The Sunday Break #1

In a previous post titled 'Goodbye December, Hello January', I discussed how I wanted to read more novels and treat myself a bit more throughout the year. Realistically, assignments can be time consuming, so I have little time to treat myself with. I came up with the goal of the last Sunday of each month, I would try and treat myself, whether it be for 10 minutes, or 30 minutes. Just some time to allow me to relax.
I thought this would be a great little series for my blog, as I can share some goodies that I'm loving and perhaps provide a review of what I think of the item/product. This can be a great way for others to share their favourite treats of the moment and provide recommendations.

The read; The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
This had to be the most hyped up book of 2013, and I have been wanting to read it for a very long time. I received a copy and been addicted to it ever since. It's such a good read, and really worth the hype! I can see myself reading this over and over again. John Green, you really know how to tug at my heart strings. I highly recommend it, like everyone else does. Now like everyone else, I will be awaiting for the movie adaption. I now have my eye on several other John Green books, Looking for Alaska - I'm looking at you there.

The scent;
I love candles, but I can never seem to finish one as the wick breaks and cannot be lit and its not even half way done. As much as I would love to have a Yankee Candle/Collection of Yankee Candles, they do not come cheap in Australia, think $30+. Once again, I was on the hunt for a bargain.
I was recently in a supermarket and came across this candle - from the Glade brand, I had heard good things about the brand and hoped it wouldn't end up like other candles. It smells divine! My room smells of vanilla sweets, even when it is not burning. This is amazing candle for $4, and I now have my eye on a few other candles for my room.

The treat;
I was recently in The Body Shop (now, once again it is quite pricey and my pennies won't allow that), but I did go to the sale section and noticed something beautiful, Chocomania. Hi, I'm Steph and I'm a chocoholic. The Chocomania soap bars were majorly reduced and my pennies were happy for that. Now, I'm going to have a lovely soap experience, let's hope it doesn't create an addiction to The Body Shop soaps.

The film;
500 Days of Summer. Do I need to say more? Amazing film, beautiful, witty, fabulous and everything in-between.

What do you love at the moment? Any recommendations?

♥

Face of Australia - Colour Pro; Triple Action Nail Enamel in White Gold

I was very lucky and was gifted/treated to this gorgeous nail polish by a sibling. It's apart of the Face of Australia (by the by - it's fast becoming a new favourite brand) make up range.
The shade is in White Gold, it is so beautiful - it has a beautiful slight rose tint. This shade is a perfect year round nail colour. It compliments a lovely tan for the summer, but adds that something special to your nails in the winter.
This is a perfect shade of gold nail polish, it's great for people that think a full on gold might be too harsh for their fingernails.
The application was incredible. The consistency of the polish was brilliant, it was thick enough; that one coat would do. The brush was the perfect size, making the application simple and easy. It's quite long lasting, but I do recommend using a base coat and top coat to help the nail polish last longer.
This will not be the last purchase from Face of Australia.

 

What products are you loving at the moment?

♥

Essie Nail Polish in Fiesta

Essie is a brand of nailpolish I've only just dabbled into as I won a prize from them. One of my favourite nail colour from their collection is Fiesta. Ooooh man, this is the perfect summer shade. I prefer to wear these on my toes, as I prefer brighter colours on my toe nails than fingernails. The colour is a beautiful hot pink, such a summery colour.

The applicator brush is quite thin but some how it works perfectly when I paint my nails. The brush collects and applies the perfect amount of product.
What I also find interesting, the consistency of the nail polish is quite thin, something I have not seen in other nail polishes. With a thin consistency, yet it still applies and opaque coating.
Essie, you have sold me.

Palmers Dark Chocolate & Cherry Lip Butter

I do have a collection of lip balms and butters but lately my lips have been feeling that little drier due to the weather. I had been using a bunch of lip products to combat this, but there was no major long lasting difference. This led me to believe that perhaps my lips were becoming tolerant to my lip products, so I went on a hunt for a new (low cost) lip balm to solve this!
I decided looking online for deals would be my best bet, and wonderfully enough I found a very affordable lip butter by Palmer's for around the $2 mark, brilliant!

I find lip butters to be that bit more nourishing and hydrating, and this does exactly that. The product smells incredible; just like a Cadbury's cherry ripe. It does leave a shiny finish, and it is great to use under lipsticks or to blend out lipstick colours. Absolute winner to carry around in your handbag and perfect for all seasons.
Palmer's, I adore your products! Always a winner in my books, or blog for that matter. :)

What are your holy grail lip balms or butters? I'm quite fond of the baby lips range too.

♥

L'Orèal Paris - Ever Strong; Deep Replenishing Masque

Thank goodness for reduced to clear products and sale offers (I'm such a bargain hunter). I was in a supermarket, and always in the beauty aisle. I was looking at hair masks as I find my hair needs more hydration in order to be healthier and stronger, then I came along this little tub of goodness.
I purchased this for only $5! Now this is amazing as, L'Oreal hair care ranges can be quite dear. I had been lusting over their Ever Crème/Riche range, as it smells of caramel and vanilla. I had my eye on the hair mask of that range, but at $14, it was a no go.

