Because all we see is ugly, when what we really should be seeing is how beautiful everything is.
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Fitness: Walking Morialta Park

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I have been really trying to get fitter recently. I’m tired of being envious of other girls who seem to power on in the gyms. So for the last few months, it has been a lot of walks in the parks, 2.4km runs, daily workout videos…

I am 6 days from finishing my 50 days of exercise bet with the boy. We have a challenge going on right now that involves me doing daily exercise for 50 days, or lose 50 bucks. If there’s anything else I love more than food, I do believe that would be money. Not because money can buy happiness, no sirree. But because money can pay my bills. And that in itself is a contented type of happiness.

So far I have done…

  • 1-2 hour long walks in Morialta Park, Granite Island Walk, Para Wirra Recreational Park.
  • The entire 30 day shred by Jillian Michaels
  • A couple of days of the Fithoop DVD with the 1.5kg weighted Fithoop
  • The first week of Ripped in 30 by Jillian Michaels
  • 2.4km runs
  • Rock Climbing

Since starting exercising daily, I can now do:

  • Tricep Dips
  • Military style push ups
  • Jumping lunges
  • Run for 400m before having to slow to a fast walk to catch my breath

Weight loss: Zero. (Daily intake based around a 1200 calorie diet)

Sigh. Guess I will just have to keep on going!

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Rundle Mall Autumn / Winter Showcase : Outfit of the Day

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Rundle Mall recently held an Autumn / Winter showcase and being a fraud of a fashion enthusiast, I dutifully trot myself down to Rundle Mall to see if I could learn how to style myself somewhat better this season.

My outfit was the product of a wild wardrobe tear through, punctuated with “I have nothing to wear!” and pleas of help aimed at the fashion savvy Sherry. She ended up piecing this together, and sent me off along with a pair of her ankle boots, only to see me pulling funny faces on Rundle Mall.

Once an idiot, always an idiot?

I am wearing…

  • Lava legs from Black Milk
  • Black tank top from Cotton On
  • Black sheer shawl from some shop in Melbourne
  • Arm party from Diva
  • Bag from Taobao
  • Boots on loan from Sherry

I still can’t believe I wore something that wasn’t a skirt or a dress to an event. *throws hands in air*

Road to Confidence: Be Fresh from Be. Winery

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Remember this look?

I decided that I just had to try the one that looked the most-out-there first as I was feeling particularly adventurous yesterday. Plus, looking at the style cards just got me thinking of those Limecrime eyeliners I got an age ago. Experiment time? Why yes, sirree!

It just so happened that Sherry was around as well and there is nothing more relaxing than spending an afternoon with your girlfriend pretending to be makeup artists. She went for a more natural and effortlessly beautiful look, while me…. well. See for yourself.

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I used:

  • Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
  • Urban Decay Naked Palette
  • LimeCrime Liquid Eyeliner in Citreuse and 6th Element
  • Tony Moly Liquid Black Eyeliner
  • False Lashes from Eylure (can’t remember which style)
  • Jane Iredale Purepressed Blush in Barely Rose
  • Innoxa Lovely Lips lipstick in Passionflower

Okay, granted, it is really quite different from the original inspiration. I actually think that this look is quite wearable if you left off the orange eyeliner from the bottom eye. What do you think? Would you try it?

If you’d like to try it, remember that there is a video tutorial that I have embedded above that can guide you through the step by step of the look. Truthfully, I didn’t follow it. I just went nuts on my face, as you can see.

I also didn’t use any foundation as… well… I really don’t use foundation or BB creams anymore. /lazy

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Have a glass with me, and let me know what you think!

Check out Be Winery! Wine provided for consideration, I was not paid to play with makeup. (Would be cool if I was!)

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Be. Wine – Drinking just got so much more beautiful.

I love to drink – I think everybody knows that. But I must admit that I am more of a social drinker. I don’t feel the need to open a bottle, or to have a glass to wind down at the end of the day. A glass of milk will do for that. But in a social event, wine is a must.

Early this year, I came across this amazing bottle label that was doing something quite different. Their campaign was fresh, different and very obviously aimed at women. It was quite the change and I was instantly intrigued. This winery was called: Be. Winery

What they had done was match their wines with different beauty looks. Say what!? Wine matching with food is as old a tale as any, but matching with beauty looks? That’s gotta be a new one. Check out the campaigns they have done, it’s really quite amazing.

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With 3 different wines to match your mood, I really like the playful vibe and cheekiness of the entire advertising campaign. The colours are gorgeous too and really, what’s not to love when there’s energy, wine and makeup all rolled into one?

