WEEK IN REVIEW // 14

A week of 'back to basics', shall we say? I'll make this short and sweet, because it hasn't been an eventful week...not really. It's been so busy that I haven't made too much of an effort - if I'm completely honest, most of the week (bar one or two days) was spent in pyjamas, chained to my desk, attempting to meet deadlines for my diploma work and camp-planning! (Sidenote: I have newfound respect for camp-planners - I had no idea just how much work and dedication actually goes into it!) I've also been doing a bit of retail therapy... I try not to spend too much, but I'd rather purchase items during the sales than regretting it later when the sale is over! Here is a little snapshot of what I got up to:
Just Jeans Portland Pea Coat - I'd been eyeing this coat since I first saw it, and finally succumbed when I saw there was a further 25% off the already discounted price. I love the cherry red colour - especially since all three of my coats are either black or navy. It's quite similar to another coat I own, but different enough to justify purchasing.

Wittner 'Ignite' loafers in White - I snapped these up when I saw they'd been further discounted - white is such a nice alternative to black, especially when so much of my wardrobe is comprised of dark hues, such as navy (no kidding, my whole wardrobe is practically navy!). Admittedly, I've always been a bit scared of white shoes - or rather, getting them dirty (being rather perfectionistic, as well), but I figure I'd take the chance (I'm a big girl now, after all!). I really like Wittner, as they carry shoes small enough for my tiny feet - size 35 and 36 are dang near impossible to find elsewhere! I've don't need anymore heels, so I figure I'd add another pair of flats into my rotation.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard - This baby is finally mine! I'd toyed with purchasing it for a loooong time (almost doing so on several occasions), and when I finally went to do so, my local Mecca Cosmetica was out of stock! They told me it would most likely be a fortnight until they received more stock, so I was surprised to receive a call saying they'd gotten more stock in, just four days later. So far it lives up to the hype and I'm quite pleased with it - it's opaque, a great colour match, long-lasting, easy to blend, doesn't crease, applies like a dream, and a little goes a long way. Pretty much ticks all the boxes! Part of its appeal is its relatively affordable price - a mere $35 compared to the US RRP of $29USD, which is surprising, given that most of their products are outrageously more expensive here.

Teacup + Choc Chip Chai T2 Tea - This has been such a lovely comfort as the weather cools down. I enjoy it as a mid-morning or late afternoon pick-me-up, mixed together with Creme Brûlée, with a dash of carnation milk and a sprinkling of sugar. Mmmmmm.

...And last but not least, my perennial favourites that you're probably quite familiar with by now:

Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light tinted sunscreen / Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm

What did you get up to this week?
Have you been taking advantage of the EOFY sales too? x

WEEK IN REVIEW // 10

A week of chillin', adventurous foodie-ing, catchups with friends, and sneaky purchases.

The goods:
Wittner Kissable Heels in Nude Patent Leather - These were my sneaky purchase this week. With all the 'EoFYS' and 'Mid-year Clearances', it's been pretty tough not to cave! I was drawn to the cutouts, which are a little out of the ordinary, the comfy block heel, and the pretty shade of nude (the photos don't do it justice). Seeing as I don't have any pairs of nude heels, I figured it was justified. (Right? RIGHT?!) These may just become the nude counterpart to my favourite black Wittner heels - only time will tell!

Nuxe Rêve de Miel - This has been my lip balm of choice this week. It seemed to be a good match for the citrus tart we had for dessert last night... Last week I mentioned my first impressions, but you can check out the full, non-abbreviated, updated post here.

Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light SPF 30+ - I've found this to be lovely for the cooler, windier weather, as it is hydrating and illuminating - plus, it's got SPF, which is a must! This has been my fave 'face base' of late. See it in action here and here.

bareMinerals Correcting Concealer in Medium 2, MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NC30 and Ecotools Airbrush Concealer Brush - Lately I've been struggling with my concealer options, as I'm in need of something more hydrating as my skin becomes drier. I only just got the Correcting Concealer, and I find it to be quite thick and creamy, though I'm on the fence about its cream-to-powder finish. With my usual MAC concealer, I've been experimenting with different methods of application. I've been testing out various tools, such as fingers, the Ecotools Deluxe Concealer Brush, and the Ecotools Airbrush Concealer Brush, which is excellent for diffusing harsh lines and preventing an unsightly almost 'streaky' finish. I'm still eyeing NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, but I might make that my last resort.

And I thought I'd also do a little throwback to when the weather was warmer, and the skies less grey, as the rain falling outside it making this Winter seem rather dreary already...

This photo was taken by my talented pal, Chris (who started his own photography company, Too'Eazy Photography), on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in April. Ah, I'm wishing we still had that lovely summery breeze.

Hope you're enjoying the long weekend (if you're in Aus)!
What was the highlight of your week? x

WEEK IN REVIEW // 7

A hectic week of catch-ups with friends, and several attempts at eyeshadow...

Nike Free Run 5.0+ Shield running shoes - I've been enjoying wearing these lately, as they're ridiculously comfy, and waterproof too - and they're neutral enough to go with most of my wardrobe.

Divergent series by Veronica Roth - I've heard many rave reviews about this series, so I thought I'd add it to my collection when I spotted them on sale at Dymocks. I'm still not sure if I'm emotionally ready to become attached to another series, though!

Ecoya Sweet Apricot and Orange Blossom and Sweet Pea and Jasmine candles - So I caved. Hooray for payday. I wasn't going to, I promise! But it just so happens that when I went for a second sticky beak, I noticed that they were offering a free Sweet Pea and Jasmine Mini Metro Jar with the purchase of a Madison Jar. So in my mind it was justified. And they both smell delightful!

With my recent eyeshadow attempts: one, two, and three, I've been digging out previous purchases and old favourites - L'oreal Color Infallible Eyeshadow in 33 Tender Caramel, Avon Ultra Luxury Eyeliner in 100 Eggplant, and Rimmel ScandalEyes Eye Shadow Stick in 03 Bad Girl Bronze. I'm looking forward to getting more use out of these!

And still going strong from last week: Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner Palette in 20 Naturally Glamorous and Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream. I'd also like to revise what I said last week regarding Nivea's lip butter (see link above) - it's not only the amount used, but also method of application: I find that I get the best results (i.e. no white cast, no weird layer sitting on top of the lips) when I use a small amount and keep smoothing it over the lips until it has melted in. I've also found that it makes a great 'treatment' before applying lip colour.

What were your weekly loves?