My Week In Pictures

I had a fabulous week, starting with mountains of chocolate for Easter and ending with a fabulous festival listening to amazing music. Here are some snapshots from my week. 

On the weekend I picked up some beautiful bright Dahlia flowers from my local florist. I love having fresh flowers in my rooms as it brings so much life and colour into the environment.

I have been eating gluten free this week and picked up some tasty muesli with a berry crunch to add into some natural yoghurt. I love topping it will fresh fruit aswell. It is very healthy and a new type of snack for me! I also love eating from jam jars or mason jars.

A new cafe opened around the corner from my house, so I had to try it out! Had a lovely coffee with my parents!

 

On Easter Monday I went to the Sydney Royal Easter Show. I saw so many cute animals like this horse and the little bunnies. Was a nice day out, especially since I haven't been in ages!

I went on a little shopping trip to the city and stopped by Zara. I have never really bought a lot from Zara, as it is still relatively new in Australia and is always packed full of people. But I picked up a nice new pair of skinny leg jeans, 2 blouses and a jumper. I was surprised how reasonably price they all were too! 

Cocktails with the girls on Saturday at Opera Bar in the city. Had some of the yummiest cocktails which were very sweet!

On Sunday I went to the Groovin the Moo festival. It was amazing and got to see so many artists that I was dying to see. Here is a glimpse of my festival makeup.

Details
Real Techniques Blush Brush
Mac 187 foundation brush
Rimmel Wake Me Up Conclear
Sephora mascara
Rimmel Natural Bronzer
Garnier BB Cream

Festival Love

Festival by emilycarton featuring Marc Jacobs

CC retro t shirt
etsy.com

Vans canvas sneaker
needsupply.com

Daisy Jewellery vintage silver earrings
$61 - psyche.co.uk

Swarovski bracelet
swarovski.com

MAC Cosmetics long wearing foundation
nordstrom.com

Marc Jacobs fragrance
$80 - johnlewis.com




I am so excited to be going to Groovin the Moo this Sunday that I had to do a festival inspired outfit collection. I have not been to a festival in so long and I always used to go when I was younger. I am going with my boyfriend and we are road tripping 2 hours away and I think that is probably why I am so excited. There are so many amazing bands and djs that are playing and I would definitely recommend checking out the line up.

I love festival wear and I think it allows you take on any style you like, whether it be grungey or hippy. This is a glimpse into what I will be wearing on the day and some of the essentials that I will be taking with me!

The artists that I will be watching:

Disclosure

Kingswood

Parkway Drive

The Kite String Tangle

Thundamentals

Violent Soho

What So Not

Wave Racer

Click here for more info.

Liebster Award

I have been nominated to do the Liebster Award by Tamara's Beauty Talk. This award is designed for bloggers to make new connections. 

Source

Here are the rules

Write 11 facts about yourself

Answer 11 questions written by the blogger who nominated you

Choose 11 bloggers for the award

Write a set of 11 questions for your nominees and let them know you have nominated them

♡11 Random Facts About Me♡

• I am studying to be a primary school teacher
• My favourite colour to wear is black
• I work in a jewellery store and am surrounded by sparkly diamonds
• I am a huge tea drinker and could drink a million cups in one day
• Shopping always makes me feel better
• I love going homewares shopping and can't wait to decorate my own house
• My favourite place to be is sitting on a quiet beach listening to the waves
• I have a dog called Bob and he is a boxer
• I love reading and my favourite book is Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger
• A perfect night out is dinner in the city and coming home to watch a movie
• I love chocolate and I have a huge sweet tooth

Questions from Tamara's Beauty Talk

1. How did you decide on your name for your blog?
It is my first and middle name

2. What is your favourite makeup product right now?
The Rimmel Natural Bronzer as it gives me a healthy glow

3. Which liquid foundation would you recommed me? (I have normal to oily skin and I'm searching for a good liquid base)
I have been using Max Factor Face Infinity All Day Flawness foundation and is good for normal to oily skin. Wouldn't recommend if you have dry skin.

