Review | Hourglass Rouge Opaque in Raven

Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Raven

 I am in love. And not with a boy, but with a lipstick. My life is not at all sad... This is a purchase I have been contemplating for a long, long time, ever since I saw these lipsticks released overseas. 

Finally they've made their way to our stores and I couldn't wait to get my hands on one. If you've been reading the blog for a while then you'll know I'm no stranger to a red lip. However I have several requirements that any red must meet before being allowed into my ever-growing collection. It must be matte.  It must be pigmented. It must be long-wearing. This new formula from Hourglass passes with an A+ in every category. 

Review | Designer Brands' Twist 'n' Go Instant Nail Polish Remover

Designer Brands' Twist 'n' Go Instant Nail Polish Remover

I'm totally with Jess on this recent trend of product names getting longer and longer and longer. This product is the closest to Bourjois' Magic Nail Polish Remover that I've found in Australia. Every morning I pass the cheapie bin at Terry White's Chemist and every morning I am tempted. I walked past this particular product for several days before realising what is was and how much I needed to test its quality. For $4.99, I didn't have reason to say no. 

OOTD | Maxed Out

 Blazer Thrifted / Cardigan Thrifted / Dress MinkPink via Urban Outfitters / Boots Vintage via Etsy

One of things I miss most about summer are maxi dresses. They are so floaty and comfortable, so I'm always looking for ways to wear mine during the colder months. This MinkPink dress was in the Urban Outfitters sale and I snapped it up straight away. 

I am having a massive thing for MinkPink at the moment. I love all their recent releases and always waiting for things to go on sale. Although they're an Australian label I tend to buy most of my clothing from them as it works out cheaper. 

Recipe | San Choy Bow

San Choy Bow is possible one of my favourite dishes of all time. I remember it being the most exciting part of dining at my family's local Vietnamese restaurant...aside from the karaoke of course. I made this dish recently when two dear friends came over for dinner to save me from loneliness that is an empty house. 

Review | Bourjois Volume Glamour MAX Mascara

 Unfortunately this is going to be the first negative review on the blog. I recently received this mascara as part of a gift with purchase from Priceline. I have tried several Bourjois mascaras in the past and loved them, particularly their Volumiser and Volume Glamour Ultra Curl Mascaras, unfortunately the same cannot be said for this one. 

It is not the formula that's the problem here, that's quite nice and once you get in on the eyes it's stays well all day. The brush is another story though. It's HUGE. It can be hard to accurately convey size over a computer screen so I photographed the wand next to the average sized Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara. 

OOTD | I French You Not

Striped Polo Neck Top - Thrifted / Black Jersey Maxi Skirt - Barkins / Brown Leather Loafers - Shag Vintage / Brown Leather Belt - Thrifted / Black Leather Messenger Bag - Thrifted / Red-Heart Pendant - GOGO PHILIP / Sunglasses - Sportsgirl / L'Absolu Rouge 151 Lipstick- Lancôme

Oh Winter, you always come around too fast. There never seems to be a long enough gap of glorious weather between Summer and the season of frozen fingers and toes. In today's OOTD I'm taking serious advantage of this weather. It's still warm enough to wear a thin maxi skirt but its also cool enough that I can wear three a quater sleeve, polo neck, all black and not combust. 

How-To | Temporary Hair Chalk

 Unless you've been living under a rock recently, you'll have noticed that temporary hair colour has been a big trend recently. Many a hair care company have been releasing coloured chalk promising vibrant, temporary colour. However, these retail upwards of $10 for one colour. Having a strict uniform code I didn't want to sink a lot of money into something I could only use infrequently. Thankfully eBay came to my rescue where you can pick up a pack starting from $2.99. 

I couldn't find the exact pack I used, but they all work in much the same way. Find out how they work best after the jump. 

Friendly Fashion Features: Quirky Freedom with Ruby

Pineapple Shorts - Revival / Black Turtleneck Top - Paper Scissors 

Ruby, meet blog readers. Blog readers, meet Ruby. Welcome to the fourth and final (for now) instalment of my Friendly Fashion Features series. From the moment I met this cool cat I knew that I wanted to get to know her and her full-of-life personality. When I initially asked her to participate in this shoot she was quite bashful and exclaimed that her style was 'so mainstream'. To me that seems crazy as I don't believe there to be a mainstream style in existence. We all dress ourselves in a way that expresses our feelings for ourselves and attitude towards the value of visual representation; some of us care more than others and that matters none. 

OOTD | Growing Up

Mesh Jumper NastyGal / Necklace Vintage / Dungarees Vintage via Electric Skinny / Backpack Thrifted / Boots eBay

To celebrate my transition from my second decade into my third decade I wore something that I haven't worn since my first decade. Dungarees! 

As a kid I was rather enamoured with a pair with a butterfly on the front, now I am in love with this navy corduroy pair that I picked up on eBay. The store is called Electric Skinny Vintage and I would highly recommend them. Although they aren't particularly cheap, there are some amazing pieces in that store that are worth the extra cash. I can tell you now that this won't be the last dungarees to enter into my wardrobe. They are super comfy and perfect to layer with. 

Winter Moisture

We all know the drill when it comes to the cooler change in seasons: dry skin, dry skin, and more dry skin. If you have a job that requires intense use of your hands you might know this pain better than others. I've compiled a post for you today of my favourite remedies for soothing the dry skin on your precious limbs. 

Review | Models Prefer Moisture Lust Glossy Lip Tint

Models Prefer Moisture Lust Glossy Lip Tint in Marshmallow

First of all, what is it with these type of lip products and ridiculously long names? I have too many makeup related things to remember without adding names like this to the list. Second of all, I am ready to forgive the makers of this product for the name because it's so darn good. 

Recipe | Green Chicken Curry with Hokkien Noodles

In the last year or so my tolerance my chili and spice has increased immensely. Additions of intensely hot chili to my meals has become a slight obsession. I'm currently living and sharing meals with family who do no appreciate such hectic spice (understandably) and so whenever I get the chance I go a bit nuts. This was a curry I created when my mum was up visiting recently. It's fairly simple and can be altered with whatever meat, and vegetables and noodles that you prefer.

OOTD | Do you want to go to the seaside?

Jacket Levi's via eBay / Tank Thrifted / Skirt ASOS / Shoes UNIF Hellraisers / Backpack Thrifted / Hat Nasty Gal / Necklaces Vintage

For me a shopping outfit must be two things; comfortable and easy to change in and out of. Whilst I'm a big fan of layers negotiating them all off and then back on again whilst inside a tiny cubicle is not my idea of fun. It's my favourite kind of weather this time of year. Erin mentioned it in her previous outfit post, but the skies are clear and there's that slight chill in the air. 

OOTD | Surprising Comfort

Oversized knit top - thrifted / Cuffed patterned pants - thrifted / Loafers - Shag Vintage / Amethyst pendant - Corky Saint Clair / Messenger bag - thrifted / 'Over' matte lipstick - Illamasqua / Sunglasses - Sportsgirl / Snake thumb ring - Tree of Life

As my wardrobe is developing as I age, I realise the high percentage of it that is second hand. Today's outfit is a darn good example of that. Jess and I recently went an op shopping trip and ended up with a haul of 20+ items between us. The knit top and pants are two of the items I found and I never thought I'd be making an outfit for the blog from them. I popped them on this morning out of a desire for extreme comfort and was pleasantly surprised with how nicely they complimented each other.