I had the chance to look over the style cards that were produced for the campaign, I think the Luscious look would float my boat the most. I adore red lippies as you know, and you really can’t go wrong with sexy. It is an extremely wearable look, and I can just see all you ladies hitting a night on the town rocking this absolutely luscious look!

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Over the next few months, I will be bringing to you videos and photos on these looks as I try them on myself. It won’t be exact replicas of these looks, but more inspired by. These juicy looks have really got my creative buds going, and really, doing your makeup while sipping on a glass of wine? What more could you ask for, really?

Thursday Fashion: Court Shoes?

Wherever you choose to look for your clothes, be it plus size clothing catalogues, the high street or vintage charity shops, sometimes you need to look a bit further for guidance and ‘how to’ tutorials. Seeing a mannequin in a shop window with your desired item is great – you get inspiration on how to wear certain things. But if this piece of clothing is only paired with specific looks (say, for a formal occasion) it can be difficult to picture the garment with other outfits… which is where this post will come in handy… today we’re focusing on court shoes!

To work
It’s probably the most popular location to don the court shoe. It’s a smart, stylish and sensible heel for the office that’s high enough to make a statement but low enough so you won’t feel self-conscious on your feet. Opt for a glossy, patent shade for an uber-smart effect. If your office has a more laid back dress code, you can still incorporate the court heel in your 9-5 wardrobe. Team with chinos and a floaty blouse for a gorgeous daytime feel.

On a Date
It’s not just about the office either. Court shoes are a fantastic way to add sexy style to any outfit – and what could be more appropriate here than a date? The key here is to keep it simple and effortlessly glamorous – you don’t want to look as though you’ve tried too hard but naturally you want to look gorgeous. Why not pair together black skinny jeans with red heels, a casual printed tee and a flick of red lipstick – it’s a guaranteed flawless look.

Brunch with the girls
There’s nothing better than meeting up with your best girl pals and having a much needed natter, especially if you’ve not seen them for a while. Of course, you’re going to want to look casual and laid back, but there’s nothing more chic than putting a little effort into your outfit and making your lunch date seem more like a scene from Sex and the City! Nude court shoes are great here. Pair with your favourite blue denim jeans and a floral top for a gorgeously girly feel.
From being a predominantly office-based accessory, the court shoe is actually one of the most versatile heels around at the moment. It’s set to be the shoe shape of the season so it’s totally worth investing in a pair (or two..!)

The strength to be beautiful, comes from within.Cwong

I sometimes forget, and sometimes think we all need a reminder.

Stay strong, my lovelies.

Japanese Potato Salad

Easy Cooking: Japanese Potato Salad

With the weather being so hot, the last thing you want is to eat hot food and slave over a hot stove. So what better way to cool down than with a chilled Japanese potato salad?

This recipe was originally inspired by Adam Liaw. In fact, I should say that this recipe is his, as I have done little to modify it. However, I have since adapted this recipe into my way cooking and the recipe I am giving to you today is from memory, the way I make it.

It’s incredibly easy to make, very fast and forgiving and so, so tasty. Even the most inexperienced of cooks will be able to handle this with ease.

Print
Japanese Potato Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Serving Size: 4

Ingredients

  • 6x medium sized potatoes
  • 1x 300g bottle of kewpie mayonnaise
  • 1x cucumber
  • 1x carrot
  • 2x eggs

Method

  1. Peel and cut the potatoes into cubes. It doesn’t matter what size they are as they will be mashed.
  2. Boil the potatoes in boiling salted water for 15 minutes till they are soft enough to mash.
  3. While potatoes are cooking, cut cucumber into thin slices and sprinkle liberally with salt and leave for 15 minutes.
  4. Once potatoes are done, drain water and mash with a fork. Set aside to chill.
  5. Slice carrot into half moons and cook in boiling water for 4-5 minutes or till soft. Drain and set aside.
  6. Rinse the salt off the cucumbers and drain.
  7. Hard boil the eggs, chill once done and slice into thin wedges.
  8. Add cucumber and carrot to potato and stir kewpie mayonnaise through.
  9. Garnish with hard boiled eggs and serve chilled.

Notes

I like to hard boil my eggs for 15 minutes from cold. This usually yields beautiful eggs with just-cooked yolks.

http://becoming-beautiful.com/2013/02/easy-cooking-japanese-potato-salad/

Potato Salad

It’s hard not to fall in love with this potato salad. It’s incredibly easy to make and so easy to eat. I’ve made it for multiple occasions now and it’s always been a winner. So why hesitate? Try it today!

Vday Planetarium

Valentine’s Day: All the feels!

