#OOTD

Tree of Life, $40 (on sale for $20!)

First off, yes, this is me in the photos – woo scary! Secondly, what camera do you lovelies use? I’m thinking of getting one as right now im only using my phone (hence the quality).

Anyway, lately I have been loving this gorgeous smock dress from Tree of Life! It is SO comfy and the colours are stunning. This dress is very casual and is perfect for every-day wear. I find this hippie style is great to wear to a music festival and it can be easily accessorised with some jewelery! This dress is perfect for those warm winter days and goes wonderfully with a pair of black boots.

Shirt – Topshop, $40    Trousers – Dotti, $20

I absolutely adore this look! Although, my judgement may be a little biased as my favourite stroe is Topshop, so any oufit including topshop I am bound to rave about. This Winter I have been loving the turtle-neck style (and my wardrobe is now full of them). The colour of this shirt is so pretty and goes perfectly with the trousers – plus it’s really warm, which is a bonus!

These pants are so comfy. I find I always get compliments when I wear them as they are a bit different. I have been looking for a pair of pants that aren’t jeans for ages and I finally found them – and I’m in love!

Dress – Miss Leona, ??  Jacket – Venus, $20

I cannot get over how beautiful this dress is! The lace detailing is to die for – I personally love the little mesh and lace fringe along the bottom. It is a very versatile dress as it can be worn to practically an occasion.

This jacket is the perfect match for this dress. It adds the classic red to the black and white, resulting in a lovely, sophisticated look. It is SUPER fluffy and warm (seriously, I could sleep in it!) and it adds a new texture to the look. I love to pair this outfit with some plain black flats for a gorgeous wintery look!

Hope you guys liked these outfits! ♥

Recipe: Mint Chocolate Bark

Hey guys! Back with another recipe! (should this be a regular thing? Let me know in the comments). This recipe is super quick and is perfect if your in a hurry or have had a bad day, and you just want a quick treat to keep you going! 

INGREDIENTS

• 99g white chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon canola or vegetable oil
• Green food colouring
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 226g dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
• optional: 1/3 cup chopped Andes mints

METHOD

1. Line a large baking tray with baking paper. Set aside.
2. Melt the white chocolate Use a double boiler or microwave. If using microwave, stir the chocolate every 20 seconds to help avoid seizing. Once melted and smooth, stir in oil, peppermint extract and 1 drop of the food colouring. Set aside.
3. Melt the dark chocolate in the same way you melted the chocolate in step 2. Pour onto prepared baking tray and spread out into a large rectangle. Drizzle the white chocolate mixture on top in lines. Use a toothpick to swirl the layers together. Optional: Sprinkle the top of the bark with Andes mints.
4. Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature in a cool & dry environment. My bark usually takes around 45 minutes. If needed, you can put it in the refrigerator to help speed up the process. Once hardened, break into pieces as large or as small as you would like.
5. Store in an air tight container at the back of the fridge and snack on it whenever you want!

This recipe is so simple and so yummy! Enjoy!

♥

Tag: 40 Beauty Questions

SKIN:

• How many times do you wash your face daily? I usually wash my face twice a day, once in the morning and once before i go to bed. But sometimes I don't get time in the mornings so I only do it once.
• What skin type do you have? I have dry-combination skin. During the winter months I find that my skin dries out quite a lot.
• What is your current facial wash? I use the 'Clean and Clear Daily Facial Wash'.
• Do you exfoliate? Yes, I usually do it twice a week.
• What brand do you use? I use 'Formula 10.0.6'. (their range of face-masks is AMAZING)
• What moisturiser do you use? I use the 'Clean and Clear Daily Moisturiser'(they came in a set aha).
• Do you have freckles? Yes I actually have quite a lot (i have very freckle-prone skin!!). They go very dark in Summer but they are less noticeable in Winter.
• Do you use eye cream? No i do not.
• Did you or do you have acne prone skin? No, luckily enough I have not and do not have acne prone skin (yet..)
• Did you ever have to use Pro-active?  Um no

MAKE-UP:

