OOTD | Floral Fringe

 Shirt by Nasty Gal / Leather Shorts by MinkPink / NYX Matte Lipstick in 'Alabama' / Boots UNIF Gosh Boots

Hi lovelies! Long time no outfit post. I have really missed posting outfits on the blog, however unfortunately the weather has not been helpful these past few weeks. It's either been swelteringly hot and humid, or pouring with rain, neither of which are conducive to nice outfits or photos. 

Monthly Round-Up | March

Eat and Drink
Brewski Bar, Petrie Terrace

Jumping on the artisan beer and cider trend this new-ish venue on Brisbane's Caxton Street is really pressing my buttons. I've been a few times in the last couple of months and decided recently that it is definitely my new go-to-bar on a Friday/Saturday evening. With interesting beers and ciders sourced from all over the country and world, there is always something new to try. Recently, my girlfriends and I tried Perth's Nail Brewing Company's Nail Ale and absolutely loved it ordering a few rounds more than necessary. 

Brewski also makes a mean and affordable pizza with my favourite being the Three Cheese. Definitely recommend a stop in at Brewski if you're in the neighbourhood (being Brisbane) and enjoy a tasty and unique brew. 

Review | L'Oreal False Lash Butterfly Wing Mascara

Hi lovelies! I have come to the conclusion that I am definitely sucked in by packaging on products. I wasn't intending on getting a new mascara at all but the 30% off L'Oreal products in Priceline sucked me in. 

Recipe | Classic Weekend Soup

If you couldn't tell by now, you will know soon enough, that Jess and I are big fans of soup. She recently posted a delectable looking Carrot and Turmeric soup and I'm here to post one of many more to come on the way into and through Winter. I've also been getting into soups more recently to help relax my jaw muscles which have been causing me some grief. This soup is a variation on one that my mum would cook most weekends whilst growing up from whatever was left in the fridge at the end of the week. Feel free to change the vegetables and meat used for whatever you have. 

Ingredients

1 clove of garlic, crushed

250g chorizo sausage, sliced

1/2 head cauliflower, broken up into smaller heads

1 head broccoli, broken up into smaller heads

handful green beans, cut in half

400g tin crushed tomatoes

1tbsp tomato paste

400g tin red kidney beans (or other legumes) 

3/4 cup brown rice and barley mix (any rice or rice sized carbohydrate will suffice)
2 cups vegetable stock (I use Vegeta)
quality olive oil
sea salt and cracked pepper
parmesan cheese, grated for serving (optional but delicious)

Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over a low heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add in sliced chorizo and turn the heat up to medium. Once chorizo becomes golden add the cauliflower, beans and broccoli and cook for several minutes. 

Add the tin of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable stock and kidney beans and combine with the rest of the ingredients. Pour in the brown rice and barley mixture and cover until boiling. Remove the lid and let simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked. 

Serve and season with salt, pepper and parmesan cheese. 

And thats it, stupidly simple. A delicious, healthy and hearty lunch for a chilled out weekend indoors - and it should last the whole weekend too depending on how many you're serving. 

Erin xx

Recipe | Broccoli & Bacon Salad

 Hi lovelies! Now I may not have mentioned it before on the blog, but I am a broccoli nut. I cannot get enough of the stuff and a favourite snack of mine is a whole bowl of steamed broccoli with oyster sauce. I wanted to spruce up my usual snack and turn it into more of a lunch time salad. To be honest you can't really go wrong when bacon and pesto are involved. 

Scent | Versace Pour Femme

I finally did it. I chose and purchased my first bottle of perfume. Up until now all the perfume in my life has been selected and bought for me by others and I was completely satisfied. However, my array of perfumes seems to be coming to a dry end with no refill in sight. For the last few months I have been trying to find a scent that I like enough to justify the investment in. 

Welcome Versace's Pour Femme into my perfume family. I found this 30mL bottle in Priceline for around $40 and completely stoked. It is a very floral scent with base notes of patchouli, which I love. It reminds me of a spicy version of Marc Jacobs Daisy and after a few moment on the skin all you can smell is roses and blossoms. 

I am head over heels in love with this perfume and will definitely be purchasing a 100mL bottle when this little sucker runs out. Do you know of any similar scents I might be interested in? I have such a hard time finding ones I like.

Happy Sunday!

Erin xx

Shoes | Dr. Martens 1461 Classic

Dr Marten 1461 Classic Oxford in Black

Hi lovelies! So it's been a while since I have welcomed a new pair of shoes into my wardrobe. I'm not quite sure what brought on this restraint, but I have to admit I have been more than content with my current collection. 

Review | Illamasqua VS. Maybelline Colour Sensational Bold Matte

When Priceline does a 40% off all cosmetics sale I can do very little to restrain myself from purchasing unnecessary items. This time was no different and whilst shopping solo I managed to whimsically purchase a lip colour I am known to be drawn towards. Bright coral colours always manage to draw me in. However, since purchase Illamasqua's lipstick in the shade Over I have been contented on the bright coral front. Maybelline New York's latest offering in Peach from the Colour Sensational Bold Matte collection was enough to draw me back in. 

