You may have noticed an increase in the number of photos and posts about fashion and beauty from me recently. This isn’t purely an exercise in narcissism and the superficial. I prefer to think of it as a belated embracing of my body, my self and my sense of style.

I’m 31 and I want to enjoy life! For me, that means feeling good about the way I present myself. Not purely in pursuit of vanity (though to deny that a focus on external beauty is a bit vain would be, well vain) but because I am tired of buying into the idea that beauty and fashion are only for those who wear a size 10, that feeling an looking good is something I need to “hold off on” until I “lose a bit more weight”.

Bah Humbug!

It’s very convenient that this revelation has come at a time when the colours and styles in store feel very “me”.

Truth me told, I have always had a love-hate relationship with fashion. The hate part being, jumping on the bandwagon of the latest fad, the love part being finding clothes I adore that actually fit and suit me . At the moment I love what’s “in” – the colours, the styles – all of it. I know that for many the latest trends are actually just the look they’ve been wearing for years…the gorgeous boho, vintage style with the cute hair and if you can really pull it off (or need to rather), the glasses. I don’t know if I could pull it off but I really love it. And now, after years of watching trendy friends wear trendy clothes, finally, they can be found in places other than op-shops; in sizes I can wear and I’m excited!

I would never wear all these items, but I love them none-the-less!

 

The Architect said to me last week that when I first came to Melbourne nothing I wore matched – it looked like I had just put on my favourite things.

Since doing a major cull of my wardrobe last year and another one just recently, I have been gradually buying pieces that I simply love. I highly recommend it! Now, it’s so much easier to get dressed as my wardrobe is made up of clothes I love and that fit me well.

I’ve also started paying more attention to accessories have now have a growing number of fun scarves and necklaces and even earrings! Recently I’ve added some great pieces to my “collection” if it can be called that – I love them all!

1. Elk Necklace    2. Saltwater Sandals    3. Blue Illusion scarf    4.Emily Green earrings

My 20s are over, my 30s have just arrived and I’m not going to waste them worrying about what “could” be when what “is” is just so darn fantastic!

Do you like the way you dress? Do you feel fun/sexy/confident? If not, what’s holding you back?

 

Incoming search terms:

• adult saltwater sandals
• my make up stuff
• op shops melbourne
• elizabeth jane hurley
• vintage boho clothing

I don’t know about you, but my make up routine has been pretty much the same thing for the past 10 (or more) years. Same products, same range, same “buy at gift time” approach to the whole shebang. The whole idea of trying anything new was too hard, to costly and for “girls who cared about that stuff”.

That all changed last year when I was introduced to a fabulous new product called the Garnier Miracle BB Cream. I fell instantly in love. But the Garnier BB cream did more than just become my new staple product, it opened my eyes to the world of cosmetics out there.

Did you know that most women only try a new product when their existing product gets discontinued? I didn’t.

Learning that got me really wondering, what’s out there that I know nothing about but that could be totally amazing?? Maybe it’s not just “for girls who care about that stuff” but maybe it could be for me too. So I took the plunge and this is what I found…

Mineral Make-Up.

It had been whispering my name for a while but was a whole scary new world. How do you use it? What’s it for? What brush do you get? Investing in make up can be a bit exxy, and I didn’t want to splash a whole lot of cash one something that could be a disaster when I had my old faithfuls to fall back on.

What made me change my mind? Quite simply, our trip to KL in Jan. KL always brings out the adventurer in me when it comes to fashion and beauty products and this time I was determined to look into some mineral make up. Thanks to the duty free stall at KLIA, I came home with some Bobbi Brown mineral make up and brush…and I liked it. A lot.

Then I branched out further, trying the Bloom range, the Arbonne range and then BareMinerals.

I am in love.

LOVE. I tell you. (as you can possible tell from the picture of my bathroom cabinet above!)

Gone are the days of powdered matte make up for me. Gone! I love the feel of the brush, the lightness on the skin and the ease with which is can be applied.

This is possibly my favourite product: The BareMinerals Concealer and Brush

 

The Bare Minerals 20+ SPF concealer (above) is incredible. So easy to apply, and very subtle at the same time as effective. Totally love it! The best buy for Bare Minerals is one of their starter kits which RRPs for $89.95 but beautybay.com has it for $65.30 + Free postage. The concealer on it’s own is about $25 and the brush $20 so getting the kit is a GREAT deal as you receive 3 brushes, the concealer, a mineral veil, a face cover and two other shades of Bare Minerals. The kids come in Light, Medium and Dark – I have the Medium Kit and I love it.

