Priceline Beauty Haul

I was drawn into Priceline for the 40% off haircare sale, I was ONLY going to get like two or three things that I needed to repurchase, but it didn't happen that way. Skincare is one of my favourite things, I'd always spend my money on skincare over make up or clothing, so naturally I couldn't leave Priceline without some skincare. If only skincare wasn't so damn expensive.

I wanted to get some things from the John Frieda Frizz Ease collection, but my local Priceline was very understocked. Instead I picked up a repurchase of the Schwarzkopf Marrakesh Oil & Coconut Express Mousse Treatment. I originally found this mousse in my mum's drawer and stole it because it did amazing things to my hair. It adds texture and waves without leaving my hair feel crunchy. I also picked up the shampoo and conditioner in the range, which I am really liking so far.

I use dry shampoo religiously, it is one of the best hair inventions ever. Batiste is my all time favourite brand, I use it when my hair gets a little oily to mattify my hair. Sometimes I also just use dry shampoo to add some texture to my hair. So of course, being 40% off I had to pick up some. I also got two little bottles for when I travel to South Africa next month.

On to the skincare, which were not planned purchases at all. I'd heard Anna from Vivianna Does Make Up talk about the Antipodes vanilla pod cream many times, so I've been lusting after these moisture boost mini's… and picked them up on a whim. The set includes a mini vanilla pod hydrating day cream and mini avocado and rose hip oil. I've also been wanting to try the Indeed Laboratories Hydraluron Face Masks, which I hadn't realised had come out in Australia, so I grabbed them too. My excuse for the skincare buys being that with the change of weather my skin has been really bad. I think I'll do a review of both these skincare purchases sometimes.

Did any of you pick up anything at the 40% off haircare sale? I am seriously hanging out for the 40% off skincare sale, please come soon!

Collective Clothing Haul

Over the months of April and May, I've picked up a few winter bits online. My flights are booked for my trip to South Africa, so I'll be facing a harsher cold than we have here in Queensland. 

One of my favourite online shopping websites, The Iconic, had a 50% sale on certain items over the recent long weekend. And of course I had to take advantage of such a sale.

The first thing I picked up is a thick woollen coat-like jacket by The Iconic brand, Cloth. The jacket is thick and lined, perfect for cold weather. I am a monochrome girl so black was a must, however the leather detailing on the collar and pockets are a nice touch. The jacket has a sort of bell shape- fitting around the shoulders and flaring out around the hips- with an asymmetrical zip. The original price for the Marseille Melton Jacket is $119.00 so I paid around $60.. BARGAIN.

My style is very comfy-chic, so wooly jumpers are a must. I loved this Atmos&Here sweater because of the textured, bubbly look of the wool. The sweater is comfortable and easy to wear, and for $30 down from $60, who can complain. Along with the jumper I also picked up a wooly cream scarf by Atmos&Here, which came down to under $10! (Might pick up more colours of this scarf as full price is only $16.95).

The next purchase I made quite a while ago, but I was indecisive of whether to keep the product or not. This pink trench-like jacket from Dissh caught my eye because of the beautiful colour. I was really disappointed when I received the product though, because the quality is just not worth the $70. Dissh only has a 14 day exchange policy that I was unaware of, and you can only get a store coupon anyway, so I had to keep the jacket... You win some you lose some I suppose. Hopefully I can work with it and make it look less cheap.

Country Road recently had a 3 for the price of 2 promotion on all women clothing. I was avoiding going in store because I really didn't want to spend money as I'm suppose to be saving. But on the last night of the sale I caved and bought three knits online. Each knit was originally $129 (which I wouldn't usually pay as that is so over my Uni student budget), with the sale I got all three knits for AU$258, which brings it to AU$86 a knit.. pretty great savings right there.

The first knit I got is one I tried on in store before but left as I couldn't justify the price. I originally wanted the grey colour but they only had black and cream left. Its a slouchy, boxy cut with tight sleeves on the forearm. I really like how the knit looks but it is a little scratchy so hopefully it softens after washing.

Country Road Square Cut Tunic

One look into my wardrobe and you'll see that I really love Breton tops and anything stripe-y. So of course, I had to get the knit below when I saw it online. To be honest its probably my least favourite out of the three, but I do still like it. Its a slouchy fit, with a crew neckline and a slight high-low hem. I envision wearing this knit with a white coloured button down shirt so I'm on the hunt for that now.