I love a matte lip, no matter how drying and exposing of dry lips they may be. I also love a bright lip; again no matter how exposing they are. In a comparison of these colours I will say that the Illamasqua formula is more drying than the Maybelline New York Colour Sensational but wouldn't say that either offer an abundance of moisture. 

When I purchased the Illamasqua colour I also purchased a lip liner from them in the colour Spell which conveniently works slightly better with the Maybelline New York colour than the Illamasqua one. 

The Maybelline New York shade offers a more pink toned shade whereas Illasmasqua offers one more grounded in orange shades (if either of these are preferential for you skin tone). 

I love both of these colours and will continue to wear the Over by Illamasqua even though I have found a dupe for it. Have you tried either of these colours or have an obsession with bright coral? Let me know in the comments.

Erin xx

Review | Maybelline Colour Sensational Lip Colour and Lip Gloss

 Maybelline ColourSensational Lipcolour in Coffee Craze, Maybelline ColourSensational Gloss in Iced Chocolate

Hi lovelies! I think I need to preface this post by saying that I am in no way a lover of nude lips. I also as a general rule don't enjoy wearing lipgloss. To be honest I am not even a fan of sheeny lip balms. Which is why finding these two products from Maybelline was such a pleasant surprise. 

When I first heard Anna mention the ColourSensational glosses I have to admit I tuned it out a little bit. Bizarrely I have always been more comfortable in a strong matte lip colour than a nude gloss. When Priceline were having a 40% off cosmetics sale her words I decided to take her advice and pick one of the glosses. 

I was safe and opted for a creamy nude in the shade Iced Chocolate. And you know want I absolutely love it. The level of pigmentation is great and the shimmer in the tube doesn't make itself known on the lips. I tend to apply a layer and then pat it into my lips for a subtle sheen. 

To go with the gloss I also chose one of the ColourSensational Lipcolours. My one is in Coffee Craze and it makes the perfect companion to the gloss. I have also been wearing it by itself and find that it mutes out my natural lip colour just enough to make it a nude, but not so much that I look like a corpse. These lipsticks are really comfortable to wear and the balm like texture makes me think I will be getting a lot of use out of this in the upcoming cooler weather. 

The need for reapplication every few hours is still something I am getting used to, however the subtle colour means a mirror isn't necessary. Despite the above pictures, I have been veering away from my usual liquid liner and opting for a smokier look day to day. Both products are a great to pair with a smokey eye, for a pared down everyday look. 

Whilst I am still firmly a red lipstick girl at heart I can definitely see myself picking up a few more of these lip glosses in some more nude shades for a bit of variety day to day.

If these lip glosses can convert even the staunchest of matte lip lovers then they must be something special. I bought mine in store at Priceline, but they're available here and here. 

Have you tried any of this range? What colours would you recommend?

Jess x 

Life | Flashback Films at Palace Cinemas

Depending on your demographic, there are certain films that came out (either in cinemas or on VHS) in your childhood or teen-dom that you will never forget and bond with your peers over. For me, The Lion King and Matilda were the ones watched endlessly on repeat; a shared obsession for my brother and I. However, I can happily say that I can quote and seamlessly remember most lyrics to a big chunk of Disney classics. 
The clever chickens at Palace Cinemas have noticed our generation's penchants for bathing in nostalgia. They created the concept of playing classic movies on weekends over a few months and are now into their second season of Flashback Films. This season is almost half way through so I'm a bit late with this blog post but there are so many good films left to see. 
I saw the 1951 original animation of Alice in Wonderland today and was reminded of how amazingly psychedelic the cartoon is for one aimed at children. After looking through the program I am definitely heading back to see The Little Mermaid, The Adams Family and Aladdin. 
There are Palace Cinemas all over Australia so you can catch this festival nationwide. I definitely recommend going because watching your favourite childhood classics on the big screen is incomparable to watching them alone at night on your laptop (like I've been doing for many years). 
Hope you've all had a great weekend! Erin xx

Review | Impress Nails in Curtain Call

 Press & Go Manicure in Curtain Call (short length)

Hi lovelies! Now I must confess I have always been a nail biter. Unfortunately it's a habit that I have never managed to grow out of. Whilst every now and then I resolve to let my nails grow out, they never seem to last long. Clearly the years of biting have taken their toll on the strength of my nails. 

Recipe | Capsicum Nachos

After a recent nachos gorge session I figured there must be a more healthy way to enjoy the Mexican cuisine classic. I've seen recipes around the internet using mini capsicums in a similar way but none using my favourite ingredients and truly utilising the capsicum as a corn chip replacement. I know that Jess' favourite food is capsicum so when she came over for a chilled out girls night I knew it was the time to try this recipe (she's also very handy in the kitchen). 

Serves 4 - 5

Ingredients

2 packets of miniature capsicums, halved and deseeded

3 tomatoes, diced

cucumber, diced

small red onion, diced

400g tin corn kernels 

1 green capsicum, diced

1 lemon, juiced

1 lime, juiced

400g tin Old El Paso Mexe-Beans

bottle of Old El Paso Think n Chunky Medium Salsa

sour cream

guacamole (1 ripe avocado, 1tbsp sour cream, salt and pepper smashed together)

2 cups tasty cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 200°C. 