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The Arbonne 10 piece brush set (below) is also stunning. I can’t even begin to describe how beautiful it feels and how much I love using it! I’m still figuring out all the different brushes but honestly, at $50, this is a totally worthwhile investment! The lovely Jane helped organise this for me and you can find her on Facebook.

 

So how does it work? I am wearing the mineral make up in three different days depending on how much time I have and what I am doing.

Option 1. Bare Minerals concealer + Bare Minerals All Over Face Over. This is what I do when I have no time and just need to look a bit brighter. It’s the quickest option.

Option 2. BB Cream base + A light mineral over either using the Bloom or Arbonne range. This is what I do most days, the BB cream gives a good base and also works as a primer while the mineral veil gives a nice finish.

Option 3. Primer + Arbonne Foundation + mineral viel. This one is for when I am going out somewhere special and want really good coverage.

To be honest, you wouldn’t really notice the difference to look at me – it’s more about how much “help” I feel I need and how much time I have on my hands.

 

Does your make up routine need an overhaul? Have you ventured into the world of mineral makeup?
Some of these items were sent to me for the purposes of review, the opinions stated are all my own.

Incoming search terms:

• bare minerals makeup
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Last week I started writing a post about wanting a make over. I was feeling in a rut about my “look” and wondered what do to…

Then I realised something, the secret to fashion is confidence. Change it up, embrace wearing the things you want to wear and be confident. So I did, and it was great!

Simple, right?

I’ve had the same hair for years…and years…and years…so I set myself a little challenge: to wear my hair in pigtails everyday for a week. The first day it felt really strange, but after a few days it felt good, fun, normal!

It’s also helped me make a big hair decision…I’m excited.

Oh, and I’m also embracing pink lipstick.

 

What makes you feel fashionable? What would make you feel more confident about how you look?

Incoming search terms:

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I’m loving summer. I’ve always been a colour girl and the fact that colour is “in” at the moment is making shopping a whole lot easier for me!

Some of my favourite summer colours this year have come from the Malaysian store British India.

 

I’ve been told that the whole outfit is very Frida Kahlo and that I should take that as a compliment…not sure I’m convinced but I’ll embrace it anyway. Frida Kahlo, eat your heart out!

British India is another “must visit” for those heading to Malaysia.  Not only are they loving colour this year but they have an amazing range of classics, a great range of yoga/traveller wear and some great menswear too. A full list of locations is available on their website.

Have you embraced colour this season? What’s your favourite?

 

Incoming search terms:

• british india fashion
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I’ve discovered an amazing beauty secret over the past week and had to share. For some of you this will be old news but for others it might revolutionize your summer like it has mine.

Ok, that’s possibly overstating things but nevertheless…

Bright nail polish works on people with short nails!

It’s true!

I have man hands – horrible knuckles, stumpy fingers and a true inability to grow my nails. My husband has better hands than me!!

Last week I took the plunge and this was the result…

See?! It actually works!

I’m using Revlon 220 Bubble.

Go on, give it a shot. I dare you!

Have you got a beauty secret to share?

Incoming search terms:

• simple summer nails
• i have man hands should i paint my nails?

DUPLO is one of those classic toys that connect with kids (and adults) of all ages in a way not many others can do. Thanks to the LEGO team I have a wonderful giveaway for you today, with three chances to win!

 

Doctor’s Clinic RRP $99.99

Duplo Light & Sound Fire Truck $49.99

Nurse’s Car $17.99

To enter leave a comment below telling me something you love as a parent or loved as a child about DUPLP/LEGO. The winner will be drawn on Thursday 15th December.The first prize winner will receive the Doctor’s ClinicThe second prize winner will receive the Fire TruckThe third prize winner will receive the Nurse’s CarHave you liked my new Facebook page yet? 

Terms and Conditions
Competition is open to Australian residents only and winner must have an Australian address.
Winner must reply to accept prize within 5 days of notification or competition will be redrawn.
The winners will be announced on the winners page of this blog after the 15th Dec.

Incoming search terms:

• duplo fire
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• my 8 year old cries plays with duplo
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