Multi-haul

I made my first purchase on cultbeauty a while back, but I didn't buy a particular product. I bought the beauty box that was released by Anna and Lily!!! I was so excited, the box had at least 3-4 things I desperately wanted for a long time but the box was so much more affordable than buying them separately. I believe the box was around 80GBP and the value was 140 or 160GBP.

I had been tempted to get the 'power couple' set by Sunday Riley at Mecca, but boy am I glad I held off.

The set comes with a full-sized Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel which I have thoroughly tested - it definitely feels like a luxury product but I don't think I would buy it again due to its price and efficiency in removing makeup. I found some traces of makeup when doing a second cleanse with my Clarisonic after using it. But it feels ah-mazing to use though!

The Luna oil, is probably the first face oil I can tolerate. It's genuinely just feels like oil, but it actually sinks into the skin. I use it when my skin is feeling super dry, and it works like a charm! I can't say much about the whole retinol effect etc, maybe if I was in my late 20's?

The wet brush though was seriously the biggest life changer. Better than a tangleteezer, and the michael mercier brush I have. Honestly the best brush out there for tangly hair for using on both wet and dry hair!

I'm not hugely convinced by the Jade face roller thing, I haven't really used it cuz I honestly cannot be bothered lol. Same with the Becca skin perfector, it just adds another step to my routine I can't be bothered with, and I don't exactly wear foundation everyday. I'd probably put it aside for the days I have a full face going on.

I have yet to use the Stila stay all day eyeliner because I'm still using my Kat Von D tattoo one. I hope it's just as good, because my Kat Von D is the only one that seems to actually last! And the Pixi milky mist? Also a luxury product. It feels good to use, but I don't know if it does much for my skin haha!

The sexy marble box it came in.

My little beauty haul from a while back. Absolutely LOVE all of these products.
The Estee Lauder double wear to go... a bit heavy for my liking but it has pretty epic coverage.

Freaking love these kicks I got from ASOS during a 20% sale!!! Another strangely girly pair to add to my collection :)
Although they are technically 'grey' and looked more grey online, it's pretty much a nude colour IRL.

After battling the loss of one of my precious orthotics... I gave in a finally bought a pair of flats/summer shoes.
I got these off Shopbop for a pretty freaking good price, around $150 or so.
And I saw them in Myer the other day for over $300 down from $500 or something--the feels I got when I did ha!

Wardrobe Semi-organisation

So I took these photos sometime during the summer holidays as it was an improvement from what it used to look like. But, I've actually updated it again a.k.a made it a bit neater.

I've got heaps of space in the shelving sections, but I don't really like folding my clothes so I just hang them all up. I just fold away things like sheets, hoodies, towels, tshirts, work clothes and random jeans/shorts. And everything else like underwear, socks, bras, bikinis I put into drawers.

Now, I've sort of taken out a bit from my winter/coat section and replaced them with some new (and warmer) clothing, tidied the top storage shelf and just rearranged the sections.

I always keep nicer and sturdier shoe boxes (like my Senso ones) because they're good for storing shoes that I don't wear frequently. The suitcase was really bugging me so I put it on the top shelf and made the whole section just for shoes. I put all my shoes in my wardrobe because there's not much space in the shoe cupboard outside (it's filled with so many shoes already which aren't mine) and I like to see what I have depending on what outfit I'm going to wear.

Also, I am aware that I own a crap ton of jeans, yes. Jeans have been my work 'uniform' for the last 7 years or so and I basically live in them and I'm trying to justify myself to myself so I'll just stop right here haha. But I shall do a winter staples and denim staples post soon yay! IT'S FINALLY WINTER!

Under a Fig Tree | Update

Hello everyone, I'm back!

Back, as in I just left this space to be for a while because I have been doing other stuff e.g. working, studying, sleeping. I haven't really been doing much for the last few months, I've just been trying to survive working and studying and paying rent, the usual.

My room has has some major updates, which I will post soon. My wardrobe also has had some drastic changes and my shoe collection which has changed (I've sold some old pairs and bought some new). I no longer have a large collection of boots (first time in... almost 10 years?).

 I also have some new makeup bits (some really exciting stuff I've got recently!!!). You can say that I have been purchasing a bunch of stuff over the last few months (thanks to my insomnia x mood at night... hehe).

I wanted to post about this candle though, it's my ultimate favourite. It's not sickly, it's subtle, it's fresh and warm. I purchased it from feelunique when it was on special--it was well worth the money. It was $28.80 when I bought it, before feelunique made some major changes to their website and charges now for shipping to Australia...

So after burning the entire candle, I can say it is SO SO nice. The only down side is that it doesn't quite burn as evenly as brands like Glasshouse and Ecoya. It tunnels down the centre a bit, but it goes away if you burn it for a few hours every time you light it.

I love anything and everything fig. But ESPECIALLY when it is a woody-fig scent.

Also, the wax is purple. And the jar has a little quote you can see when it's burned down and lit.