When I was a child and first read the story behind Valentine’s Day, I would clutch my book to my heart and dream of the day I had a person that I would love deeply. I was a die-hard romance at heart and my head filled with cheesy romances fuelled by TV shows and Romance novels.

And yet, they (the boys I dated) would hasten to tell me that “they didn’t do Valentine’s”. And thus every Vday passed me by with my growing resentment.

Good things come to those who wait, but who has the patience to wait? One day, my resentment outgrew my heart and burst forth. And that was how for Vday this year, we found ourselves at the Planetarium with 20 or so other couples to learn of the love that lies within the stars.

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Did you know that Adelaide had a Planetarium? I didn’t, and yet here it was, hidden amongst the other University buildings at Mawson Lakes. I had a little giggle at the cheesy trail of hearts that showed us where the session was taking place. In a university building, the trail of red hearts seemed rather out of place and even the boy couldn’t hold back a smile.

The first photo shows a projection of the title slide on the ceiling of the dome. And thus that was how we spent an hour of star-gazing, on our backs with a projection of the nightsky against the ceiling of the dome. We were told stories such as the cowherd and the weaving maiden, the Pleaiades and of course, the story of Orion and the Scorpio.

And that was how I spent my first Valentine’s Day. Quiet, low-key and educational. And it suited me just fine.

How did you end up spending your Valentine’s Day?

Satin

I’m back!

It’s been rather quiet around here, and I must admit, life took over and for awhile there I found myself unable to breathe.

Starting a new job, a new routine, in a new state and essentially a new life became my only focus. I could think of nothing except how exhausted I was, how much I had to do, and the list went on. My mind was too crowded to accomodate blogging, and thus my beloved blogs (and you, my readers, as a result) went neglected.

But I won’t say I am sorry. As that is what happens. We are not perfect, I am not a blogging machine and these things happen.

For awhile there, I contemplated giving up blogging. I contemplated giving up this ‘hobby’ that I’ve been doing for almost 10 years, this ‘past time’ in which I had poured my heart and soul into. My heart, mind, life were too full and I wondered if I would ever have the space for blogging once more. I asked myself the crucial question: Why am I blogging?.

I think it is important, from time to time, to ask yourself the hard questions that nobody else wants to ask. To go back to basics, and ask why this blog exist in the first place. Where I once had a crystal clear answer, this time I struggled with my answers and while I was waging this war within me, I knew that I could not return to writing on my blog as my voice would not ring true and clear.

The answer came to me, as clear as day when I sat down to help a few other bloggers with their blogs. I blog because I love sharing my experiences and my knowledge. I blog because I know that we all make mistakes, and I hope that you are able to learn from mine while laughing with me at them. I blog because it brings me joy. I blog because of you.

And with that knowledge, I smiled.

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An Alternative Valentine’s Day – what are you doing for Vday?

Being in a relationship on Valentine’s Day isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Once you’ve opened your overpriced card, soon to be wilted flowers and chocolates, it’s just another normal day isn’t it? Perhaps we sound a little harsh? Not at all, it’s just that those three words can sometimes feel a little forced with such clichéd gifts. This year, why not indulge in something a little different – something a bit personal with the one you love. Take a look at some of the Valentine’s Day options that don’t involve ill-chosen women’s fashion or dodgy perfume from your partner…

Take part in a class
Learning a new skill, such as wine tasting, cheese sampling and so on, is a really great way to enjoy a new kind of date night. Not only will you get to sample the finest delicacies, you’ll be taught by professionals and become experts in your chosen class!

Weekend Away
Valentine’s Day falls on a Thursday this year but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a weekend of it. Why not pack your things and go for a romantic weekend away somewhere; be it the Lake District, London or Paris.

Spa Break
If you can’t make a weekend away then how about booking the day off work and heading to a spa for a day of pampering? What could be more relaxing than indulging in an all over body massage or facial with that special someone in your life?

Volunteer as a couple
How about doing something truly altruistic this Valentine’s Day and volunteer with your partner? There are so many volunteering opportunities to choose from so this will really depend on your personal interests. A coastal clear up is a great way to spend the day on the beach with your partner, as well as feeling rejuvenated with all the fresh sea air you’ll be getting – not to mention the great feeling of knowing you’re helping to make a difference!

Tree Planting
Forget roses, get closer to horticulture this Valentine’s Day and plant a tree. Planting a tree is not only more environmentally friendly, but it will last much longer than a bunch of roses. It’s also a lovely token of your love, as it will last long after you’re both gone.

What do you think? Can you recommend any other alternative Valentine’s Day date ideas?

Image credit: madlyinlovewithlife

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