Textured Stripe Knit

The next is defiantly my favourite knit. I was drawn to this once again because of the print and colour, I was unsure of whether the shape would fit me but it is really flattering.

Cable Knit

As a fashion lover I do love lables, I can't always ever afford them but I do love them. So promise not to judge me for my next purchase? I recently saw a blogger from Heaven on Bourke wearing a pair of Rivers boots [don't tell anyone ;) ]. I jumped online and found them for like $25 - That's ridic right!

And lastly, my tartan addition to winter 2014. I literally just got this tartan print scarf in the mail from Boohoo. I was sceptical of Boohoo but this is a great scarf for the $14 price tag.

That concludes my collective haul. I do apologise for my irregular posts, University has been suffocating me. Hopefully I'll get back on track soon! 

Women Crush Lauren Conrad

I used to race home after school each day and tune into MTV to catch the latest episode of Laguna Beach  and then The Hills. The shows and the cast were a big part of my teenage life, in a way it set me on track for my future. Watching Lauren Conrad at Teen Vogue and Whitney Port at the PR firm of Kelly Cutrone, sparked my interest in fashion and the potential to make a career out of it. Lauren Conrad became my idol growing up, I watched her on The Hills and read all her books religiously. 

Quite often, young girls' "role models" don't act very role-modely but Lauren Conrad is genuinely a great role model, and here's why:

• She works hard to be successful: OK, I know that when they showed the Hills girls 'working', they weren't really doing any work. Lauren Conrad, however, really proved herself past the reality show air-head persona. After wrapping up The Hills, Lauren wrote a series of fiction novels as well a beauty and style book. Lauren also started designing her own clothing label and now maintains two clothing lines of her own. 

• She has a good heart: Lauren often works with people from third world countries to source material for her fashion label. She is co-founder of The Little Market, a company that source ethically source handmade goods to help change the lives of artisans. 

• She is creative: Her Instagram account is amazing, I can spend ages scrolling through the visually appealing images of her life. Lauren also runs a creative website, laurenconrad.com, that features posts from DIY tutorials to fashion how-to's. 

• She has amazing style: Lauren Conrad always looks good! She has a knack for putting together simple pieces to make an amazing outfit. Her style is simple yet super chic and she is definitely one of my style icons.

• She encourages self-love: Lauren Conrad is a great role model for young girls because she encourages self love. This can be seen through everything she does, her websites included. 

• She works hard: Lauren has two of her own fashion labels, as well as a line for Kohl's, she has written several best-sellers and maintains an online presence on her website and beauty site. This girl is not afraid to work hard. Just thinking about all she does makes me feel like I need to get up and go!

 

 Pictures sourced from Instagram

Met Gala 2014 Red Carpet Fashion

Each year when the Met Gala comes around, us normal people obsess over celebrities and their exxy fashion choices on the red carpet. My favourite couple this year has to be Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, the looks and the touches they gave each other.. they are perfect!

Blake was dressed in a figure hugging, custom Gucci dress - and she looked like a goddess. My favourite solo look was Leighton Meester, dressed in an embellished Emilio Pucci bohemian style dress. Emma Stone takes the prize for the best hair and make up look in my opinion. Below are some of my favourite outfits and beauty looks from the night:

Mecca Beauty Loop Reward

Today I picked up my second Beauty Loop box for 2014. I was pleasantly surprised this time, and definitely think the products are better than the previous box. I received the 'level 1' box which contained two decent sized samples and two sachet samples.

The first product I was excited to see is from NARS. It is a sample sized Satin Lip Pencil. I've previously used the matte lip pencils from NARS, which I love, so hopefully I'll like this one. The colour I got is in a nude-y/brown/pink colour (different to what the colour is showing in the photos). The lip pencil glides on smoothly and feels super nourishing. The next product is from Mecca Cosmetica's recently launched skincare line. I was excited to see a product from this line included, as I've been meaning to try it. In my box I got the Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF30 facial sunscreen. From a small swatch the sunscreen seemed thin and easily blend-able and did not have that gross sunscreen smell.

The box also included a sachet sample of the Dr Brandt BB cream and Kate Sommerville Corrective Eye Cream. I feel like sachets don't allow enough product to properly try it out and form an opinion, but I will give both of these a go. The BB cream apparently changes to different skin tones so that will be interesting to try out.

I'd love to see what you got in your beauty loop boxes!