• What foundation do you use? I prefer not to use a super full coverage foundation so I like to use the 'Rimmel Matte BB Cream - Light'.
• What about concealer? I like to use the 'Rimmel Wake me Up Concealer - Ivory' as it also isn't too heavy-duty.
• Do you know your undetone colour? I haven't been actually matched by somebody but just by looking, I definitely have a pink/ red undertone rather than a yellow one. 
• What do you think of fake eyelashes? I personally don't wear them as I am a bit too young just yet but I do think they can make your eyes look great if you choose to wear them.
• Did you know you're meant to change your mascara every 3 months? Well, I mean I do now.. Did you guys know??
• What brand of mascara do you use? I use Covergirl mascara (the Lashblast Fushion).
• Sephora or MAC? I live in Brisbane and there isn't a Sephora near me unless you count online, but I prefer to shop in person anyway. So I'd have to say MAC.
• Do you have a MAC Pro-card? No..
• What tools do you use when applying make-up? I mainly just use a small range of brushes (both for face and eyes) and my finger tbh. (I could never get the hang of beauty blenders)
• Do you use make-up base/ primer for your eyes? I do not own a proper one so I use a dab of concealer with a sweep of translucent powder on top instead.
• For the face? No to that as well.
• What is your favourite eyeshadow? I actually don't have one and have been looking for a palette of good-quality natural shades for AGES!! Do you guys know of any? xx
• Do you use pencil or liquid liner? I like to use liquid (like a felt-tip) as I find it the easiest to use.
• What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
• Do you use mineral makeup? I have never tried  actual mineral makeup but 
• What is your favourite lipstick? Probably MAC's 'Twig' because it is such a lovely colour. I also really like the Sportsgirl 'Pout About It' lipstick in 'Mystic' (see my June/ July Favourites for more info) 
• How about lipgloss? I love the 'Snowsicle' lipgloss from Limecrime.
• What is your favourite blush? I LOVE LOVE LOVE the 'Peachykeen' blush from MAC!!
• Do you buy your makeup off ebay? No I have never bought any makeup off ebay. 
• Do you like drugstore makeup? Yes! But I have trouble finding a decent eyeshadow from the drugstore.
• Do you go to CCO's? No..?
• Did you ever consider taking makeup classes? I wouldn't mind maybe taking a few when I'm older but for now I'm fine with learning from watching youtube :)
• Are you clumsy when putting on makeup? YES. I can be very clumsy when putting on makeup. Especially eyeliner!
• Name a makeup crime that you hate? I don't like when people wear TOO much blush!
• Colourful shades or neutral shades? I much prefer neutral shades.
• If you had to leave the house with just one makeup item, what would it be? My Rimmel 'Wake me Up' concealer to hide any blemishes and my dark under-eye circles.
• Could you leave the house wearing no makeup? I do if I'm going to a friends house or down to the shops but most days (like to school) I just wear a light concealer.
• In your opinion, what is the best makeup line? Highstreet: MAC Drugstore: Rimmel 
• What do you think of makeup? I think makeup is great but it is a personal choice. You can start wearing makeup whenever YOU want. If you want to start wearing it, then great, you go for it! But if you don't want to, then you shouldn't feel pressured to do so, just because others around you are. It's your choice.

♥

10 Ways to Enjoy a Sick Day

Having a sick day at home can be very dull. Basically every time I have a sick day at home I just end up lounging in front of the TV! (which really doesn't make me feel any better!) I have finally realised that being at home sick doesn't mean you have to sit around doing nothing all day. Here are 10 relaxing, fun things you can do on a day where you are feeling under-the-weather.

Before you start, gather up everything you will need for a day in bed. This may include: tissues, cough drops, snacks, extra pillows, your laptop and your phone. I would also recommend making a soothing honey and lemon drink if you have a sore throat.

