Arm The Animals

Thursday 25 April 2013

Recently, I came across an Instagram account - and in turn the website - of an amazing company called Arm The Animals.  When I came across their Instagram, it intrigued me because I've always been interested in animal rights and anything to do with helping out our furry friends in need.

After visiting the website of this awesome company, I fell in love with their cause - and their products!

Arm The Animals is a company run by genuine and real people who love animals.  They create unique clothing & accessory designs and donate a generous portion of their proceeds to small and struggling animal shelters.

I think this is such a beautiful idea - and not only is it a great cause, but I LOVE their clothing designs!


These are a couple of my favourites.

Girls Catastrophe 2.0 Cap Sleeve Crew Black RRP: $27.00 


Girls Hummingbullets Cap Sleeve Crew Mauve RRP: $27.00 
I really love the cap sleeves, but most of the designs also come in t-shirts, tank tops or sweatshirts, so there is something to suit everyone.

All items can be ordered through www.armtheanimals.com and there are a lot more designs to see on the website.

Arm The Animals also have the support of some great celebrities - including Shannon Elizabeth, Andrew Keegan and beautiful Ashley Greene.  The founders are lovely people to deal with and it's a truly good cause, so please check them out if you can.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the cause and your favourite t-shirt designs!

Love to everyone, always.

S ☓

Photo's courtesy of www.armtheanimals.com
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A Little Bit Vintage

Wednesday 24 April 2013

Vintage items are so popular these days.  Some amazing clothes, jewellery and accessories can be found in thrift stores all over the place.  But I personally believe that the best vintage items, are the ones passed on to us by our parents, grandparents and other important elders in our lives.

Ever since I was a little girl, I had a really special bond with both of my grandmothers.  They were so special to me - and now that they're gone, I still miss them every day.

So for something a little bit different, I wanted to share with you a few of my favourite items I have from them.  All of these things are so special to me, because I feel that I can carry a piece of them with me wherever I go.


Another very special item to me, is a necklace I had specially made.  I had it engraved with both of my grandmothers names and the years they left us.  It's one of my favourite pieces of jewellery and I love wearing it.


 
All of these items are priceless to me, and I'll carry them with me until maybe one day I have my own little girl and feel ready to pass them on.  My grandmothers though - will be in my heart always!

S ☓
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ModelCo Fibre Lash Brush On False Lashes

Saturday 20 April 2013

I recently came across this amazing new idea by ModelCo.  Brush on false lashes - genius right?

I purchased the lash extension kit and was pleasantly surprised when I tried it out last night.  The kit comes with two separate bottles - the extension mascara and the lash fibres.

So the idea is, you apply one coat of the mascara - not too much, just a fine coat is plenty.  Then you apply a coat of the lash fibres over top.  The fibres are kind of like applying fairy floss to your eyelashes!  Once the fibres are applied evenly over the lashes, you apply another coat or two of the mascara.  The fibres cling to the lashes and they really do create longer and thicker lashes, without the trouble of applying false ones.  They look really beautiful and the mascara is water and smudge proof - perfect!

I think this is such a great idea and at $48.00 for the kit, it's quite affordable considering how little needs to be applied each time.

Photo courtesy of www.modelco.com.au

The kit is available online at www.modelco.com.au and from various department stores around Australia, New Zealand, America and Europe.

I'd love to hear opinions of anyone else who has tried the kit.  Please do comment, or feel free to send me an email.

S ☓
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That 'Too Faced' Glow

Saturday 13 April 2013

One thing - amongst many - that I've always been especially self-conscious about, is my very fair skin.  When I was younger, I spent many hours trying to achieve that 'ever so natural' - yet completely fake - sun-kissed, beautiful brown glow.  I don't think I ever really achieved it.  If I tried to do it the natural way, I'd end up burnt and if I tried to get it from a bottle, I'd end up orange!

Well, as I've gotten older, I've managed to come to terms with the fact that I am just plain fair, and there's not a whole lot I can do about it.  Because of how fair I am, I've always shied away from using bronzers.  However, a while ago on a trip into town, I found myself being talked into trialling one of Kit Cosmetics' beautiful bronze options.

The one I tried was the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder.  The makeup artist explained to me that for skin as fair as mine, the key is really to use a small amount and blend, blend, blend!

I was so pleasantly surprised by this gorgeous powder.  The tiniest amount, blended thoroughly into my skin, created a soft - yet noticeable - glow.  Of course I walked away with this nifty little discovery in my shopping bag, and I've loved it ever since!

The best part - it's made with real cocoa powder!  It smells divine, and although I haven't tried it - I'm told it tastes equally amazing!

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder by Kit Cosmetics RRP: $43.95
Photo courtesy of www.pinkchocolatebreak.com
Kit Cosmetics products can be purchased from various locations, including some Myer stores and online at www.kitcosmetics.com.au

S ☓
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Jurlique

Wednesday 10 April 2013

I've always been a fan of skincare products made with natural ingredients wherever possible - especially since my skin has always been on the sensitive side.  Jurlique is the best for this and their products are absolutely beautiful!

