Favourite Places to Shop

Despite my love of makeup, skincare and fashion, spending hours shopping is not something I relish. I hardly have the time for it, let alone the patience. I generally only shop when I'm on a mission.

So I've found a few stores that normally fit the bill.

Skincare

Now that I'm a Paula's Choice devotee, skincare purchasing is all done online and the products arrive within 2-3 days. Easy peasy!!

Makeup

I rarely buy makeup now unless there's a new release that I really just have to have. If I can get my hands on it locally I will, otherwise I'm more than happy to snatch it up online.

Gym gear

I'm a sucker for a great gym outfit. I have heaps of different tops and lycra pants but Adidas is always the brand that seems to fit well and be the best value for money.

Gym shoes

I'm on my second pair of ASICS runners in 4 years.  Yes they are expensive, but pounding the pavements in something cheap is not my idea of fun.  ASICS never disappoints!

Shoes

Despite Novo's cheap prices, their shoes are the most comfortable I've tried.  As much as I try Sander, Jane Debster, Guess etc, they just hurt my feet.  Lucky for me my shoe obsession is not obscenely expensive.

Zara

Zara turns over stock so quickly I can never keep up with it. I love the variety of styles and colours. Their blazers are beautifully cut, their jeans fit me like a dream and their blouses are so unique. I love that Zara is now in Brisbane and I don't need to travel interstate to fill my wardrobe.

Portmans

Sometimes a hit and sometimes a miss. When Portmans is a hit it feels like it's all at once and I could purchase everything in store. When Portmans is a miss it's like being thirsty in a desert.

Guess/Charlie Brown

I normally try to pick up a bag from either of these brands in the post-Christmas sales. I'm pretty rough on handbags and anything more expensive than these brands would be a total waste of money.

Forever New

If I need a formal dress this is the shop that I always head to first. Very feminine and most of the styles fit my body shape well.

Until next time xx

Decluttering makeup

This weekend I decided it was time to cull my makeup collection. My rule of thumb, in typical Marie Kondo style, was to pick up each item and ask myself 'does it spark joy'. If you're not sure what I'm talking about check out my blog post Organising - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo.

Unfortunately what I have culled (pictured above) is destined for the bin. Much of it was past its use-by date, had dried out or had been on my face or fingers, so nothing could be safely gifted to others.

What was interesting was what items were removed. Some high-end products that I have rarely used - Dior, YSL and Estée Lauder (many gifts with purchase items), mid-range products - Napoleon Perdis  (I just never liked the products enough I guess), some MAC and lots of drugstore brands - Bourjois, Revlon, NYX, L'Oreal, Australis and Maybelline.

So what made it through the culling process - I struggled to get rid of any foundations despite using a CC cream for most of last year - separation anxiety perhaps.

I kept most of my eyeshadow palettes as they are by far my favourite makeup items. Anastasia Beverly Hills, IT Cosmetics, Kat Von D, LORAC, theBalm, Too Faced, Urban Decay and Zoeva made the cut. I would probably refer to them as mid-range brands available from David Jones, Sephora or Mecca Maxima.

I didn't give up on blush - I have so many but clearly they all spark joy.

The trickiest section was, not surprisingly, lipsticks - my more expensive NARS, Smashbox and MAC made it through and the rest are being tested, one per day, until I'm happy with what's left.

Already I'm feeling better with my pared down collection, choosing what to wear each day will be much easier. Less is so much more, but again I have more than I could ever need.

I think I am a more discerning purchaser now. I watch items for quite some time (checking out many, many reviews) before I consider purchasing.

What's interesting is my move away from safe neutral colours and my desire for shimmers, metallics and glow. Watching all of those YouTube tutorials is clearly having an impact. My confidence is growing and whilst I'm still happy for my hairdresser Hayden to style my hair for a special event, I'm more than confident of doing my own makeup and feeling happy with what I can create.

I love that makeup application is no longer a chore. It really is a creative outlet where no look, or no day is the same as the last. I may wear my hair the same way or wear an outfit many times, but by tweaking my makeup each day I always feel like my look is fresh and uniquely me.