I went back to Brisbane in March and then Early this month for a few days just for a little break and to see my little canine sister Gemma. I honestly wouldn't visit that often if it weren't for her haha! Even though my fam got her the day before I left, I've visited so many times that she knows who I am and gets excited to a new level when she sees me! She's a Labrador (but her papa is half border collie) so she's a bit funny looking for a Lab, mostly because her muzzle is longer and skinnier and her ears fold weirdly (you can't tell from a side profile though). My dad jokes saying she's an original Lab while he presses her ears down flat hahaha.

When she was all doped up after being spayed. She's never calm like this when someone is touching her...
And she's not usually allowed in the house, but this night she had a great slumber party and trodded over everything.

I will hopefully keep this space updated more frequently, just to catch up on everything. I've not been feeling so great over the past few months, mostly just from exhausting myself out. Hopefully great things will be coming my way!

What's In My Bathroom

I have quite a lot of space in my bathroom cabinets - in fact I have two mirrored cabinets and one of them just contains toilet paper and some cleaning products... meanwhile this one is filled (not really - the top shelf is empty!) with beauty products.

Just showing what everyday beauty stuff I have and use in my bathroom, as well as backups and recent purchases.

My main cabinet which has all my products I have stored away for when I run out, and a few bits and bobs.

If you've seen my home tour, my bathroom has a long as bench top sort of thing underneath the cabinets.
I just put all the stuff I actually use everyday on here so I can reduce any clutter.

My backups: Mouthwash, Shampoo and conditioner (grown alchemist and Korres/My Organics), body wash,
cleansing oil, travel sized bits, Dr. Bronners (for cleaning my makeup brushes) and some personal care items.

What I use everyday sits on this built-in shower caddy: Swisse shampoo (I got this huge bottle for $5 or so from Chemist Warehouse!), Korres shampoo (which I'm still liking as I reach the last few squeezes) random body wash, and my trusty ol' Korres facewash to use with my Clarisonic.

A few random things like exfoliators (the Soap and Glory Breakfast scrub IS TO DIE FOR), shaving cream, my Clarisonic
and a conditioner I used to like but sort of makes my hair itch (just like all the other ones I've ever tried).

I have yet to try the Grown Alchemist shampoo and conditioner - the box has one of those beauty awards for 'natural haircare', and has less chemicals than Korres. I'm always on the hunt for natural or really ANY hair washing products that don't make my scalp super itchy or oily. I have yet to find any, the Korres one I am using doesn't make my scalp itch much, but my hair still gets super oily.

The My Organics conditioner is just a random find from Chemist Warehouse, but it seems to have relatively natural ingredients, and it smells like one of those yoghurt face masks! Yum!

As I have probably posted before, the Dr. Lewinns cleansing oil is my fav cleansing oil I have tried, from Shiseido, The Body Shop and the Palmer's one I am currently using. I am keen to get rid of my Palmer's one so I can use it instead!

The Korres body wash is seriously my favourite body wash I have tried so far. My skin is quite sensitive to body washes and leaves me really itchy or gives me a rash, and Korres as a brand seems to be quite mild on my skin but does the job. But the winning one from their range is definitely the fig one! It smells soooooooooo divine! I love anything that smells like fig, like freshly-cut woody-fresh green-sap sort of smell. Basically Diptyque's Philosykos. I've bought most of my Korres products from ASOS because they either go on sale or come in those 1+1 packs which are really great value. Bonus if they come in a 1+1 deal AND are on sale!

♥

Skincare Haul - Priceline

Once again, Priceline had one of their crazy 40% off entire range sales. This time it was skincare, which is great since I needed to stock up on a few things. I didn't go to the 40% off makeup sale because..... let's be honest I would have definitely walked out with stuff and I don't need any new makeup right now.

Proactive Body Lotion (something new), Dr Lewinn's cleansing oil and glycolic acid cleanser, Antipodes Hosanna serum,
Burt's Bees lip balm in Acai, and a Cetaphil facial lotion with SPF 30.

I have never tried the Reversaderm Glycolic cleanser, but it has a high % of glycolic acid so I am excited to try it as an
'every-now-and-then' exfoliator. I stocked up on the cleansing oil because I still like this one the best out of all the ones I've tried.

Again this has to be my second or third bottle of this same serum - I have tried the Apostle and Antioxidant Worshop serum,
but in terms of bang for buck this one is the best - they all seem to do the same thing to be honest but just vary in price.

I am desperate for a sun protective cream for my face and have yet to find a holy grail product.
I am so so picky with sunscreen, because they all either have a sticky feel, a white cast, or smell like sunscreen.
(Or even worse, the Shiseido Ultimate one. Sorry, but I'm NOT a fan of the scent!)

After using these for about a week or two, everything seems to be going well. A major issue though was that the Cetaphil sunscreen expires Feb 2016! Literally right after I bought it - unfortunately Priceline don't do returns once the product is out of its packaging. Seriously though!