The product is a beautiful creamy consistency, and I can't put my finger on what it smells like - but I love the scent. To use this product, you firstly wash your hair, then apply this product all over your hair and leave it for 3-5 minutes then rinse. I love out this adds that something special to my hair care routine, its like no other conditioner mask, it hydrates, softens and adds strength. Everything I look for in hair care products.
This product is so lovely, but since I got it in the reduced to clear section, I think this will be the only tub I can get of this. I'll just have to keep my eye out another or a product similar.
Have you tried the Ever Strong or Ever Crème/Riche ranges?
♥

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick; 210 Fancy

Yes, another Rimmel lip product, I can't help it - Rimmel's products are amazing.
I also picked this up on a reduced price also, and ever since I purchased it, I have loved it! If you haven't noticed I love to wear rosy pink lips as they suit me a lot more than say a peach or an orange colour.

This is one of the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks in the colour Fancy. It does have a slight shimmer to it, but I prefer this than a matte lipstick. I love to mix this lipstick with a lip balm if I'm going for a 'no make up' make up look, or apply more to give me a real elegant pout. This is perfect for beginners as well! This was actually one of my first proper lipsticks and I found this colour to be subtle and not too 'scary' to wear. I find mine to last at least perhaps two hours before I need to touch up, but all this depends what I'm doing on the day. If I'm out going places I would need to reapply sooner. However, when I put a clear lipgloss on top, it lasts much longer for me, personally.
Have you tried a Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick? What are your thoughts?

♥

Goodbye December, Hello January.

New year, fresh positivity.
This year I'm heading into my second year of university, time is just flying by. I'm going to take what I learnt from my university experience last year and use it to better myself as a student.

1. Read! Read! Read!
So, throughout last year I didn't read as much novels as I wished. I always had my nose in one of my textbooks. Which is all well and good, because I am studying something I'm interested in and love learning about. However, I learnt from myself I have to reward/take little breaks now and then, not be about uni, uni, uni.
There are so many books I would love to read (are you surprised that I am a bookworm? eheh). I have listed four novels so far that I want to read, would you be interested in reviews, or keep you updated on my latest reads? I want to start a mini novel collection. It is the beginning of an expensive habit. Yes, I'm also one of those people that rather the feel of a book, than staring at another screen. Anyone else feel that way? Oh! Leave some book suggestions in the comments, pretty please!

2. Treat myself more
University is stressful, and students in university can agree on that one. This year, every once and awhile I would like to treat or reward myself with something special. It maybe as simple as buying a little trinklet, a special flavour of tea, a DVD, a bargain item of clothing or something I've been wanting to try; a product or bath bomb/ballistic from Lush. Just little things really.

3. Take more photos
I always say this, every year. I'm going to do it this time round I swear! I think I get so swept up in the moment (which is great!) but it means I forget to capture a moment. I have a rather large collection of photographs, which I adore. I often look through them all, and they make me smile, laugh and appreciate that beautiful moment. I want to capture more moments this year.

4. Always find something to be grateful, and positive for
Now this may seem something simple and something that can come naturally, but I think people and myself can get caught up in the day to day life and business that follows and forget to think of a positive note. I have a diary, which keeps me organised, but I thought perhaps in each day of the diary I write something I'm thankful for, then I can go back over the diary and see what I was thankful for on that day.

Do you have any goals for the new year? Let me know.

I hope y'all have a lovely new year, thank you for reading wherever you are.

Stephanie.

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer; 101 Celestial

Rimmel, you always produce some winner products.
Rimmel is my favourite make up brand, I have countless items of their products. Their lip product range is incredible, their lipsticks, glosses, lip stains and liners are all winners and there is something for everyone.
I recently popped into a discount chemist and I could not resist looking at the Rimmel stand. I noticed that it was 50% off, which is just fabulous! In Australia, store make up brands are so expensive, meaning I often wait around for the special offers. This was my chance to try the rather hyped Apocalips, can we take a moment to appreciate the creativity of the name?
I'm a bit late on the bandwagon with the Apocalips, but at an average price of $14, I couldn't justify spending that much on it. However, when I saw 50%, I began to round up the coins in my purse to purchase the product I've wanted try for months and months.
Now, the trouble was picking a colour. I cannot pull of the bright shades or very nude shades, I every much needed the perfect pinky nude known as Celestial.

The colour is perfect for my pale complexion, not too 'out there' but not too basic. The colour just adds that something special to your lips. The application couldn't be simpler. The doe foot applicator makes it an ease, but I do recommend applying with a mirror, it can get messy without. What is wonderful about the product is you can mute it down by blending it out with a lipbalm, or add more to it to make the colour bolder.

I now have my eye on the colour, Nova.
Have you tried the Apocalips? What colour is your favourite?
Thanks for reading! :)