Until next time xx

It's starting to work

Back in August last year I admitted that I had fallen off the wagon with my health and fitness goals. Sometimes stuff happens in your life that stops the things that are really important being the focus.  I'm pleased to say that after many, many months I feel back in control and happy with how I look and feel.

Michelle Bridges always inspires me

I again read Losing the Last 5 Kilos by Michelle Bridges, more for my mindset than the recipes and fitness plans. Her tips are:

If it's important to you it has to be front and centre

If I want to lose weight and be fit it has to be a priority in my life. I now plan my life around my health and fitness goals and actions.

Losing weight will always come down to what you eat

Yup, you can't out-train a bad diet. I've also heard an expert say that it's 80 per cent food and 20 per centre fitness that makes the difference.

The amount of lean muscle we carry will have the most profound effect on our metabolism

Age is also cruel to our metabolism and quite simply I don't need to consume the same amount of calories now in my 40s as I did in my 20s.

Too much fat in our mid section can fast track us for lifestyle diseases like atherosclerosis and diabetes

Unfortunately for me, that's exactly where I carry my weight - in my mid-section. Many of you will say 'lucky girl' you don't have a butt or big thighs, but for me carrying weight in the mid-section is also the most dangerous place to carry it,

There is an increased risk of these diseases if the waist measurement is greater than 80cm for women and 94cm for men. It's an indicator of the level of internal fat deposits which coat the heart, kidneys, liver, digestive organs and pancreas. My waist was 83cm a few weeks ago and I've got it down to 81cm. Yes just 1cm to go to be out of the high risk category.

I've previously been diagnosed with fatty liver disease so more than ever I need to work on my weight and diet to fix that.

Motivation doesn't exist

Michelle Bridges hates the use of the word 'motivation'. I agree with her, it's all about consistency. When you start a good routine and create a habit, motivation is not necessary because the new habit is just part of your everyday. For me fitness is part of my everyday life and has been for the past four years. I can't imagine life without it.

So what have I done to effect the change

• Any junk food in our house is now gone.

• I try to do something fitness-wise almost every day. At the moment I'm attending two body blast classes (weights and cardio), one cardio class (boxing, running, skipping, cardio machines, circuit training), two evening runs of 5km and one morning cardio session at the gym (5 mins walking, 5 mins running, 5 mins rowing, 5 mins on the bike, 5 mins on the cross-trainer, 5 mins running and 5 mins walking to cool down). My body is really responding well to this routine and I feel stronger and my endurance is improving.

• I eat breakfast everyday, without fail.

• I snack on an apple each afternoon to avoid the mid-afternoon sugar cravings.

• If I eat out at lunchtime with my friends I try my level best to pick the healthiest option possible and stop eating when I'm full and don't feel guilty about leaving food behind on my plate. The servings are often just too large.

• I eat salads and sandwiches for lunch (weekdays) and limit my carbs where possible.

• I don't drink alcohol - that's easy because I hardly drink unless I'm on holidays or on the occasional Friday night with friends.

Exercising with the family is key

• I surround myself with people that support my goals such as my incredible family (who always join me in my fitness sessions) and my gym buddies who share the same passion for looking after their bodies.

• We fill our fridge and pantry with food that has 'lived' i.e. milk, low-fat dairy products, low-fat meat and heaps of fruit and vegetables. I would say that our type eating is fairly close to the paleo style of diet.

What I have achieved so far

• I have lost a couple of kilos in the last month or so - nice and steady.  This will be slow as I'm building muscle at the same time which weighs more than fat does.

• My waist measurement has gone down 2cm so I'm just 1cm away from being in a safer waist measurement zone.

• I can run 5km without stopping and now I'm working on trying to improve my time and running style.

• My endurance has improved and I feel like I can work stronger during my gym classes.

• My clothes fit so much nicer and I feel more confident.

• My body feels more flexible.

• My mind feels clearer and I feel overall much happier.

What I now know

• In order for these changes to last for the long-term these changes need to become part of my everyday.

• I must always consider what I eat and always choose healthy options.