I bought the proactive body lotion because I seem to have tiny bumps on my stomach/chest area - usually where I get any allergic reaction from body products. I think it might be the aftermath or permanent damage left by all the shower gels and chlorine that my skin reacts to :( If you have sensitive skin (body) steer clear of any Pamolive products. I kid you not, almost every single Pamolive body product has given me some kind of rash on my abdomen, more than the number of times I'd like to admit seeing as I kept trying their products even after severe reactions.

The Dr' Lewinns glycolic cleanser turned out to be super gentle and mild (and I have moderately sensitive skin), so I like to leave it on for a minute or two before rinsing it off. Though I haven't noticed any dramatic changes in the texture of my skin yet. The lip balm however has got to be my favourite flavour of all the ones I have tried (Pomegranate, Coconut & Pear, Vanilla) because it doesn't leave that weird lip-balmy taste after the initial scent/flavour wears off.

So far so good! 

♥

Birthday Celebrations

On my actual birthday this year, I didn't do anything special besides go to work and come home. One of my best friends has the same birthday as me (and she also works full time) so we decided to celebrate over the weekend with her and some friends.

I had a light dinner at a Japanese restaurant and then had some small noms and cocktails at The Powder Keg before heading to a bar and then went home! Nothing fancy really. 

Earl Grey Cocktail / Snow Dome G&T.

The infamous G&T Sorbet Oysters / Birthday Cocktail on the house!

My bestie & I / The size of my cocktail for reference.

I was so lucky this year and got so spoiled by friends and family. I ate so much delicious food, had good times and got to spend time with my fam and Gemma! (our family dog fyi.)

Despite attempting to take pictures of what I got for my Birthday, some things were in the kitchen pantry or in the bathroom somewhere.... but nevertheless. 

I got treated to some Jo Malone fragrances, small leather goods like a new (compact size) wallet, a tea mug,
things that smell and taste good and some new make-up!

I've basically been using every single one of these items religiously except for the smaller fragrance (which I purchased with a lovely gift card from my Aunt) and I'm loving everything!

♥

2016 Update

So this is one heck of a delayed post!

After finishing the semester at the end of 2015, I got thrown into the vortex of retail labour that is every Christmas season... which took up basically my entire November and December. Amidst all that chaos during finals and work, I also moved out of the share-house I was living in. The place seemed okay in the very beginning but I absolutely could not take it any more living there, especially with an insanely uptight and unreasonable landlord, a barely-usable kitchenette, crappy shower in the shared bathroom and of course the lack of noise I was able to make (i.e. blow drying my hair). Not to mention I was melting most the time because of no-aircon regulations in the stuffy heat-trapped attic-room.

I've now moved into a much better place with a mutual friend (I knew her well enough that I wouldn't mind living with her) in a very new apartment just two suburbs from the city centre with everything I could hope for!

Since it all calmed down as January hit, I was able to go back home to Brisbane for a good 10 days to spend time with some friends, family and of course my cutie patootie Labrador Gemma!

After I got back, I jumped straight into work again, but now that it's January, I'm not as crazy busy as I was the last few months. I just celebrated my 22nd birthday and now looking forward to some chill time in the next few weeks while my holidays last!

To kick off 2016, my first post is going to be another home-related post. Just a tour of where I am living and how it looks now from a room that was unfurnished.

Balcony

Once you walk in - my room is before the switch on the left.

From the dining/living - it's an apartment, meaning it's not super spacious or anything.

Kitchen

Dining - I decorated the place with some Christmas things!

Living - mainly just the couch and TV.

Le bathroom (I have my own bathroom - I will do a what's in my bathroom tour later on :)

The grand view after opening my bedroom door. I attached my own curtains and rod because I dislike blinds :(
I picked a black one because it matches the floor (almost black carpet) and also because it looks kind of industrial.
I am planning to get another set because I was terrible at estimating length at IKEA and I want to put fairy lights behind them! 

I usually keep the blinds closed because the sunlight coming in during the day makes the room very hot.

My double bed is the Hemnes one from IKEA, with same bedding as before.
I did have to buy my own mattress as well, but I'm not complaining because I sleep like a baby now!

Industrial bookshelf from Kmart ($50), I avoided showing my table and dresser because.... THE MESS

I updated my wall with these three (I purchased them from Society6) once I got the right frames.
All three frames are from Kmart, the square ones were $4 each and the copper one was $10.

Same lamp as before. I also avoided taking photos of the shelves because... THE MESS
Once it's more organised like the way I want it to be I shall update!

Wardrobe is a typical slidey-mirror one that is split into two. The other half has shelves/drawers.
I avoided that other half because...THE MESS

Once I tidy up everything meticulously I will probably do an update on my makeup/dresser, and my closet. I got a ton of new makeup items over Christmas and my birthday from my lovely friends, as well as more bathroom products!

Ciao! x