1. Read a book - this is a great way to relax and pass the time when you are sick. 
2. Watch a few episodes of your favourite show - comedies can make you feel better. Some of my favourites are: Friends, Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, Summer Heights High, Orange is the New Black and The Big Bang Theory.
3. Pamper yourself - you could paint your nails, put on a face mask or have a warm bath. When I'm feeling sick my favourite thing to do is treat myself to a nice warm bath and a face mask and it always makes me feel better.
4. Listen to music, a podcast or an audio book - sometimes staring at a screen or reading a book can only make your headache worse. So lie back, close your eyes and listen instead! I feel that getting involved in the story in this way can help you to forget how bad you feel.
5. Sit or walk outside - sometimes just some fresh air can help you feel better.
6. Shop online - sitting in bed sick? It's the perfect time to go for a browse through your favourite online shops. My personal faves are: Topshop, Peppermayo, BeginningBoutique, Boohoo.com and MadebyGrace. 
7. Sleep - sleeping is the best thing you can do to fight off a cold. Always make sure you get a couple extra hours sleep when you are sick.
8. Do some arts and crafts - art can be very calming. You could draw, paint, work on a scrapbook or whatever you're into.
9. Scroll through Pinterest - this is one of my favourite things to do on a sick day. Just go through Pinterest and test out some strange DIY's or try to do a new wacky hairstyle. 
10. Use Social Media - either go through Instagram, scroll through Tumblr or watch some Youtube. All are great ways to relax and pass the time.

I find that these are the best 10 thing to do on a sick day! What do you like to do on a sick day? xx

Make-up Q&A

• What’s your favourite eye shadow colour to wear? Natural golds and browns/ bronzes as these colours help to bring out my blue eyes.
• What’s the one product you wouldn’t leave your house without? My trusty Blistex lip-balm for when my lips are feeling a bit dry.
• What’s your favourite makeup look?  I prefer a light and natural make-up look with a gold & brown eye look. I also quite like to apply a pink blush (usually MAC's 'Peachykeen') to the apples of my cheeks to create a more flirty look. 
• Which feature do you play up the most? My eyes.
• Which feature do you try to downplay/cover up? My nose and any blemishes that may have appeared (do they count ahah).
• Your favourite makeup brand, if you could pick only ONE to exist? MAC !!
• Which product have you re-purchased OVER and OVER again? The 'Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer' as it is my favourite low-medium coverage concealer and I wear it basically everyday (which causes it to run out rather quickly too).
• Which product would you NEVER repurchase again and why? This is a hard one as I like pretty much any product I buy but if I had to pick one it would be the 'Garnier BB Cream' because I purchased the lightest shade and it was still a few shades too dark. :(
• One beauty treatment you would always PAY to have done? Manicure/ Pedicure.
• One beauty treatment you would NEVER pay to have done? Probably a facial.
• One beauty trick you can share with everyone? If you have dark under-eye circles, sweep a light shade of concealer on the "crease" of the bag and then apply your normal shade of concealer on the rest of it. This illuminates and lifts the circles and gives a more flawless finish.
• Best advice you've ever been given regarding beauty and makeup? Drink plenty of water! Your skin, hair and nails will thank you. 

♥

First Impressions on W7

Recently, I was shopping in the drugstore and I came across this brand of cosmetics called W7 that I had never seen before. I asked the shop assistant about it and she told me it is a brand from the UK. You see, the reason I was so interested in this brand was because everything was $5! So naturally a picked up a few different products to give them a try.

The first thing I bought was the 'Lashtastic mascara' in black. The bristles are fairly short and taper slightly towards the end, allowing you to easily build up to the amount of product you like to wear. This brush is very similar to the 'Lashblast Fusion mascara' by Covergirl, but I have found that it creates more volume with each stroke when compared to the Covergirl mascara. The only downside with this product is that it can sometimes cause your to lashes stick together instead of separating them. But, if you are looking for a slightly cheaper Covergirl dupe then this mascara is the one.

My second purchase from W7 was the 'London Eyes Eye Shadow Palette'. After the results from their 'Lashtastic mascara' I had fairly high hopes for this eye shadow. Unfortunately, this product is more on the flaky side and it isn't as pigmented as I would have liked. Also, I found that when applying this eye shadow quite a lot of it spills (but maybe that's just because I need a better primer). However, with careful application this eye shadow can be built up to the desired amount.

Overall, I am quite happy with the results from this brand and, if I can ever find it again, will definitely try some of their other products.

♥