On a baking tray lined with wax proof paper arrange the capsicum halves so that they're quite bunched together with the open side facing upwards. Place in oven for 10 minutes then remove. 

Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, mix red onion, tomatoes, cucumber, corn, green capsicum, lemon and lime juice. 

Spoon Mexe-Beans and the Medium Salsa evenly on top of the partially cooked capsicums. Next, sprinkle over a thin later of cheese. Spoon the diced vegetable salsa on top. You may end up with excess salsa; this can be stored in the fridge for use at a later date. Cover your nachos with the remaining cheese and place in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and starting to become golden.

Once cooked, serve with sour cream and guacamole.  

Enjoy your healthier nachos!
Erin xx

Shopping | Dragonberry Pop Up Shop

Hi lovelies! Last Friday and Saturday Dragonberry, a popular Brisbane boutique, had a pop up store in the Valley. The store boasted of discounted stock with nothing being more than $10. Of course my interest was peaked and I toddled off cash in hand. 

Nails | A Different Nail Enamel For Sensitive Skins by Clinique

In a recent restock of my much loved foundation, Clinique's Anti-Blemish Solutions, I was once again enticed by the "spend $60 to receive our free gift" shenanigan. It is always a great gift so I picked the A Different Nail Enamel For Sensitive Skins in Red Red Red to push me over the mark. 

Recipe | Carrot and Turmeric Soup

Hi lovelies! I am in love with soup at the moment and have been loving experimenting in the kitchen. This recipe is courtesy of the lovely Madeleine Shaw and it's made for a delicious lunch the past couple of weeks. You can find the original recipe here.

DIY | Coffee Scrub

Hi lovelies! Amongst my friends it is no secret that I am a coffee snob. I am also a bit of an addict and I don't seem to function quite right without that first morning cup of coffee ...or two. Caffeine has many benefits to skin, and I have been looking into ways to repurpose my coffee grinds. 

Monthly Round-Up | February

Eat and Drink
Timber Cabin and Coffee House, Stones Corner

Nestled away in the blossoming Stones Corner, previously known as Green Door Cafe, Timber Cabin and Coffee House has recently had a makeover appropriate for its extension into the bar scene. Opening in the evenings Thursday through Sunday, Timber is a cool place to chill out and soak up some cabin vibes with tasty bites to eat and delicious beverages. If you're a fan of Mojitos they have a great two-for-one deal on Thursday evenings but if not they do a whole range of fancy cocktails and stock beers by my favourite Burleigh Brewing Company.

If you're looking for a new place to frequent and are Brisbane south side bound, look no further than Timber. 

Read
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

In a similar fashion to my favourite books last month, I have again become enamoured with the story of an inspirational woman. I Am Malala is the autobiography, aided by internationally celebrated foreign correspondent Christina Lamb, of campaigner for education, Malala Yousafzai. 

This is a simple yet elegant retelling of a short but inspired and determined life, Malala is but 16 years of age. Shot by the Taliban after many years of standing up for the education that herself and her peers in Pakistan deserved, Malala was the youngest nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize in history. 

Malala retells her memories of the Taliban's beginnings and the ramifications of the state and global response to the situation. The beautiful part of her story is the mature, rational perspective she has for someone so young. Her dedication to education for all whilst being persecuted by the Taliban is inspirational. 

This book brings a refreshing perspective into a segment of modern society so heavily covered by the media. Highly recommend this gripping autobiography. 

Listen

London Grammar 

Continually late to the music game in the last year or so, I have only recently discovered London Grammar. In a muddled way they are makers of smooth, soulful trip-hop that can't decide if its awake or asleep. With vocals reminiscent of Florence Welch I was hooked from the beginning of their debut If You Wait. The first track, Hey Now, is heartbreakingly simple and is a super stripped back emotional anthem. Put on some quality headphones and spin some London Grammar.

Beauty

Clinical Protection Anti-Perspirant Deodorant by Rexona Women

I feel weird including a deodorant in my favourites but this is definitely a discovery for me this month. I've been on a hunt for an unscented but long lasting and effective antiperspirant and this Clinical Protection by Rexona Women does just that. However, as much as I enjoy this product it is quite pricey at $11 for a product that is nearly empty after a month of use. I will probably buy this product again but still keep my eyes out for cheaper and equally as effective alternatives. 

Diamond Flash Fast Dry Top Coat by Sally Hansen

This product is not new to me in February but its frequent use is. I went through a long phase of not painting my nails because they are quite flaky and chip so easily. So, after purchasing this it did not get a huge amount of use and the ability to prove itself. I won't say that it is chip proof (nothing on my nails is) but I will say it is very fast drying and even protects your nails from creases that fresh paint gets whilst sleeping. Having been recently more inspired to paint my nails more often this product has had a chance to shine. 

If you're looking for a fast drying and fairly strong top coat then I definitely recommend this which is fairly affordable in Priceline; definitely not over priced.

And thats a wrap on my monthly round-up for February. If you've enjoyed any of these or have recommendations for me, tell me in the comments. 

Erin xx