4. Where would you like to travel if you had money and time?
I would love to go back to London to work, but for my next holiday I want to go to the south of France and the Greek Islands

5. What is your favourite quote?
"One day at a time—this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering" Ida Scott Taylor

6. Do you have any style icons? If so, who?
I love Olivia Palermo's style and I mostly look to street style for fashion inspiration. There are so many women who dress amazing and I think street style is the most inspiring.

7. Your favourite TV show?
I love Suits but I am also addicted to trashy tv like the Real Housewives!

8. Your favourite book?
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger

9. What's your favourite facial feature you like to enhance with makeup?
Probably my eyes

10. If you could only use one makeup item for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Probably lip stick or gloss. Sometimes all you need is a slick of lipstick or gloss to make you feel better!

11. Your favourite drugstore beauty product?
At the moment it would be the Revlon Colourburst Matte Balms. I love the colours and the texture of this product!

The 11 bloggers I have chosen for the award

♡ bckysklly

♡ My Life as Samia

♡ Fashion & Beauty by Anissa

♡ Insane About Make Up

♡ Shopping Girls

♡ Dee Gotts

♡ Coco et La vie en rose

♡ Rose's Rooftop

♡ Your Chic Blog

♡ SaltJournal

♡ V's Beauty Blog

My Questions

1. What country would you like to live in?
2. What is your favourite blog?
3. What item in your wardrobe could you not live without?
4. Do you prefer Summer or Winter?
5. What is your favourite perfume?
6. Why did you start your blog?
7. What is your dream job?
8. What is your favourite quote?
9. What is your favourite colour?
10. Who is your style icon at the moment?
11. What is your favourite beauty product at the moment?

Wish List

Topshop slip on shoes
$76 - topshop.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors tech accessory
nordstrom.com

NARS Cosmetics sheer foundation
$52 - liberty.co.uk




This week I have been good and have not done much shopping. However, I am always finding new items I want to purchase. I have an iPad mini and absolutely love the size, as it is perfect for carrying around in my bag. I currently have a tan leather case on my iPad, but saw this iPad case on Hello October's YouTube video and fell in love! I love the grey and it looks very sleek and classic. Michael Kors always does lovely wallets, bags and watches. How could anyone not love the simple look of this!

I am currently searching for a new foundation and I am thinking of giving Nars Sheer Glow a try. I am going to go in store and test it out to see if it suits my skin. I have heard so many rave reviews about this foundation and I am willing to give it a go! My cousin is going to Hawaii soon and said she would get it for me over there (which saves me a whole heap of money!)

I did not love the look of espadrilles at first when they came into fashion but I am growing to like them. I saw a pair in Seed that I loved but they have discontinued that particular style. I am definitely contemplating buying a pair, as they are good for this time of year (heading into the cooler months).

Let me know what items are on your wish list and your thoughts on mine!

E x

Mid-Week Joys

It is Wednesday and I officially have a week and a half off from uni! But it is still midweek and there are a couple more days until the weekend comes and we can over indulge in easter eggs, so here are a few of my essential items getting me through this week. 

The first item is my new Witchery coin purse. I had a voucher at Witchery and come across this amazing patent leather purse while I was browsing in the store. It is called the 'Jessie Coin Pouch' and I am in love with it. I have been wanting to buy a small purse to have in my bag in addition to my wallet. I don't like my wallet being filled with too many cards, so this is great to store my extra cards and my train ticket. It is even big enough to fit my phone, so would be great for using as a going out clutch.

During the week I also like to take some time out to sit down and write down what has been going on in my life. I have a five year memory book that I got about a year and a half ago. Everyday I write a line or two about what happened during that day and how I was feeling. It is really nice to have these memories and look back on what happened in the previous year. I have a shocking memory and am always scared I will forget all my amazing memories that I have, so this journal helps me collect my thoughts. 

I also write with my Swarovski crystal pen that I purchased from work, which makes writing even more special and fancy. These pens are also great as gifts and come in so many pretty colours. 

The final item for my Mid-Week Joys is my hand cream, by The Aromatherapy Company. I have been trying to make a conscious effort to put hand cream on, as my hands often get dry as the weather gets colder. This hand cream is amazing and the scent is cocoa vanilla and cassia. It is so smooth and packed full of essential oils that help keep my hands full of moisture without being sticky. 