My absolute favourite Jurlique product is the Herbal Recovery Gel.  I am missing this at the moment, because it is a little on the pricey side and I just haven't been able to afford it recently.  But I love, love, love this product and I'll be using it again as soon as I'm able.

Herbal Recovery Gel is an antioxidant serum.  It helps to increase skin elasticity and reduce fine lines, dryness and protect against environmental pollutants.  This serum is so lovely to use - it smells beautiful and the skin just drinks it up.

Whenever I use this, I absolutely notice a difference in my skin.  It seems to be a little more healthy looking and not so dull.  It feels amazing!

As I mentioned, this one is a little more on the pricey side, but if you can afford to splurge a little I highly recommend it.  Most importantly, your skin will thank you for it!

Herbal Recovery Gel by Jurlique 30ml RRP: $72.00 or 100ml: $158.99
Photo courtesy of www.jurlique.com.au
 
Jurlique products are generally available at Myer and David Jones, or online at www.jurlique.com.au with free shipping for orders over $100.

S ☓
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Pamper Yourself On a Budget

Wednesday 3 April 2013

Recently, because of my current situation health-wise, my fiancee and I have been struggling with finances.  Therefore, we've had to cut back on many of life's little luxuries - including skincare and makeup products.  I've never been a particularly high maintenance type of girl in that regard, but still, we girls all have our favourite products that make us feel beautiful right?

So, this past year I've really been buying the bare minimum when it comes to makeup etc. (well, except for my recently developed nail polish obsession)!  But if there's one thing I've learnt during this past year and everything I've been through with my depression and anxiety issues, it's that we all need to take time out for ourselves one way or another.  Maybe I can't afford to spend a day at a spa, or go for an amazing massage, but it's still important to me (and my skin), that at least once a week I have a little pamper session - just for me!

So I thought I'd share with you a few of the products I've been using lately - they are all very affordable, very basic and very kind to the skin.


From left to right: Formula 10.0.6 One Smooth Operator Pore Cleansing Face Scrub, Formula 10.0.6 Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask, T.N. Dickinson's All Natural Witch Hazel, Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser

I've been using all of these for my little pamper nights.  Firstly, after a lovely hot bath (or shower) I exfoliate my face with the Formula 10.0.6 One Smooth Operator Pore Cleansing Face Scrub.  It smells great and exfoliates beautifully without being too harsh on the skin.  My skin is ultra sensitive and exfoliating will often result in a very red and blotchy face.  But with this one, I haven't had an issue - it cleans thoroughly, but is so lovely and gentle.

Once I've done that, I apply the Formula 10.0.6 Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.  I love this mask, it goes on easily and it smells of Strawberry & Yarrow - beautiful!  These are around the $9.00 mark at Priceline, but I was lucky and purchased them as a set with a nice discount!

After rinsing off the mask, I use T.N. Dickinson's All Natural Witch Hazel to tone.  I have used this for years - budget or no budget - and it's so amazing!  It's all natural, very gentle and really tightens up the pores after cleansing.  This can be purchased at any pharmacy and most supermarkets for around $6.50 a bottle.

Finally, I moisturise with Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser.  I like to apply this really generously before bed, because it soaks in really well and leaves my skin feeling amazing!  I purchased this from Priceline for $9.99.

Not only are they affordable on a budget, but I genuinely enjoy using all of these products.  The most important thing, is to take the time out to make ourselves feel good once in a while.  Whether it's a pamper evening, doing your nails or just taking some time to sit and read a good book.  Whatever it may be, we all need to make time to spoil ourselves in order to stay sane in this stressful world.

S ☓

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An Ever So Slight Nail Obsession

Monday 1 April 2013

Lately, I seem to have developed a slight obsession with nail polish.  I've never really been one to have constantly painted or perfect nails, but recently that seems to have changed.  I've been buying nail polish like it's going out of style!  So I thought I'd share with you, four of my current favourite colours and brands.


Clockwise from top left corner: 'Bikini So Teeny' by Essie, 'Poppy' by Revlon, 'Marino' by Borghese and 'Peachy' by Revlon

The first is 'Bikini So Teeny' by Essie.  I have this on at the moment and I love it!  I had never tried Essie before, but had heard good things about it and so far I haven't been disappointed.  I've had it on for 3 days now and it still looks pretty and fresh.

The second is 'Poppy' by Revlon.  I have always loved Revlon's nail polish - I find they always go on streak-free and are long lasting.  This colour is so pretty and I've received many compliments while wearing it.  I love it!

The third is 'Marino' by Borghese.  I found this in a 'bargain bin' at my local pharmacy and it is one of the best I've ever bought!  I love the colour, but it's also just a great brand of polish - goes on easy and streak-free, it's long lasting and takes a lot for it to chip.

And finally, the fourth is 'Peachy' by Revlon.  As I mentioned, I'm a big fan of Revlon when it comes to nail polish, and this colour is just so pretty.  Orange seems to be in at the moment and this is just the right shade - not too bright, but still bright enough to pop.  This one is my absolute fave at the moment!

So if, like me, you love having gorgeous nails but can't afford constant trips to the salon, I highly recommend any of these for an in-expensive, D.I.Y. mani-pedi.  Love them all!

S ☓
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