Friday, October 26, 2012

iherb haul

This is my second iherb purchase. My first purchase was some real techniques brushes. I'm trialling them now so look out for a review.

I love the packaging of iherb. Although not presentable it's environmentally concious. Something I have a slight passion for.
Box is 100% post consumer recycled cardboard. The 'filler' is probably recycled brown paper. I really like this compared to SaSa and BonjourHK because they use those pesky foam peanuts which is not recyclable or biodegradable. I've once ordered a single NARS blush from SaSa and I had to dig out an entire box full of peanuts to get to my blush.

I love how they use egg carton paper for the large bottles compared to plastic bubble wrap. Good for the environment. The carton can be easily recycled or pour some potting mix into it and grow some herbs.*End Enviroment talk*
Avalon Organics Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner

Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Serum and Cream, NOW Lutein Ester (pills to support eye health)

Look out for these future reviews. I'll need some time to trial them. Lately I feel that SKII and Vitacreme B12 is not working that well for me, or my skin has become too adjusted and therefore little effect. 

If Anyone is interested in getting some organic things from iherb they have $10 of the first order of $10 or $5 off smaller orders. Shipping is cheap too =)
use code: RSM185
*non-sponsored post* I'm just a bit of a green geek 8)

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Bonjour HK haul

L-R: MISSHA Signature Wrinkle Filler BB Cream*, SK-II Skin Signature Eye Cream*, ESTEE LAUDER Perfectionist Serum*, AURA by SWAROVSKI Perfume x 2, SHO BI Decorative Eyelash in Play Cute #2, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO incanto pour homme perfume, MAJOLICA MAJORCA Lash Gorgeous and Lash Glamour, Benefit Slant Powder Brush

*for my mum =)

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Vintage Look Luggage Collection

I've been obsessed with vintage look trunks for quite some time now. My dream suitcase is one by Globe Trotter, in Safari 21" carry on because I don't want baggage handlers to throw my suitcase around and wreck it. This has happened to me before =(
But.....It's around $1000 and hard for me to get in Australia. I did manage to find something like the one below a couple years ago on brandsexclusive.com.au. However, it was $299 discounted!! The original was something around $600. Not worth it in my opinion. Ebay was around $250 at the time but not including the little trunk. Just found out that GMarket has these but shipping would be expensive. 

At the beginning of this year I managed to get one at a price I was willing to pay. It was from ASOS and it was also my first ASOS purchase
I'm not in love with the tartan exterior for this one but it was the style of suitcase I wanted. Also, how many luggage stores would well these types of suitcases at a reasonable price?

After a mini holiday last week I decided to keep searching for more suitcases (I don't know why I have this urge to buy more suitcases considering there is over 10 in my house). I managed to find the suitcase I want at a price I was willing to pay. Not my ideal choice of colour combination but it was the best out of the available 3 (black, hot pink or leopard print with hot pink trims). Got it from topbuy.com.au. I paid $110 all up and it was delivered in 1 day!!! Also signed up to their newsletter to get a $10 coupon. 

Carryon luggage and beauty trunk

 Inside the large trunk

Combination lock and 'dummy' magnetic straps

Luggage Tag for carryon

Wheel and 'feet' up close

Both have their own protective bag

Inside the beauty trunk

Short and long shoulder straps for the beauty trunk

Short strap is used to hold the beauty trunk to the carryon

Features: *from the site*
Upright Hard Case 54cm (21')
  • Telescopic handle
  • Handle: Top and side carry handles
  • Internal fastening straps
  • Wheels: 2 x Rear wheels
  • 1 x Main compartment secured with two combination locks and magnetic fasteners on buckle strap
  • 1 x Internal mesh zippered pocket
  • 1 x Removable toiletry bag
  • Interior: Fully lined
  • Colour: Black with white stitch detailing
  • Weight:3.5 kg
  • Dimensions: (W) 34cm x (D) 20cm x (H) 54cm
Small Toiletries Case 31cm (12')
  • Handles: Side handle and detachable shoulder
  • 1 x Main compartment secured with one combination locks and magnetic fasteners on buckle strap
  • 1 x Internal mesh zippered pocket
  • Interior: Fully lined
  • Colour: Black with white stitch detailing 
  • Weight: 1.1kg
  • Dimensions: (W) 31.5cm x (D) 12cm x (H) 22cm