What are your pick-me-ups for your mid week blues?

E x

Wanderlust

It is that time of the year again, when all my uni assignments start to pile up and all I want to do is run away! I have such a desire to go travelling at the moment, and it feels like forever since I have been on a holiday. The last big holiday I went on was during Christmas 2012, where I went to Europe. It was the best 5 weeks and was so magical. Seeing and learning about so many new places, meeting people and going on crazy adventures is the best part of travelling. 

I really want to plan another big holiday, but I need to focus on finishing my degree at the end of the year. And THEN I can work out what I want to do and where I want to go. So, to get me through my wanderlust, I will reflect on my photos and reminisce! 

Brush-Tastic!

I have been dying to purchase some new makeup brushes after watching way too many YouTube makeup tutorials (mostly Tanya Burr). I have a set of MAC brushes that a good friend bought me when she was holidaying in America. They were apparently a lot cheaper than here in Australia, but MAC brushes definitely do not come cheap. I am happy with the MAC brushes in my collection, but wanted to add a blush/bronzer/contouring brush and one for applying concealer. 

I have seen the Real Techniques brushes everywhere on the blogosphere and was very happy to learn that Priceline stock them! A lot of the brushes were sold out but I picked up the 'Blush Brush'. This brush is the perfect shape for contouring and defining my cheeks! 

My eyes were then drawn to the display of the Eco Tools brushes. I love the look of these brushes, with a sleek, bamboo handle. The brushes are 100% cruelty free and come with amazingly soft bristles. I picked up the concealer brush, which will help me blend my concealer under my eyes to hide those dark circles. It gives a really lovely, seamless finish. 

It was so hard not to buy more brushes, but I really don't need anymore with the MAC collection and these new purchases!

E x

Positive Thinking

Positive thinking is definitely something that I struggle with sometimes and I know I am not the only one. I think everyone goes through a time in their lives when everything feels pretty crappy and they can't escape feeling so down. Lately I have realised that life is tough and things aren't easy, but there are so many amazing things that we need to appreciate in life. Sometimes it is hard to find these positive thoughts, but it takes time and training your mind to think a certain way. Here are my tips to positive thinking that help me on a day to day basis.

★ Wake up with a positive thought

It is so easy to wake up in the morning and groan about the upcoming day. It is often hard to get out of bed and all you want to do is wrap yourself up and hide. Starting the day with a positive thought or affirmation will make a huge difference to your mood. A thought you might have could be, "today I am going to achieve something new" or even thinking "I feel healthy, happy and grateful today".

★Regular exercise and get fresh air

A lot of people recommend yoga as a great form of exercise to stimulate positive thinking but any exercise is useful. Exercise releases endorphins in your body, making you feel oh so good! This is a proven fact and exercise will make you feel happy, refreshed and energised. Fresh air also makes you feel refreshed and gives some life back to your body. It could be as simple as having a cup of tea in the morning outside or going for a quick walk with your dog. It will make a huge different to your mood.

★ Surround yourself with positive people who appreciate you

People can be toxic and it is important to eliminate this negativity from your life. If your friends don't make you feel happy or confident in yourself, then you need to address this issue. You can either confront your friends about it or move on from the friendship. When one door closes, another door will always open. You need to do what makes you happy and surround yourself with people who will support this.

★Take responsibility

To be a happy, positive, confident and independent individual, you need to take responsibility for your own actions. Sometimes we are not always right and it is ok to admit this. You can't act like a victim 24/7. We can always make a choice to change our actions, behaviours and mood. Take responsibility for your mood and know that you are the one person who can change it. For the better.

★Find happiness in the smallest things

To put it simply: do what makes you happy. Find something that you love and let it blossom. This could be anything. It might be reading, writing a blog, going to the flower markets, going for a run or anything number of things. You need to support and grow your own happiness. 

Making a conscious effort to be positive and change the way you think will change your outlook on life. Life is not perfect and things do get hard, but find the light in the dark. 

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” 

Abraham Lincoln