• I must continue running - it has been very challenging and time consuming to get back to running 5km. Running for me doesn't come easily and sometimes I find it more difficult than other times. It does incredible things for clearing my mind and the sense of achievement at the end of a run is what keeps me coming back for more.

• I need to exercise carefully to safeguard myself against injuries.

Until next time xx

Portmans floral jumpsuit

I haven't worn a jumpsuit since the late 70s or early 80s. I do love that the style is back in fashion.

Not only is it super comfortable but it's purpose built for dancing the night away.

I wore it to our gym's Christmas breakup party on a particularly balmy Brisbane night.

I love the bright print, it's cut and that fact that it was made from super-cooling and soft rayon.

Good work Portmans on producing another winner.

Until next time xx

Sephora Haul

Unfortunately Sephora is yet to arrive in Brisbane. When I'm interstate it is certainly the first and only shop that I must visit. Here is a haul of items I picked up during the Christmas holidays.

What I picked up

Zoeva Metal eyeshadow palette - I was hoping to get my hands on the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette but alas it was out of stock. This palette was the second place on my list. I've fallen in love with this palette. The colours are metallic in finish (no shit Sherlock), highly pigmented and wear beautifully. Zoeva shadows are fantastic quality.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow Kit - a gel/cream eyebrow product. Unfortunately I didn't pick up the right colour but the formula and application (with included brush) was outstanding. Next time I will take my time and try it on rather than guess my colour. Epic fail for me!

Beauty Blender - the original makeup sponge. I have only ever used the Real Technique version but I really do think that the Beauty Blender is much, much better. I'm a convert. I use it every single day and am in love.

Zoeva 223 Petite Eye Blender - a squat eye shadower blender. Perfect for getting a very defined crease colour. I love Zoeva brushes so am adding this to my collection.

Sephora Outrageous Curl Mascara - introduced to me by Sharon the Makeup Artist. This is a back up mascara since I fell in love with the thick, clumpy, lengthening formula a few months ago. At $22, it's a bargain.

IT Cosmetics Blurred Your Lips But Better All-Day Waterproof Lip Liner Stain - an impulse buy but I'm glad I did. The colour is gorgeous and stains beautifully. I'm fairly lazy and I love a lip liner that lasts the distance.

IT Cosmetics Anti-Ageing Collagen Smooth-Fill Lipstick in Je Ne Said Quoi - the matching lipstick. The colour and texture are beautiful. This is now firmly one of my current favourites. I feel like I have worn little else since I purchased it. Finally a win in the lipstick stakes.

Pixi Matte Lustre Lipstick in Coral Red - a smooth, matte lipstick. I'm obsessed with coral lipsticks and always on the hunt for new ones. This is very bold but lasts well and is very soft on the lips, not at all drying like some matte lipsticks can be. This is also my first exposure to the UK-based brand.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream - the miracle worker. Discovered thanks to Stephanie Lange (YouTube). This works brilliantly on my enlarged pores and redness. I apply it like a primer prior to foundation and concealer. It helps to perfect my skin. This is a back-up as this is a new holy grail product. I love, love, love it! It is a game-changer for me.

Benefit Erase Paste - a product I've had on my watch list for sometime but EmilyNoel83 (YouTube) included it in her 2016 Favourites so I decided it was time to try it out. Glad I did - nothing has covered my dark, dark, dark inner eye circles so well without causing caking.

Until next time xx

Portmans off-the-shoulder navy dress

I recently attended a family wedding and wore this Portmans off-the-shoulder navy dress.

It was probably the most comfortable dress I've ever worn to a wedding. Given that it was a summer wedding it was perfect to wear something that was cool and comfortable.

I decided to go with a Nine West floral clutch and matching shoes to contrast the solid navy colour of the dress.

My beautiful hairdresser Hayden gave me an up-style to formalise my look.

I followed a Lisa Eldridge makeup tutorial and used a blue-grey smudged eyeshadow and created a dark smokey eye. Miss P also kindly allowed me to borrow her Mimco drop earrings to complete the look.

Until next time xx