I love the luggage but given the weight and depending on which airplane carrier you're flying with the maximum weight of your contents is restricted to 3.5 - 6.5 kg. Which isn't much. For a frequent flyer this luggage is not useful as the weight of it will take up the majority of your baggage allowance. For an occasional flyer it's fun to take around and you can store the majority of your luggage in your check-in bag. I would recommend this for road trips or it could be used as a picnic trunk. 

Pros
Unique design
Vintage chic
Reasonably priced

Cons
Heavy
Not much weight left over for contents

Thursday, September 27, 2012

MARC BY MARC JACOBS baby dave in rose gold

Hello!

I was browsing on shopbop.com to see if they had any new style of watches in. I instantly fell in love with the new baby dave watches by MARC by MARC JACOBS. I've been wanting a rose gold watch for a long time now because all the ones I own are silver. I quickly added this to my cart and checked out before it sold out. I ordered this on a Friday night Sydney time and got it Monday afternoon! I'm quite impressed with the delivery. 

Here are some close up pictures of the watch. The watch face is quite big and takes up 90% of my wrist but I don't mind. It's a statement piece to me. 


In the box - New style I guess. I have another watch by MARC JACOBS and it's cylindrical.

Well packaged by Shopbop.

Back view and a look at how the clasp/band is. 

Love the little detail on the time adjuster.

I think these are all the available colours. (image credits to their original owners)


Do you guys like the new baby dave? Which colours do you like?

Friday, September 21, 2012

Spring Scent: CHANEL

Like any girl I love perfume. My favourites would be citrus-florals followed by fruity florals and vanilla. I've noticed that as I've gotten older I'm becoming more into sensual, woody scents. I use to dislike CHANEL No.5 but it's grown on me.

A few months ago I caved in and bought a perfume on my wish list. I've been saving it for spring because this scent definitely evokes spring.

CHANEL CHANCE EAU TENDRE 

I also managed to get Gucci by GUCCI SPORT pour homme. My local Priceline had it on sale for $10!! My boyfriend needed a new fragrance anyways so I picked this one over the BANG by MARC JACOBS. Now I wished I had picked up both. He did say that this Gucci one doesn't last long on his skin compared to his light blue by Dolce and Gabbana (my favourite mens perfume). 

Next on my list is DIOR addict 2 then maybe a more mature CHANEL when I'm older. 

What's on your perfume wish list?

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Review/Swatches: BOURJOIS PARIS Little Round Pots of Parisian Charm

I was browsing my local Priceline and stumbled upon this set individual eyeshadows by BOURJOIS. Individually they are $20 but all 3 was $25.

All these eyeshadows are mineral eyeshadows with a pearlescent finish. The set comes in a chocolate brown (74),  champagne beige (08) and pearly white (90). Each can be used individually or combined together to do a nice nude look. The colours in set son't have chunky glitter which I like. I especially like the white eyeshadow as it can be used as a highlighter. These are so smooth, blendable and well pigmented. 

Swatches on each finger
L-R: 74, 08, 90.

Blended out

Blended out but more and on my paler arm

Pros:
Smooth
Blendable
Pigmented
Each pot has a lot of product

Cons:
More expensive compared to other drug store products
Bulky container
Weird placement of applicator

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

NOTD: Belle Vista

Sportsgril NAIL IT! in Belle Vista on all nails. Covergirl disco dazzle on tip of ring finger

Saturday, September 8, 2012

NARS blush: Desire review

I've been accumulating matte blushes lately. My latest one is one by NARS in Desire.
I would describe the colour as a barbie pink bordering neon. The colour is a bit darker than the photo in real life. At first I was very surprised by the colour, but when I applied some it looked very natural.

