favourites are Merry Cookie and Warm Apple Pie by Bath & Bodyworks.

My favourite nail polishes this season have been white with gold flecks. My favourite formula is by Barry M.

Christmas earrings have also been a favourite, as you can’t not feel festive with some cute snowflakes on your ears!

I have been slathering myself in Vanilla Bean Noel body lotion by Bath & Bodyworks and I am just in love. It smells like sweet vanilla, but it isn’t too overpowering and it’s super moisturising.

Lights and fairy lights have been helping me get into the festive spirit! I love this snowflake globe from Dusk filled with string lights as in a dark room you can see the snowflakes on the ceiling and walls.

Considering the amount of horrible food and alcohol this month, I’ve been making a conscious effort to take better care of my skin. Every now and then I use a glam glow mask, but most nights I’ll put the Origins Drink Up Intensive mask for extra hydration.

In terms of makeup, I have been all about the bronzing and glossy lips. Pictured are my favourites for my pale skin; NYX HD Blush in Taupe, MAC Bronzing Powder, Bath & Bodyworks Vanilla Bean Noel Lip Gloss.

This is turning into a Bath & Bodyworks hall, but their scents are to die for. The Merry Cookie antibac and hand cream have followed me everywhere this month!

What have been your Christmas essentials?

Merry Christmas, come chat!

–instagram
–twitter
–tumblr

My Favourite Childhood Books

Feeling nostalgic isn’t something a lot of people love, but I really enjoy the good memories from my childhood. So, I thought I’d share my favourite childhood books to see if any of you had the same! A lot of these are classics, and could serve as good inspiration for gifts for baby showers or christenings. If you love old books like I do, you’ll get a kick out of this one. Who says kids books are just for kids?! Enjoy!

Enid Blyton

I absolutely love Enid Blyton’s books as they are just so magical. These were my mum’s and I love to read them every now and then.

Fairy Tales

I read fairy tales way more often than I’d like to admit. There is something so calming about them. I have been through this 700+ page book probably around 50 times and I can’t get enough. Some of the stories are so quirky and beautiful, I’ll never be too old for these.

Shirley Barber

I absolutely adore Shirley Barber’s artwork, and if you’ve never heard of her, Google her. She is spectacular and the images she creates are just stunning. I can’t wait to pass these books onto my own kids some day.

Scholastic Book Fair Books

Did anyone else live for the book fairs?! I had so many of these little box books but this is the one that’s lasted. I don’t really know why, I wouldn’t have ever said I was a real girly girl (I had a thing for magic though, you can probably tell lol) but reading it just makes me smile. I used to run around the place sprinkling dust and waving my wand!

Wizardology

I think most people had one of these books, either this or Egyptology or Dragonology. You can still get them today and I think they’re just so cool!

Those Random Little Books…

 

 

Most people have a collection of random little books like this don’t they? I know I have practically a whole shelf of them (I have a lot of books…) and every now and then it’s so fun to peek through them and relive what I used to love as a three or four year old. They’re so cute!

Harry Potter

 

This can’t be a childhood book post without mentioning Harry Potter. I breathed that shit in. I had my own wand, Harry Potter book bag with notebooks I had made, my own quill, cloak, broomstick, invisibility cloak, you name it. I have a read time turner, Marauders Map and Scarf. I even used to write my own versions of the Daily Prophet. Reading these books (or one of the many other Harry Potter related books I own) immediately transports me back to a lovely place.

 

If you liked this post I’d be more than happy to share some of my favourite childhood movies and games too! Let me know 🙂

Here’s a bonus for making it to the end – me as a four year old!

Don’t forget to check out my posts over on My Trending Stories, as I share some of my creative pieces and other fun stuff! Your likes and follows over there mean the world. Read up here.

Zoe x

Come chat!

–instagram (I’m almost at 200 followers!)
–twitter
–tumblr

August Favourites

August has gone way to quickly! Kidding, I’m not going to start this post with that cliche. What I am going to start with is that this month I have been seriously loving some stuff. So, let’s cut the crap and get into this month’s faves.

1#
I finally got my hands after months of lusting on a pair of Adidas stans. Yes, this makes me basic, but I don’t care. They are so comfy, especially walking around my uni campus all day, and I think white shoes are going to look great as it gets warmer down here in Australia.

2#

This bomber from Boohoo is so warm and has some really cool gold hardware. I’ve barely taken it off since I got it, plus it was so cheap! Boohoo is always having sales and their stuff is actually pretty good I think.

Check it out here 🙂

3#

You may have noticed my photography game just headed up a million levels, and it’s all thanks to my new baby, my canon EOS M10! I LOVE this camera, as it’s mirrorless but with interchangeable lenses. It came with a 15-45mm lens and I don’t even feel like I need any more. I absolutely am dying over this camera, I mean, look at this selfie I took in it!

 

4#

I got this Marley Chant Bluetooth speaker for my birthday in June and I’ve always loved it, but this month I’ve barely stopped using it. I had a killer month regarding assessments, so blasting music through this was the only way to get me through. It’s so good for workouts, parties, or just chilling out to some classical music. I love this thing, the sound and quality is insane. Also, it’s so cute!

5#

I finally am trying the Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder and I’m obsessed. It makes your skin look so glowy and healthy! This is a mini, and I really don’t see why you would ever need a big one – I feel like I’ll never hit pan.

 

6#

If you were a Percy Jackon fangirl when you were younger like I was, then I’m sure you’ll be sharing my excitement at this one. This book is a detailed description of all the Greek Gods & Goddesses (I love Greek mythology FYI) from Percy’s perspective and it’s so funny! This would not only be a great gift for a younger person, but also just a really entertaining read for yourself! Who says kids books are just for kids?? I’m an English major and I still loved it.

What have you been loving in August?

Zoe x

Come chat!

–instagram (I’m almost at 200 followers!)
–twitter
–tumblr