I've applied some on my outer cheek bones. The camera has washed away some colour. I applied a tiny dab...that's how good the colour pay-off is. 

Pros
Highly pigmented 
Smooth
Easy to blend and build up

Cons
Packaging gets dirty easily
Expensive...but a little does go a long way

Friday, September 7, 2012

Nail Polish Haul and some Sportsgirl nail polish swatches

Just a minor nail polish haul. This is what I got over the past 5 months. 

L-R: Sportsgirl NAIL IT! in Blossom, Belle Vista and Peachy Keen, CHANEL Gold Shimmer, Oroton mini nail set, ulta3 red glitter and Rimmel Aye, Aye Sailor. 

I'm unsure of the colour names of the Oroton set because I bought it in June at the factory outlets. The pink one is a bubblegum pink with tiny gold shimmers and the silver is a shiny matte shimmer...does that make sense? The clear one is a top coat. 

I've been buying more Sportsgirl nail polishes recently. It's an Australian fashion brand much like the UK's topshop. Personally I think the nail polish quality is great for the price and I usually don't put a top coat because they don't really need it. They apply smoothly and don't chip as quick, unlike some OPI ones I've had. 

Over the years the packaging has changed. They originally had black lids (the pink and sky blue one), but switched to the cylindrical bottles then back to the standard polish bottle but with silver lids. All the cylindrical ones are my sister's. 

This is my collection so far. 

Some swatches of my the most recent purchases. These are still available in store. 
L-R: Blossom, Peachy Keen and Belle Vista. Blossom and Peachy Keen are a bit darker than the swatch pictures in real life but the Belle Vista is true to colour. It has fine glitter and reminds me of clear blue skies. 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Current Obsession: scented candles

I've been stocking up on scented candles lately. I got some from IKEA because they've just lowered their prices on the "tindra" ones. However, when I burn them the fragrance is not strong to fill the whole room but the price is very reasonable. The one in the candy jar glass is vanilla scented and the fragrance is strong. The jar is also very lovely and suits the decor of my room.


When the candle is all burnt out I like to reuse the jar to store my bracelets. I've repurchased these ones 5 times now. I got it from Habitania which is a home wares store. It's one of my favourite places to shop.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Thursday, August 16, 2012

PLAY Comme des Garçons knitwear guide

Winter is almost over in Australia but the weather is still chilly and unpredictable in Sydney. A jacket or thick cardigan is essential for those unpredictable days. What has been staples in my winter wardrobe are my PLAY Comme des Garçons cardigans. They are 100% wool, made in Japan  and in my opinion will always be in fashion because they are so simple, suit many trends, unisex and so versatile.


I first noticed this brand on a shirt that NEYO was wearing on a YouTube video (I usually notice weird little details). Initially I didn't know the brand but on a holiday shopping in Hong Kong I stumbled upon a pop up store because I had noticed the logo.

I wanted more of these cardigans but there was no store in Sydney that I knew that stocked this brand. Hence I started to search on eBay. However, on eBay there are so many fakes of this brand selling at only $30! Which is way below their recommended retail price. I did manage to acquire more of these cardigans through reference with the one I already owned and through communication with the seller. I'm posting a general guide to authenticating PLAY knitwear. For reference my cardigans are all crew neck.

Crew necks have 6 button holes and 7 buttons (1 is spare)

The spare button is attached to the care instruction tag. The tag would have a stamp in kanji. Also attached is spare thread

Buttons are mother of pearl and NOT plastic

Care instructions in English and French. Dry Clean Only.

Warning and more care instructions. The wool is thick and the quality of the fabric is noticeable. 

The underside of where the buttons and buttonholes are placed have a cross grain ribbon lining.

Hope this helps for those who are planning on getting some knitwear online. Make sure you ask for plenty of photos from the seller. For me these cardigans are worth every cent because I've worn them so many times.